Overview
This role is part of Payroll Tax Operations (PTO) and focuses on accurate, timely resolution of payroll tax issues across Notices, Corrections, Amendments, and Pay & File. The Senior Payroll Tax Processor is a core production contributor responsible for handling a high-volume case workload with meaningful independence and strong technical competence.
The position requires a detail-oriented, customer-focused payroll tax professional who can resolve tax notices, correct payroll errors, and prepare amended returns. The role also involves mentoring and serving as a role model for colleagues while continuing to deepen technical expertise.
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, and maintaining 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) 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 while retaining ownership.
- Support payroll correction workflows by identifying the source of payroll errors, quantifying tax impact across affected quarters, documenting the correction audit trail, and seeing resolution through completion.
- Manage an individual 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- Contribute to SOP and KB updates by flagging outdated content, suggesting revisions, and documenting solutions to previously unresolved issues.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 seek coaching and development from Staff Payroll Tax Processor and managers.
Requirements
- 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, 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; 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.
- 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 position is eligible for a cash bonus, equity rewards, and benefits, in accordance with applicable plans and programs.
- Expected base pay range:
- 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
- Pay offered is based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and work location.
Location
Virtual role with flexible scheduling.
This hourly, non-exempt position is eligible for overtime pay.
- Minimum: 20 hours per week
- Option to flex up to 40 hours per week based on business need