Payroll Tax Operations and Services Specialist - SelectTime

Overview

This role supports Payroll Tax Operations (PTO), resolving payroll tax issues across Notices, Corrections, Amendments, and Pay & File. The Senior Payroll Tax Processor is a core production contributor handling a high-volume case workload with strong technical competence and meaningful independence. The position also includes mentoring and serving as a role model for colleagues while continuing to build technical depth.

Responsibilities

• Execute full-cycle payroll tax case work for assigned accounts, including:
  • Process payroll runs accurately
  • Audit pre- and post-payroll output
  • Manage tax filings and payments
  • Maintain compliance across all active jurisdictions
• Independently research and resolve complex State and Federal payroll tax notices (e.g., balance-due notices, deposit discrepancies, SUI rate change notices, account mismatch notices), owning each case from intake through confirmed closure
• Prepare written responses to agencies with complete supporting documentation; submit within agency-required deadlines and confirm receipt
• Prepare amended payroll tax returns (Form 941-X and state equivalents) independently on complex amendments
• Support payroll correction workflows by:
  • Identifying the source of a payroll error
  • Quantifying the tax impact across affected quarters
  • Documenting the correction audit trail
  • Completing the resolution end-to-end
• Manage a personal WIP queue with discipline by:
  • Prioritizing cases by SLA date
  • Flagging aging cases before SLA breaches
  • Maintaining 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• Contribute to SOP and KB updates by flagging outdated content, suggesting revisions, and documenting solutions for previously unresolved issues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 focused on notice resolution, amended return preparation, and payroll error correction across multiple states (not general payroll administration alone)
• Working knowledge of IRS and state agency notice types, including the ability to read a notice, identify the type, understand the agency’s claim, and determine an 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, including 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, including FICA, FUTA, FITW, employment tax deposit schedules, and associated penalty and interest structures
• Multi-state payroll tax expertise, including 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, including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and reconciliation auditing; ability to trace a tax discrepancy through a spreadsheet independently
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including professional interaction with state and federal tax agencies and clear documentation of case activity
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance preferred; equivalent experience accepted
• 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

• Competitive compensation package with pay-for-performance rewards
• Expected base pay range (hourly) by location:
  • 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
• Eligible for a cash bonus, equity rewards, and benefits in accordance with applicable plans and programs
• Pay is based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and work location

Location

• United States (role pay ranges vary by state/region as listed above)

Schedule

• Minimum 20 hours per week, with the option to flex up to 40 hours per week based on business need
• Hourly, non-exempt position; eligible for overtime pay

Preferred Qualifications

• CPP (for candidates with 4+ years of experience); active pursuit of CPP is viewed favorably
• Experience in a payroll service bureau, PEO, or multi-client payroll tax environment