Overview
This role is part of Payroll Tax Operations (PTO) and supports accurate, timely resolution of payroll tax issues across Notices, Corrections, Amendments, and Pay & File. The Senior Payroll Tax Processor is a core production contributor with strong technical competence and meaningful independence in a high-volume case workload.
The position is detail-oriented and customer-focused, with hands-on responsibility for resolving tax notices, correcting payroll errors, and preparing amended returns. The role also serves as a mentor and role model for colleagues while continuing to grow technical depth.
Responsibilities
- Execute full-cycle payroll tax case work for assigned accounts, including:
- Processing payroll runs accurately
- Auditing pre- and post-payroll output
- Managing tax filings and payments
- Maintaining 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 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, maintaining ownership
- Support payroll correction workflows by:
- Identifying the source of a payroll error
- Quantifying tax impact across affected quarters
- Documenting the correction audit trail
- Seeing the resolution through to completion
- Manage a personal WIP queue with discipline by prioritizing cases by SLA date, flagging aging cases before they breach SLA, and 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- Contribute to SOP and KB updates by flagging outdated content, suggesting revisions, and documenting solutions to previously unresolved issues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 actively 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 (not just general payroll administration)
- 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 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, 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: 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, with the ability 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
- 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
This role includes a competitive compensation package with pay for performance rewards.
Expected base pay range (hourly):
- 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
The position may be eligible for a cash bonus, equity rewards, and benefits, in accordance with applicable plans and programs. Pay offered is based on factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and work location.
Location & Scheduling
- This is an hourly, non-exempt position eligible for overtime pay.
- Minimum commitment: 20 hours per week.
- Hours may flex up to 40 hours per week based on business need.
- Virtual work providing expert services directly to customers, year-round with flexible hours and schedules.
About scheduling and eligibility
The role has a minimum of 20 hours per week with an option to flex up to 40 hours per week based on business need.