Excise Tax Manager

Connect Search LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect Search LLC is seeking an Excise Tax Manager for a Houston-based, 6-month contract. The role focuses on federal and multi-state excise tax compliance for petroleum products, fuel distribution, and related activity.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in excise tax within the fuel industry and can manage IRS Form 720, state filings, and audits. Onsite in Houston with potential for long-term conversion.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of excise tax experience in fuel industry.
• Experience with multi-state motor fuel tax filings.
• Knowledge of IRS Form 720 and related schedules.
• Experience handling tax audits and notices.
• Ability to manage high-volume tax data and deadlines.
• Onsite work in Houston required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and file federal and multi-state excise tax returns.
• Manage federal excise tax compliance including IRS Form 720.
• Handle state motor fuel tax filings (gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, etc.).
• Maintain accurate tax treatment for products, terminals, and movements.
• Reconcile excise tax liabilities with inventory, bills of lading, and contracts.
• Respond to tax notices, audits, and assessments.
• Develop filing calendars, procedures, and SOPs.
• Collaborate with Accounting, Operations, Trading, Logistics, Legal, and external counterparties.

Skills

5+ years excise tax

Fuel industry experience

Multi-state tax compliance

IRS Form 720 experience

Onsite Houston work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Tax

CPA or MST is a plus

Tools

QuickBooks

NetSuite / ERP exposure

Job description

Excise Tax Manager

Location:North Houston, TX
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite
Type: Contract, approximately 6 months with potential for long-term conversion
Pay: $65-$80/hour, depending on experience
Start: ASAP

We are seeking an experienced Excise Tax Manager for a contract opportunity with a growing Houston-based energy and fuel organization. This position will be responsible for federal and multi-state excise tax compliance related to petroleum products, fuel distribution, logistics, and related commodity activity.

This is a highly specialized role that requires strong knowledge of fuel-related taxation across multiple jurisdictions. The ideal candidate will have direct experience with motor fuel, petroleum, lubricants, fuel distribution, terminal operations, or a closely related industry and will be comfortable managing complex federal and state tax requirements.

The position is expected to run approximately six months initially, with the possibility of converting to a permanent role for the right individual.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and file federal and multi-state excise tax returns




• Manage federal excise tax compliance, including IRS Form 720 and related schedules




• Handle state motor fuel, gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, renewable fuel, and related excise tax filings




• Maintain accurate tax treatment for products, terminals, shipping lanes, and fuel movements




• Reconcile excise tax liabilities to:

  
  
  
  

  • Inventory records

  
  

  • Bills of lading and ticket data

  
  

  • Contracts

  
  

  • Shipment activity

  
  

  • General ledger and accounting records

  
  



• Manage excise tax credits, refunds, exemptions, and supporting documentation




• Maintain customer and vendor exemption certificates and related tax records




• Respond to federal and state tax notices, audits, and assessments




• Prepare and maintain audit-ready documentation and reconciliations




• Work closely with Accounting, Operations, Trading, Logistics, Legal, and external counterparties




• Research tax treatment for new products, locations, routes, entities, and business activities




• Monitor changes in federal and state excise tax regulations




• Develop and maintain filing calendars, procedures, controls, and SOPs




• Assist with process improvements and system enhancements related to tax reporting and compliance

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in excise tax, motor fuel tax, fuel tax, indirect tax, or closely related state tax compliance




• Direct experience within the fuel, petroleum, lubricants, downstream energy, fuel distribution, terminal, logistics, or commodity trading industry




• Strong understanding of multi-state tax requirements and interstate fuel movements




• Experience preparing and reconciling complex tax filings




• Ability to work with high-volume transaction, shipment, inventory, and accounting data




• Strong knowledge of federal and state tax compliance




• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail




• Ability to communicate clearly with internal stakeholders, auditors, and regulatory agencies




• Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of the tax compliance process




• Must be able to work onsite in Houston

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with IRS Form 720




• Knowledge of above-rack and below-rack motor fuel taxation




• Experience with renewable fuels, biodiesel, renewable diesel, ethanol, or related credits




• Broader indirect tax or state and local tax experience




• Experience with tax audits, notices, assessments, refunds, and exemptions




• QuickBooks experience




• NetSuite experience or exposure to an ERP implementation/conversion




• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Tax, or related field




• CPA or MST is a plus, but not required

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will be able to step into the role quickly, take ownership of excise tax compliance, and ensure filings are accurate, timely, and well-supported. They will also serve as a resource to Accounting and Operations when questions arise around the tax treatment of fuel transactions and interstate movements.

This is a strong opportunity for an experienced fuel or excise tax professional who enjoys working in a hands-on environment and wants the potential to transition into a longer-term role.

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