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1. How do I appeal the value of my property?

The notice of your assessed value mailed every spring contains information about the process to appeal your value, or you can contact the Cass County Assessor’s Office year-round at, 218-547-7298 or via email. The Minnesota Department of Revenue also has a fact sheet on this subject to assist found on their website.

2. How do I get a property tax refund?

The property tax refund program is a state program. While we can’t answer questions regarding this program, we can provide a link to the forms and instructions provided by the State of Minnesota.

3. I didn’t pay my taxes last year - now what do I do?

Call the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office at, 218-547-7260, to find out the amount of past-due taxes, which will include late payment penalties and interest. Our staff can advise you on options for payment.

4. I don’t understand how my property taxes are calculated. Where can I find help?

The Minnesota Department of Revenue’s fact sheet website may be of help to you. For individual questions, call the Cass County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office at 218-547-7260.

5. I just retired in Cass County and need to homestead my property here. How do I do that?

File your homestead application with the Cass County Assessor’s Office. Visit the homestead page for more information and an application form.

6. I just sold my property on a Contract for Deed - am I still responsible for the taxes?

Only the new contract holder will receive the annual property tax billing statement, but it is the responsibility of the seller/owner to monitor whether or not the taxes have been paid. The Property Tax Billing and Collection Procedures fact sheet has more information.

7. I’m disabled - am I eligible for a tax reduction?

You may be, depending on your circumstances. Minnesota law gives some property tax relief to qualified blind and disabled persons, and under a separate program, to disabled veterans. The Cass County Assessor’s Office can assist you in determining if you are eligible and with the application process. See the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s fact sheet for more information about the market value exclusion on homestead property of qualifying disabled veterans.

8. I moved - now what do I do?

Call, mail, or email our Address Change Request (Online Form) to the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office as soon as possible to update your address. Failing to provide a current address may cause delays or non-delivery of time-sensitive tax statements and other critical property-related mailings to property owners. 

While no owner names can be changed in property tax records without the recording of a legal document, please provide taxpayer address changes as soon as possible, including addresses in care of other parties.

If you are relocating to Cass County as a permanent resident, register to vote online at the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website, or visit the Elections/Voting pages of the Cass County website.

9. I own a summer business which operates between May and August - when are my taxes due?

Businesses that earn 60 percent of their gross income from May through August have a later due date if a tax deferral form is filled out. Return the Commercial Tax Deferral Form (PDF) to extend the 1st half due date until May 31st for eligible businesses.

10. What’s this refuse management fee on my taxes?

Formerly known as the “solid waste fee”, the refuse management fee is charged to improved real estate and personal property parcels based on building type and classification. The collection of this fee began in 1990 to fund waste disposal and recycling programs in Cass County. The Cass County Board has historically supported a flat fee for funding these necessary services instead of funding these costs through the annual levy. This fee is uniformly applied to all identified improved parcels with an assessed value of at least $1,000, based on the following schedule. More information and the locations of recycling bins and waste disposal transfer stations can be found in the Solid Waste and Recycling document (PDF).

•  Residential & seasonal properties - $66
•  Commercial properties based on building value:     
  •  Under 9,999 - $66
  •  10,000 to 99,999 - $150
  •  100,000 to 499,999 - $300 
  •  500,000 & up - $500
•  Apartment, per unit - $12
•  Non-commercial tax-exempt buildings - $66

11. When are my taxes due?

It varies, depending on the classification of your property:

• Taxes on residential homestead property are due May 15 and October 15. 
  • Resorts have until May 31 to pay. 
• Mobile home taxes are due on August 31 and November 15. 
• Agricultural property taxes are due May 15 and November 15.

12. When do taxes start incurring penalties and can the penalties be waived?

If you pay your first half or second half property tax after the due date, a penalty will be added to your taxes. The later you pay, the greater the penalty. Also, additional interest is charged once the payment remains past due on January 2nd of the following year. See the back of the tax statement for the penalty schedule and more information. Penalties and interest rates are set by state statute.

13. Why did my classification change from Homestead to Non-Homestead?

All questions regarding classification or value can be directed to the Cass County Assessor’s Office.