Payroll Tax Associate

Payroll Tax Associate

The Payroll Tax Associate is responsible for supporting all aspects of payroll tax processing, compliance, and reporting to ensure accurate and timely execution of payroll tax obligations. This role is focused on payroll tax compliance, reconciliation, and issue resolution, including direct interaction with federal, state, and local tax authorities. The Payroll Tax Associate ensures the accuracy of payroll tax data, maintains proper tax setup, and proactively identifies and resolves discrepancies.

What You Will Do:

• Perform payroll tax processing and validation across jurisdictions
• Maintain and review employee tax setup including work/resident jurisdictions and SUI applicability
• Review, research, and respond to payroll tax notices
• Support payroll tax reconciliations including quarterly and year-end balancing
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations
• Maintain understanding of SUI tax rates and account setup
• Assist with payroll tax filings including quarterly returns and W-2/W-2C processing
• Research and resolve payroll tax discrepancies
• Maintain audit-ready payroll tax documentation
• Support internal and external audits
• Collaborate with Finance on general ledger reconciliations
• Recommend process improvements
• Respond to payroll tax inquiries
• Process adjustments, reversals, and amended filings

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma
• 1-3 years of relevant experience
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax compliance and multi-state taxation
• Experience with payroll tax notice review and resolution
• Understanding of SUI tax rates and account management
• Basic understanding of IRS Circular E (Publication 15)
• Understanding of prior quarter adjustments, including identifying discrepancies, processing amended filings (e.g., 941-X), and reconciliation impact
• Experience with payroll tax reconciliations and audit support
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Experience with payroll systems (Workday preferred)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage deadlines
• Strong communication skills with internal and external stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 3-5 years of related experience with multi-state exposure, SUI rate management, and tax notice resolution
• Certifications: FPC, CPP, SHRM-CP, or PHR