UU researcher to advise on Kosovo taxation

A University of Ulster researcher is set to advise the emerging democracy of Kosovo on the implementation a new property tax system.

Dr William McCluskey, Reader in the School of the Built Environment, flies out to Kosovo this week to work with international consultants BearingPoint on the USAID funded Kosovo Economic Development Initiative.

His role will involve research into the major problems facing successful implementation of the property tax system. “This project represents an exciting opportunity for the University to participate in creating a framework to assist the government in Kosovo administer and maintain a local property tax,” he said.

With the ending of the war in the region in 1999, Kosovo was granted an Interim Civilian Administration by the United Nations. This administration was tasked with introducing a land and property tax system to raise revenue for the newly instituted local governments.

Dr McCluskey will also be involved in advising government officials on tax policy and in developing a program of capacity building to ensure that the tax will be sustainable over the medium to long term.

(MB/SP)