Payroll Tax Analyst

About the role

You will validate every payroll tax calculation, filing, and payment to ensure strict adherence to federal, state, and local statutory regulations. You will research and interpret complex and evolving payroll tax laws, providing clear guidance to Finance and HR on the implications of new policies or program changes. This role requires you to prepare comprehensive reports that detail tax liabilities, labor costs, and emerging tax trends for leadership review. You will support and lead internal and external payroll tax audits, managing detailed documentation and driving remediation of identified issues. You will develop, implement, and maintain robust internal controls to support audit cycles and ensure SOX compliance within the payroll function. You will oversee the end-to-end US bi-weekly payroll processing as a critical backup to the Payroll Specialist role. You will act as the subject matter expert, maintaining deep knowledge of local, state, and federal payroll tax and wage and hour laws to recommend proactive policy changes.

Key facts

What you'll do

Analyze and validate all payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments to confirm accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Research and interpret intricate changes in federal, state, and local payroll tax legislation, advising stakeholders on financial and operational impacts.

Prepare detailed reports for Finance and leadership that highlight tax liabilities, labor cost trends, and compliance metrics.

Support the execution of internal and external payroll tax audits by organizing documentation, tracking issues, and monitoring remediation progress.

Develop and maintain stringent payroll tax controls to ensure readiness for audit cycles and adherence to SOX requirements.

Oversee the complete US bi-weekly payroll processing cycle, ensuring accuracy and timeliness as a backup to the Payroll Specialist.

Ensure strict compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal payroll tax and wage and hour laws through continuous monitoring and assessment.

Manage complex and escalated employee inquiries regarding payroll, interpreting dense policy and regulation to deliver accurate resolutions.

Design, implement, and monitor key internal controls while preparing thorough documentation to support external audit activities.

Create and maintain comprehensive, auditable payroll tax process documentation and training materials for internal use.

Act as the primary owner for SOX and internal audit compliance within the payroll tax function, driving continuous improvement.

Lead and execute strategic special projects, such as system implementations or expansions into new jurisdictions, as assigned by the Payroll Manager.

Collaborate cross-functionally with Tax, Accounting, and HR departments to reconcile payroll tax accounts and ensure alignment with general ledger entries.

Monitor and oversee year-end tax processing activities, including W-2 and W-2C generation, balancing, and timely filing with federal and state agencies.

Serve as the main point of contact for third-party payroll tax providers, managing vendor relationships and monitoring service level agreements.

Execute and document complex tax adjustments, including gross-ups, fringe benefit taxations, and relocation-related tax treatments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with 3+ years of progressive experience in a multi-state payroll tax environment or related field.

Demonstrated experience managing the full lifecycle of US payroll tax compliance, including filings, payments, and year-end reporting.

Proven ability to research, interpret, and apply complex federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and regulations.

Strong expertise in payroll tax compliance and SOX controls within a multi-state US payroll environment.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills required to advise stakeholders and manage escalated employee inquiries.

Ability to exercise independent judgment to analyze issues, assess impacts, and recommend solutions in ambiguous situations.

Experience with payroll tax process documentation, audit support, and vendor management is essential.

Working knowledge of payroll systems and tax calculation methodologies is required for effective execution of duties.

Nice to have

Experience with system implementations or projects related to payroll tax technology.

Familiarity with specific payroll tax compliance tools or regulatory platforms.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in the United States.

The role may require occasional travel as needed for audits or project work.

Visa sponsorship information is not available in the source document.

Applicants must meet the stated educational and experience requirements as listed.