Payroll Tax Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

NOTE: This is a full-time position and will be on-site at our corporate headquarters in Franklin, TN. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

This is a PAYROLL TAX role and not a Workday position. If your background is as a Workday analyst, that is not the profile we are seeking for this role.

Job Summary:  The Payroll Tax Specialist is responsible for ensuring accurate calculation, reporting, and compliance of payroll taxes across multiple jurisdictions. This role requires expertise in multi-state tax regulations, system configuration, and payroll processes. The Payroll Tax Specialist serves as a subject matter expert, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws while supporting payroll operations and continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Tax Administration:

• Manage and administer payroll tax processes, including calculation, withholding, reporting, and reconciliation of federal, state, and local taxes.
• Ensure timely and accurate filing of payroll tax returns and payments.
• Maintain tax account registrations and ensure proper setup in payroll systems.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with multi-state payroll tax laws and regulations.
• Research and resolve tax discrepancies, notices, penalties, and audits across jurisdictions.
• Track legislative changes and implement required updates to payroll processes and systems.

System Management (Workday & ADP):

• Configure and maintain payroll tax settings within Workday and/or ADP systems.
• Partner with HRIS and Payroll teams to ensure proper tax setup and system functionality.
• Support system updates, patches, and testing related to payroll tax changes.
• Perform regular payroll tax reconciliations on a monthly, quarterly, and year-end basis.
• Prepare and validate W-2s and other year-end tax documentation.
• Analyze payroll tax data to identify discrepancies and ensure data accuracy.

Audit & Compliance Support:

• Respond to tax notices, audits, and inquiries from government agencies.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation for compliance and audit purposes.
• Support internal and external audit processes related to payroll tax.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll tax processes, controls, and efficiencies.
• Develop and maintain documentation for payroll tax procedures and workflows.
• Ensure adherence to internal controls and data governance standards.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of payroll tax experience, including multi-state payroll tax compliance.
• Hands-on experience with Workday Payroll and/or ADP.
• Experience handling payroll tax filings, reconciliations, and audits.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Proficiency in payroll systems such as Workday and ADP, along with tax reporting tools.
• Advanced Excel skills, including data analysis, pivot tables, and reconciliations.
• Experience using tax research tools and government agency portals.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage deadlines and multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and collaboration skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• Experience working in multi-entity or large, complex organizations.
• Familiarity with payroll audits, SOC controls, and compliance frameworks.