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World Tax Reviews

Overview

ICON, founded in 1993 after a management buyout from voestalpine AG, is a specialized tax advisory firm with over 100 employees, including 24 certified tax advisors. It offers services across 9 areas such as International Tax, Indirect Tax & Customs, and M&A. Partners Andreas and Matthias Mitterlehner lead the international tax team, while Günther Platzer heads Indirect Tax & Customs. The Vienna office has grown to 23 staff following a recent expansion, reflecting strong regional success and employer appeal. 

During the research period, the firm successfully argued that all Polish and Croatian employees on a UK project were subject to UK payroll tax under OECD rules, requiring retrospective payroll for 150 employees and filing tax returns within 60 days using automated processes and cloud collaboration. In addition, the team assessed that a tax-neutral asset transfer in Poland triggered a taxable gain in Austria due to entity classification differences, raising the question of treaty relief under Article 24(2) of the Austrian-Polish tax treaty. 

Client Feedback 

“ICON is a responsive and well-connected team of experienced professionals who explain complex matters clearly and pragmatically, offering business-minded advice you can rely on.” 

Tax

ICON was founded in 1993 as a highly specialised tax boutique after the tax division of voestalpine was acquired by management. ICON currently employs more than 95 people, 24 of whom are certified tax advisors, and offers services across nine service lines including audit, corporate tax, global employment services, indirect tax and customs, international tax, M&A, transfer pricing, tax controversy and private client. Stefan Bendlinger, senior partner, and Matthias Mitterlehner, partner, lead the international tax team. The indirect tax and customs practice is directed by partner Günther Platzer and has a staff of 15 individuals. Martin Hummer, a tax expert, leads the transfer pricing service line.

During the research period, the firm assisted a private client in the dissolution of a fiscally questionable Cyprus-based tax structure. In addition, the team developed a concept for several large Austrian companies located in the border region to Germany that employers can offer to their employees based in Germany. The model clearly outlines the tax and social security implications of the selected model for both employees and employers.