Senior Payroll Tax Specialist

Date PostedJune 18, 2026LocationRemoteCompanyLeidosSalary$52,000.00 - $94,000.00TypeSenior Level

Job Summary

The Senior Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist acts as a subject matter expert for U.S. and Canadian payroll tax compliance. This role involves independently managing complex tax matters, resolving agency inquiries, and ensuring strict adherence to federal, state, and provincial regulations. The specialist will lead tax compliance activities, conduct detailed audits, and oversee accurate reporting processes to mitigate risks.

Responsibilities

  • Manage multi-state U.S. and Canadian payroll tax compliance
  • Resolve complex tax issues and agency inquiries
  • Conduct payroll tax audits and system configuration reviews
  • Oversee quarterly/annual tax filings (W-2, 941, T4)
  • Improve payroll tax processes and control procedures

Required Skills

  • 5+ years payroll tax experience
  • UKGPro expertise
  • Advanced MS Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP)
  • Deep knowledge of U.S. and Canadian tax regulations
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Job Details

### Position Overview The Senior Payroll Tax Specialist serves as a subject matter expert for U.S. and Canadian payroll tax compliance, independently managing complex payroll tax matters, driving resolution of tax issues, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, local, and provincial regulations. ### Key Responsibilities - Serve as the primary payroll tax subject matter expert for multi-state U.S. and Canadian payroll operations, ensuring ongoing compliance with federal, state, local, and provincial tax regulations. - Independently research, analyze, and resolve complex payroll tax issues, agency inquiries, and notices from the IRS, state and local tax authorities, CRA, and provincial agencies. - Lead payroll tax compliance activities related to employee hires, transfers, and organizational changes, ensuring accurate tax withholding and reporting setup. - Engage directly in communications with federal, state, local, and Canadian tax agencies to resolve escalated tax matters and compliance issues. - Conduct detailed audits and reviews of employee tax configurations, payroll tax withholdings, and system setups to identify and mitigate compliance risks. - Oversee payroll tax adjustments, amendments, and corrections, including complex W-2/W-2c processing and employee tax record remediation. - Perform advanced analysis, reconciliations, and research to support payroll tax audits, regulatory examinations, and compliance initiatives. - Review and validate quarterly and annual payroll tax filings, including Forms 941, 940, W-2, W-2c, T4, and other required U.S. and Canadian tax reporting. - Provide expertise in Canadian payroll tax compliance, including CPP, EI, EHT, federal and provincial tax requirements, and year-end reporting obligations. - Review state unemployment insurance rate notices, assess impacts, and coordinate implementation with payroll vendors and internal stakeholders. - Evaluate and oversee new tax account registrations, jurisdictional filing requirements, and agency account maintenance activities. - Partner with payroll vendors, HR, Finance, and external agencies to resolve complex tax matters and ensure accurate payroll tax reporting and remittance. - Support internal and external audits by providing technical guidance, documentation, and analysis related to payroll tax compliance. - Identify opportunities to improve payroll tax processes, controls, and compliance procedures, driving operational efficiencies and risk reduction. ### Required Qualifications - High School Diploma with 5+ years of progressive payroll experience in a multi-state environment, including payroll tax compliance. - UKGPro payroll experience. - Strong attention to detail, deadline oriented, with excellent communication skills. - Ability to assess appropriately when to escalate employee or system issues. - Outcome driven mindset with complete focus on accuracy and timely processing. - Organized and focused to drive results, improve processes, manage complex escalations, and meet operational deadlines. - Strong ability to work as a team, with focus on collaboration and developing business relations. - Experience with MS Excel, Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP's, and complex formulas. - Knowledge of Federal, state, and local tax regulations, including Canada. - Ability to identify gaps in controls and processes.