Part-Time Payroll Tax Specialist

Overview

Remote

Hours: 15–20 hours per week

This role is for a part-time Payroll Tax Specialist supporting a multi-client HR consulting team. The position focuses on payroll tax compliance across multiple jurisdictions, including registrations, agency notices, filing deadlines, and regulatory changes. The specialist will serve as the go-to payroll tax expert for clients, combining technical accuracy with clear client-facing communication.

Schedule: A Monday–Friday schedule is required to stay available to clients. This role is intended for permanent part-time employment and is not a fit for someone balancing another job alongside ours.

Responsibilities

• Register companies for new state and local tax accounts, including SUI, SIT, and applicable local withholding or occupational taxes, as clients expand into new jurisdictions
• Complete manual payroll tax filings and remittances (federal, state, and local) when automated filing isn’t available or when a hands-on correction is needed
• Prepare and file payroll tax returns (Forms 941, 940, and state quarterly/annual returns) and year-end forms (W-2, W-2c) accurately and on time
• Research and resolve complex payroll tax issues, including discrepancies, agency notices, penalty assessments, and filing errors, working directly with the IRS and state/local agencies
• Help clients regain access to locked, suspended, or otherwise inaccessible state and local tax accounts, including navigating agency identity verification and account recovery processes
• Monitor unemployment tax rates and manage SUTA rate changes, voluntary contributions, and rate protests where advantageous to clients
• Serve as a client-facing subject matter expert on payroll tax matters, including advising on withholding elections, multi-state and reciprocity agreements, remote-employee taxation, and reporting requirements
• Reconcile payroll tax liabilities and identify and correct discrepancies before they become filing issues
• Track federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory changes affecting payroll tax, and proactively update clients and internal processes
• Build and maintain strong client relationships by providing responsive, high-quality service on tax-related questions and issues

Requirements

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in payroll tax compliance, ideally supporting multiple clients or entities across many states
• Demonstrated experience registering companies for new-state SUI/SIT and local tax accounts
• Strong working knowledge of federal and state payroll tax regulations (FICA, FUTA, SUTA, state income tax withholding, local taxes)
• Experience researching and resolving payroll tax notices directly with the IRS and state agencies
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now required; familiarity with Paylocity, Gusto, or other payroll/HRIS platforms is a strong plus
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy; comfortable owning compliance deadlines independently
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain tax concepts clearly to non-technical clients
• Ability to work Monday–Friday and flexibility to take on additional hours as client needs arise
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)

Compensation & Benefits

• $32–$40 per hour, based on experience

Location

Remote