Over 4 decades of experience in

Revenue Administration and Tax Policy Development

WORK WITH KIERAN

Tax Administration Improvement

Apply best international practices to improve tax administration.

Tax Policy Enhanced

Develop strategies for broadening the tax base whilst keeping tax rates to a minimum.

Combat Corruption

There is no effective tax collection without integrity. Corruption must be combatted at all levels for tax reform to succeed.

Core Skills

  • Spearheaded Transformative Tax Reforms through Creative and Visionary Leadership,

  • Built consensus to advance reforms at the Vice President, Ministerial and Ambassador levels everywhere, and interacted directly with Heads of State in Kiribati, Rwanda, and Burundi, 

  • Successfully Implemented Critical Policy Changes under Significant Duress to Enhance Fiscal Frameworks and Compliance.

  • Deep Understanding of Political Economy,

  • Strong track Record in Improving Revenue Collection and Facilitating Investment and Economic Development,

  • Expertise in Communications, Human Resources Development and Enhancement of IT Systems,

  • Successful Record of Building Capacity and Growing Expertise. 

Featured Project

USAID-DRM4D (Domestic Revenue Mobilization for Development) Activity

As Chief of Party of the USAID-DRM4D Activity in Uganda since January 2020, Kieran Holmes led efforts to enhance tax policy and administration. Highlights include revising tax laws, analyzing Double Taxation Agreements, and conducting assessments on Excise Duty and Tax Expenditures. Kieran facilitated extensive tax policy training, supported the Uganda Revenue Authority, expanded property tax bases in cities, and fostered trust between taxpayers and officials. Kieran also advocated for increased public spending in key sectors.

Experience

Myriad skills are needed for effective tax reform. These will include providing effective leadership and strategic direction to the tax administration, ensuring that the taxpayer base is effectively registered and that the tax base is broadened as much as possible. Many countries have ineffective and costly investment promotion incentives, and these must be critically evaluated to compare costs from revenue foregone with the benefits received. Effective project management is critical as is advising the revenue administration on its optimal structure.

Testimonials

  • Martine Nibasumba

    “I had the immense opportunity to work closely with Kieran when he was the first ever OBR Commissioner General in Burundi. He was able to set up a semi-autonomous tax administration in record time and from scratch, and brought bold and innovative reforms that doubled tax and customs revenues.”

  • Carlos Gutiérrez Puente

    “I have had the pleasure of working closely with Kieran Holmes within the context of a comprehensive USAID assistance project for the Uganda Tax Authorities. As the project lead, Kieran's unwavering commitment and strategic leadership were pivotal to its success.”

  • Magoola Besweri Kalyebbi

    “Kieran leads the fight against corruption and will stop at nothing to engage those concerned, even though the scourge is deep rooted. Kieran has a way with words and the pen and writes as needed to address the needs of the occasion.”

  • Patrick Kandole

    “Kieran Holmes has worked for the USAID-(DRM4D) Activity for over four years. During that time, he exhibited excellent skills and tact in management of tax policy and tax administration issues in a climate high on political-economy challenges.”

  • Modeste Kabaka

    “During our collaboration, Kieran consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership, problem-solving skills, and dedication to our shared objectives. Together, we achieved remarkable successes, overcoming challenges with strategic insight and teamwork.“

  • Philippe Dadour

    “Kieran is an exceptional strategic thinker whose expertise is matched only by his extensive experience in modernizing tax and customs administrations worldwide. “

  • Kevin Colgan

    “Kieran Holmes is a senior expert in taxation administration. He has wide experience in supporting the development and delivery of national tax authorities’ reforms. He is a senior respected advisor to top leadership positions here in Uganda.”

  • Tesfaye Wondim

    “Kieran has a great wealth of knowledge and experience enhanced by his passion for helping developing countries build institutions which could effectively mobilize domestic resources while combatting corruption.”

  • Klaus Gruetjen

    “With his outstanding technical capacities and management skills resulting from a long and various experience, Kieran has successfully assisted several countries in designing and implementing important and complex reforms of their respective revenue systems.”