What you will learn
The significance of property tax revenues in local finance varies widely across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and many of these countries feel the need to increase revenues. Countries that are thinking about adopting a modern property tax system are still pondering the ‘right model’ -- models range from the traditional area-based to ad valorem systems. Some countries that are using area-based systems are content with high revenue yields, but others that are generating low revenues are eager to move to a market value system in search of higher revenues. Adoption of ad valorem models, however, has not always produced the expected increase in revenues and, at the same time, has imposed political and technical costs of reassessment. In the host country of Slovenia, the move towards ad valorem taxation has provoked a constitutional dispute that can potentially undermine the property tax system. Slovenia is thus concerned with constitutional and political challenges to modernizing its property tax system. Moreover, there is a sense of urgency in many CEE countries to reform their property taxes. In this context, they are interested in comparing and evaluating different options for reform.
How you will benefit
This experience-sharing workshop is to help determine what should be done in CEE countries to prevent and avoid potential constitutional challenges that endanger efforts of modernization of property tax systems including reassessment and revaluation issues that arise with ad valorem reforms. Embarking on the modernization path requires formulation of well articulated strategic reform process, as well as adoption of transparent and simplified enabling legislative and regulatory framework. The Workshop is to help formulate modernization strategies and enabling frameworks through sharing of global experience and comparison of efforts being undertaken in the CEE region.
Who should attend
The Workshop will be devoted to issues faced by central policy makers and local government authorities. The event has been designed for professionals working on policy issues in this field and representatives of local communities, being most commonly recipients of revenues from property taxation.
In view of the interactive nature of the event, it will be helpful if participants have a good command of the English language as there are no interpretation services planned.
