Arjen Schep has been reappointed as Professor by special appointment of Local Government Taxes at the Department of Law & Tax from 1 January 2024 onwards. Having held this chair since early 2020, Schep will continue to do so for the next four years. The chair within the Department of Law & Tax, of which Schep will also assume the role of chairman from 1 January 2024, is made possible by the J.H. Christiaanse Foundation.
Within the professorship of Local Government Taxes, Schep will continue researching the taxes imposed by local governments and the valuation of real estate, both within and outside the Netherlands. His research particularly concentrates on property tax as a means of revenue generation in developing countries, local taxes and sustainability, and local financing instruments for area transformation.
Schep comments on his reappointment: “Local tax imposition is closely tied to citizens and businesses, whether paying for parking in the city or the annual valuation of your property for property tax purposes. As the only Professor of Local Government Taxes in the Netherlands, the media quickly turn to you for issues like significant rate differences between municipalities or many objections against property tax assessments. The professorship I am fortunate to occupy once again in the coming years is not only unique due to its focus on local taxes but also because of its connection with the Erasmus Study Centre for Local Government Taxes (ESBL). Through the study centre, we conduct contract research. Last year, for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, we examined the role that business investment zones can play in the sustainability of industrial areas. Currently, we are collaborating with the University of Groningen and TU Delft to study the introduction of a land value capture tax and a land tax. These instruments are designed to counteract land speculation and price the underutilisation of building land to facilitate housing construction in the Netherlands. Contributing to this with our small team is incredibly relevant and rewarding. Additionally, I can directly incorporate the insights gained from the research into the courses in the bachelor’s and master’s programs of our tax education in which I am involved.”
In addition to his professorship and role as the chair of the Department of Law & Tax, Schep will continue his duties as the scientific director of the Erasmus Study Centre for Local Government Taxes.
The Board of Erasmus School of Law congratulates Arjen Schep on his reappointment and wishes him success in his endeavours.
- Professor