Payroll Tax Specialist

Payroll Tax Specialist at homebase. About the role Homebase is launching a dedicated Payroll Tax function within its Payroll Care Team, focusing on the intricate and essential elements of payroll taxation. This position plays a vital role in addressing customer tax notices, uncovering underlying issues, and collaborating with payroll partners to implement effective solutions. As the primary authority on payroll tax matters, you will transform a backlog of notices into an organized, resolved, and well-documented process. Key facts Location: Houston Engagement: Full-time, Hybrid (Monday-Thursday in-office) Compensation: Stock options, 401(k) with 4% match Team: Payroll Operations What you'll do Serve as the initial contact for all incoming payroll tax notices, assessing and investigating each case thoroughly. Deliver prompt and clear responses to customers to establish trust and ensure transparency. Cross-check notices against customer tax profiles, payroll history, and filing records to pinpoint root causes of issues. Collaborate with internal payroll operations teams to facilitate timely resolutions of tax-related matters. Maintain oversight of open notices in the ticketing system, tracking resolution timelines and identifying systemic issues for escalation to the Product team. Request penalty abatements, draft necessary correspondence for agencies, and keep detailed documentation for each case handled. Create scalable documentation, operational playbooks, and standards for the expanding Payroll Tax function. Prepare customers for their first filing quarter by explaining the filing lifecycle and addressing any potential blockers. Conduct quarterly reviews of accounts to ensure accuracy of TPA/POA, agency IDs, and applicable rates. Monitor year-end risk factors, such as changes in ownership or shareholder status and adjustments in compensation. Assist customers with inquiries related to quarter-end variances and reconcile payroll updates with tax filings. Act as an internal expert for customers entering new jurisdictions, offering guidance on registration processes. Keep an updated tracker of agency-specific requirements, including filing rates and TPA/POA details. Support the maintenance of a compliance calendar, ensuring customers meet their obligations without providing direct advice or completing registrations. Review accounts for early warning signs, such as blocked accounts or outdated rates, and escalation risks to relevant stakeholders before they impact customers. Work closely with the broader Payroll Care Team to identify and address recurring issues across the customer portfolio. Requirements A minimum of 3-5 years of payroll tax experience in a multi-state setting, ideally within a payroll service provider or SaaS environment. Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, including withholding, FUTA/SUI, quarterly and annual filings, as well as W-2/W-2C corrections and tax registrations. Practical experience in managing and resolving tax notices issued by state and federal agencies. Familiarity with TPA/POA processes and the specific filing requirements of various jurisdictions. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of simplifying complex compliance issues for small business owners. Comfortable engaging directly with customers in diverse scenarios. Highly organized and methodical, able to juggle multiple open issues across various accounts and agencies. Demonstrated ability to identify systemic challenges and suggest scalable process enhancements. Proficient in Excel and experienced with payroll systems and reporting tools. Nice to have CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or FPC designation, or significant progress towards certification. Experience with SQL or scripting for automating reports. Skills & tools Proficient in Excel Familiar with payroll systems Experienced with reporting tools Knowledgeable in AI tools Practical notes Benefits include medical, dental, vision, FSA options, flexible paid time off, company holidays, paid parental leave (after six months), life insurance, and disability coverage. The company promotes a "Work From Anywhere Month" and designates meeting-free weeks throughout the year. Workspace perks consist of provided meals, commuter benefits, team offsite events, and Customer Days. Employees have access to paid AI tools for development and experimentation. The interview process involves discussions with Talent Acquisition, the Hiring Manager, a Talent Showcase, and meetings with cross-functional partners. #J-18808-Ljbffr homebase