1979 Corvette Shell Leads To Surprising Tax Bill For Kansas Man

The 1979 Corvette shell cost $1,000 in 2015. Missing its engine, transmission, and interior, the tax appraiser valued it at $12,000 in 2022.

Like many car enthusiasts, Don Hawley bought a parts car to scavenge parts and keep his classic car on the road. Seeing a cheap way to source replacement parts for his 1979 Chevrolet Corvette, he bought a 1979 Corvette shell in 2015 for $1,000. Since that time, his property tax bill never exceeded $61 on the parts car until this year. That’s when he got a bill for $718.

Hawley’s Corvette parts car is more shell than anything. It has a frame, body, and suspension but no engine or transmission. The gutted interior is missing door panels, instruments, and just about everything else. Up to last year, it had an appraised value of $1,000. But this year, the value jumped to $12,000.

“And then I got this personal property tax bill for $718, and I thought that was pretty unrealistic for a car frame,” Hawley said. “It’s an affordable hobby, but being punished with the taxes, that’s inappropriate,”

A local ABC news affiliate investigated the tax issue and reached out to the Douglas County Kansas Appraiser’s Office. A spokesperson sent the news affiliate a statement explaining their part of the situation:

“The Douglas County Appraiser’s Office sent a Notice of Value Change in May 2022 to all Douglas County residents who own personal property, including Mr. Hawley. Mr. Hawley contacted the Douglas County Appraiser’s Office on Nov. 30, when staff provided instructions about how to complete the Payment Under Protest process.”

According to the Appraiser’s Office, taxpayers are able to appeal or protest a property tax assessment. The appeal process requires submission of a Payment Under Protest application on or before Dec. 20. After that date, taxpayers must file all protest forms when they pay their taxes.

The spokesperson indicated the Appraiser’s Office used the NADA guide, Kansas’ prescribed method of valuation, to determine the Corvette’s value. Prior to the 2022 valuation, the Appraiser’s Office used Hawleys’ original purchase price because it wasn’t able to determine a value for the assessment. Then this year, it was able to locate a value in the NADA guide.

The Appraiser’s Office spokesperson went on to say that Hawley had yet to file an official protest or provide the additional required documentation. they also indicated that he did not file the 2022 Personal Property rendition form, adding additional penalties to the account. Yet they are still willing to review the valuation if Hawley follows the state-mandated procedure and provides additional information to document the condition of the vehicle.

Photos: KMBC 9 News