Payroll Tax Specialist - EMPOWER

Job Summary:

The Payroll Tax Specialist is responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll tax filings, compliant with federal, state, and local tax regulations, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of changes in payroll tax legislation. This role will work closely with the payroll and finance teams to ensure payroll tax compliance, reporting accuracy, and the resolution of any tax-related issues, with a focus on multi-state payroll tax complexities.

Essential Functions:

• Prepare and submit payroll tax returns at the federal, state, and local levels, ensuring compliance with all relevant tax laws and regulations across multiple states.
• Review payroll tax reports for accuracy and ensure timely filing and payment of all payroll-related taxes, including income tax, unemployment tax, and social security contributions, specifically accounting for multi-state payroll.
• Stay current on changes to payroll tax laws and ensure the company complies with any updates to regulations. Manage and oversee all payroll tax audits.
• Reconcile payroll tax accounts, including quarterly and annual returns, and ensure that discrepancies are identified and resolved promptly.
• Address payroll tax inquiries from employees, providing clear and concise information regarding withholdings, tax forms, and other payroll tax-related matters.
• Notify the systems team of any changes in tax rates or regulations. Collaborate to ensure the system reflects current tax laws.
• Assist with payroll tax audits, including compiling documentation and researching tax-related discrepancies or issues.
• Maintain detailed records of payroll tax activities, filings, and payments, ensuring accuracy and compliance with retention policies.

Additional Responsibilities: 

• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
• Conforms to all applicable Agency policies and procedures.
• Participates actively in continuing education and in-services.
• Maintains confidentiality of business trade practices 

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Organizational skills

• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints, regulatory agencies, or members of the business

community.

• Time management
• Cooperative attitude
• Advanced written and verbal interpersonal communication
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Basic math skills.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and payroll systems
• Attention to detail
• In depth knowledge of payroll tax regulations at the federal, state and local levels across multiple states. 

Minimum Position Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• Experience: 3 -5 years of experience in payroll tax processing, compliance and reporting with multi-state payroll tax knowledge required.
• License / Certification: Certified Payroll Profession (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) a plus. 

Environmental Conditions:

Works in an office setting; ability to work flexible schedule, in an effort to complete projects.  Moderate noise level. 

Physical Requirements: Sitting is required. Requires ability to always handle stressful situations in a calm and courteous manner. Requires working under some stressful conditions to meet deadlines and agency needs. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.