Payroll Tax Specialist

certexamdb.com; New York (NY); On-site; USD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Justworks is seeking a Payroll Tax Specialist to execute filings across local, state, and federal jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy and compliance. You will manage payments, updates to tax IDs, and respond to inquiries, collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve processes.

The role requires 2+ years in payroll tax or related finance, strong Excel skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of payroll tax, accounting, or related finance experience.
• Deep knowledge of local, state, and federal payroll tax processes and compliance.
• Experience with multi-state payroll is preferred.
• Strong problem-solving to resolve payroll tax inquiries within SLAs.
• Tech-savvy with advanced Excel and various software systems.

Responsibilities

• Execute and maintain quarterly and annual payroll tax filings across jurisdictions.
• Ensure timely payments for all assigned states during quarter-end cycles.
• Process reversals and terminations promptly.
• Run daily payments and manage check processing for timely remittances.
• Update tax IDs and rate changes, keeping records accurate.
• Resolve payroll tax inquiries from cross-functional teams within SLAs.
• Triage issues, determine root cause, and involve appropriate teams.
• Monitor inquiries to identify trends and surface systemic improvements.
• Recommend improvements to payroll tax processes and workflows.
• Maintain up-to-date state documentation in Confluence.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Finance, and CSO to update processes.
• Support Pod Lead with blockers and health checks.
• Assist onboarding and knowledge transfer for new hires.

Skills

Payroll tax

Excel

Communication

Cross-functional

Collaboration

Tools

Confluence

SLA management

Job description

About the Role

As a Payroll Tax Specialist at Justworks, you play a vital role in the day‑to‑day execution of Payroll Tax Operations. You manage accurate, compliant filings across all local, state, and federal jurisdictions, ensuring data integrity and reducing risk for customers.

Responsibilities

• Execute and maintain quarterly and annual payroll tax filings across all local, state, and federal jurisdictions.
• Ensure timely and accurate payments for all assigned states during quarter‑end cycles.
• Process reversals and terminations in a timely manner.
• Run daily payments and handle check processing to ensure timely remittance to tax agencies.
• Manage tax ID updates and rate changes, ensuring all records are current and correct.
• Resolve payroll tax inquiries and issues submitted via internal tickets from cross‑functional teams, meeting agreed‑upon SLAs.
• Triage incoming issues, determine root cause, and involve appropriate cross‑functional teams for resolution.
• Monitor inquiries to identify trends and surface insights for systemic improvements.
• Recommend and implement improvements to existing payroll tax processes and workflows.
• Maintain up‑to‑date documentation for assigned states in Confluence.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Product, Engineering, Finance, CSO) to implement updates to processes.
• Proactively identify and escalator blockers to the Pod Lead; support pod meetings, health checks, and retrospectives.
• Support onboarding and knowledge transfer for new team members.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in payroll tax, accounting, or a related finance field.
• In‑depth understanding of local, state, and federal payroll tax processes and compliance.
• Preferred multi‑state payroll experience (single large employer or multi‑employer).
• Demonstrated ability to resolve payroll tax inquiries and issues efficiently, meeting SLAs.
• Tech‑savvy, including advanced Excel, and proficient in various software programs and systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; highly organized, detail‑oriented, and process‑driven.
• APA Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is a plus.
• Prior experience with PEOs is a plus.
• Strong subject‑matter expertise in quarterly and year‑end filing cycles for various taxes and state jurisdictions.
• Organized and adaptable in a fast‑paced environment.

Compensation

The base wage range for this position based in our New York City Office is targeted at $35.58 to $43.27 per hour. Actual compensation is based on multiple factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, level of relevant experience, and specific work location. Salary ranges for positions based in other locations may differ based on the cost of labor in that location.

Diversity & Inclusion

Justworks is committed to maintaining a workplace where diversity of identity, culture, and life experience is the norm and is celebrated authentically and respected consistently. We’re proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or familial status, disability, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. Justworks is fully dedicated to providing necessary support to candidates with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at [e-mail]. Your comfort and success matter to us, and we're here to ensure an inclusive experience. Our DEIB Report.