As of 1 June 2025, the endowed chair in Local Government Taxes at Erasmus School of Law has been converted into a regular chair, on which Arjen Schep has been reappointed. Schep has held the endowed chair within the Department of Law & Tax, of which he is also chairman, since 2020.
Local taxation is closely connected to citizens and businesses. Whether it concerns paying for city parking via a mobile parking app or the annual property valuation (WOZ) of residential homes, it is a field that concerns almost everyone and to which Schep has dedicated himself for more than 25 years now. His research is increasingly situated at the intersection of sustainability and local taxes, such as the study How Taxes of Local Governments Can Contribute to Climate Goals. Much of the research takes place within the Erasmus Study Centre for Taxes of Sub Central Governments (ESBL), of which Schep is scientific director. The chair and ESBL are financially supported by the J.H. Christiaanse Foundation, in which a number of local governments are represented.
The impact of local taxes at a national and international scale
As Professor, Schep will continue to focus on research into local government taxes. In doing so, he will pay particular attention to three research themes: property taxes in low-income countries, local taxes and sustainability, and local funding instruments for area development. Schep will continue his efforts to further put ESBL on the map as the knowledge and research centre in the field of local taxes. In doing so, he will work with VNG international to develop theories on the introduction and reform of property taxes in low-income countries. Schep also seeks connection with legal practice, with ESBL mainly conducting third-party research mostly for ministries and local authorities.
"Local taxation affects us all. That is why that all kinds of connections can be made from this field of taxation to current social issues, whether they concern making business parks more sustainable, stimulating housing construction or economic development of cities in developing countries. The conversion of the chair into a regular chair allows me to extend research lines beyond the four-year term of the endowed chair. This benefits the innovative power of the chair and ESBL," Schep said.
Where Law Meets Business
Scheps approach in which he researches local taxes in the context of major societal issues and legal practice perfectly fits with the Schools motto: Where Law Meets Business.
The Board of Erasmus School of Law congratulates Arjen Schep on his reappointment and wishes him all the best with his activities.
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