Payroll Services Specialist - Remote

Overview

This role supports Payroll Tax Operations (PTO) as a payroll tax professional responsible for the accurate and timely resolution of payroll tax issues across Notices, Corrections, Amendments, and Pay & File. The Senior Payroll Tax Processor is a core production contributor on a high-volume case workload, providing strong technical competence with meaningful independence.

The position requires a detail-oriented, customer-focused payroll tax expert with hands-on experience resolving tax notices, correcting payroll errors, and preparing amended returns. The role also includes serving as a mentor and role model for colleagues while continuing to build technical depth.

Responsibilities

• Execute full-cycle payroll tax case work for assigned accounts: process payroll runs accurately, audit pre- and post-payroll output, manage tax filings and payments, and maintain compliance across all active jurisdictions.
• Independently research and resolve complex State and Federal payroll tax notices (including balance-due notices, deposit discrepancies, SUI rate change notices, and account mismatch notices), owning each case from intake through confirmed closure.
• Prepare written agency responses with complete supporting documentation; submit within agency-required deadlines and confirm receipt.
• Prepare amended payroll tax returns (Form 941-X and state equivalents) independently for complex amendments.
• Support payroll correction workflows: identify the source of a payroll error, quantify tax impact across affected quarters, document the correction audit trail, and see the resolution through to completion.
• Manage a personal WIP queue with discipline: prioritize cases by SLA date, flag aging cases before they breach SLA, and maintain thorough case documentation from first touch to closure.
• Perform high-level trend analysis of customer data, system data, and agency correspondence to identify process or system deficiencies.
• Contribute to SOP and KB updates: flag outdated content, suggest revisions, and document solutions to previously unresolved issues.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Corrections, Amendments, Pay & File, and Tax Notice teams; serve as a role model for TP1 staff and seek coaching and development from Staff Payroll Tax Processor and managers.

Qualifications

• 2–3+ years of hands-on payroll tax experience with a strong focus on notice resolution, amended return preparation, and payroll error correction across multiple states.
• Working knowledge of IRS and state agency notice types; able to read a notice, identify the type, understand the agency’s claim, and determine the appropriate resolution path.
• Demonstrated experience resolving State and Federal payroll tax notices independently, including balance-due notices, penalty assessments, SUI rate change notices, and deposit mismatch notices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of tax payment and filing regulations; solid understanding of the distinction between employee and employer tax responsibilities across federal and state jurisdictions.
• Hands-on experience preparing and approving amended Federal (Form 941-X, W-2c) and State payroll tax returns across all states, including jurisdictions with complex local requirements such as PA, OH, and more.
• Deep knowledge of federal payroll tax law: FICA, FUTA, FITW, employment tax deposit schedules, and associated penalty and interest structures.
• Multi-state payroll tax expertise: reciprocal agreements, resident and nonresident taxation, SUI account management, and local tax compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proficiency with at least one payroll platform and comfort navigating case management systems such as Salesforce.
• Excel/Google Sheets skills required: VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and reconciliation auditing; able to trace a tax discrepancy through a spreadsheet independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to interact professionally with state and federal tax agencies and document case activity clearly and completely.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance preferred; equivalent experience accepted.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) required.
• CPP preferred for candidates with 4+ years of experience; active pursuit of CPP is viewed favorably. CPP holders will be evaluated for accelerated development.
• Experience at a payroll service bureau, PEO, or multi-client payroll tax environment is a significant advantage.

Compensation & Benefits

The expected base pay range for this position is:

• California (Bay Area): $36.00 - $49.00
• Southern California: $36.00 - $49.00
• Colorado: $27.00 - $36.50
• District of Columbia: $27.00 - $36.50
• Hawaii: $28.50 - $38.50
• Illinois: $27.00 - $36.50
• Maine: $25.00 - $33.50
• Maryland: $27.00 - $36.50
• Massachusetts: $28.50 - $38.50
• Minnesota: $25.00 - $33.50
• New Jersey: $28.50 - $38.50
• New York: $29.50 - $34.47
• Ohio: $25.00 - $33.50
• Vermont: $27.00 - $36.50
• Virginia: $27.00 - $36.50
• Washington: $28.50 - $38.50

This position will be eligible for a cash bonus, equity rewards, and benefits, in accordance with applicable plans and programs. Pay offered is based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and work location.

Location

This position is available in the following locations/states: California (Bay Area) (and Southern California), Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Work Schedule

This role is an hourly, non-exempt position and is eligible for overtime pay.

Minimum of 20 hours per week, with the option to flex up to 40 hours per week based on business need.