Senior Payroll Specialist, Taxes & Special Projects

Peak Physical Therapy; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual charity day

Employer-paid medical premium option

Dental and Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO and holidays

Supportive leadership

Job summary

Upstream Rehabilitation is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist, Taxes & Special Projects to lead payroll tax compliance across federal, state, and local authorities. You will manage tax systems, validate data, and respond to inquiries from employees and regulatory agencies, while supporting special projects and new jurisdiction registrations.

With 3+ years in payroll tax, you will work closely with HR and finance in a fast-paced, remote environment across the United States, ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of payroll tax experience.
• Experience with ADP SmartCompliance, ADP Registration Services, iReports, Late Original Filing, and PQA.
• Strong communication and writing skills with cross‑department collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll tax filing activities for federal, state, and local returns.
• Manage payroll tax systems and software updates and changes.
• Maintain and validate tax data, rates, frequencies, and form inputs.
• Calculate adjustments, deductions, credits, and fees for complex returns.
• Monitor filing activities with internal tools and ensure deadlines.
• Research tax queries and respond to employees and regulatory agencies.
• Support and execute special projects as directed by leadership.
• Assist with payroll tax registrations and agency setup in new jurisdictions.
• Stay current on tax law changes and regulatory requirements.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Skills

Payroll tax

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

ADP SmartCompliance

ADP Registration Services

iReports

Late Original Filing

PQA

Job description

Upstream Rehabilitation is looking for a Senior Payroll Specialist, Taxes & Special Projects to join our team!

Senior Payroll Specialist, Taxes & Special Projects

Location Type: Remote (Must Reside in the United States)

Build Your Career with Us!

Upstream Rehabilitation is the country’s largest dedicated provider of outpatient physical and occupational therapy services. Our mission is to inspire and empower the lives we touch, to serve our communities, and to lead with purpose-driven passion.

We are committed to delivering remarkable experiences and fostering an inclusive workplace where differences are valued and celebrated. With 1,200+ locations nationwide, 26 brand partners, and 8,000+ employees, Upstream operates at scale while leveraging data, technology, and innovation to drive smarter decisions and operational excellence across the organization.

The Role:

Join the Upstream Rehabilitation team, where your work makes a meaningful impact on the associate experience. As a Senior Payroll Specialist, Taxes & Special Projects, you will serve as the organization’s lead expert in payroll tax, with full responsibility for compliance and reporting. You’ll ensure accurate, timely filing of all federal, state, and local payroll taxes while overseeing tax calculations and resolving complex inquiries from employees and regulatory agencies. You will also research tax laws and withholding requirements and prepare budgets, forecasts, and reports for senior management. This is the most senior role dedicated to payroll tax compliance and oversight, playing a key role in ensuring regulatory accuracy across the organization. You will uphold the mission, vision, and values of Upstream Rehabilitation and its affiliated entities.

What You’ll Do:

• Oversee payroll tax filing activities, including the accurate and timely submission of federal, state, and local tax returns based on filing requirements.
• Manage payroll tax systems and software, implementing updates and enhancements while staying current on system changes and industry trends.
• Maintain and validate tax data, including rates, frequencies, and form inputs, ensuring accurate calculations, filings, and payments.
• Calculate and apply adjustments, deductions, credits, and applicable fees based on return complexity and processing requirements.
• Monitor and track filing activities using internal tools and spreadsheets, ensuring deadlines and special considerations are met.
• Research and respond to tax correspondence, resolving issues and addressing inquiries from clients, employees, and regulatory agencies.
• Support and execute special projects as assigned by the Vice President of HR Operations.
• Support client onboarding and expansion by assisting with tax registrations and agency setup in new jurisdictions. Partner with stakeholders to resolve payroll tax and system-related issues, providing guidance, feedback, and customer support.
• Stay current on changes in tax laws, payroll regulations, and compliance requirements to ensure ongoing accuracy and adherence.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Who You Are:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of payroll tax experience.
• Required experience with ADP SmartCompliance, ADP Registration Services, iReports, Late Original Filing, and PQA.
• Strong communication and writing skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with external agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with payroll or tax systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and resolve complex issues.
• Self-directed and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace where employees feel empowered to contribute and be heard.

Nice to Haves:

• CPP Certification.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• The chance to directly shape our organization’s growth by hiring the talent that drives our mission.
• Opportunities to stretch your skills - whether you’re building pipelines, designing sourcing strategies, or advising leadership.
• A collaborative team environment where your ideas are valued.
• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing professional development.

Benefit Offerings:

• Annual paid Charity Day to give back to a cause meaningful to you
• 100% employer paid medical health insurance premium option available
• Dental and Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Supportive team and leadership invested in your success

A Better Place to Build Your Career

Upstream Rehabilitation offers meaningful opportunities across corporate and non-clinical roles, both remotely and in corporate offices nationwide. We invest in our people through leadership development programs, ongoing education, and professional growth opportunities.

Our corporate teams are critical to Upstream’s success—and to the culture that makes this a great place to work. You’ll join a group of talented professionals who collaborate, innovate, and know how to have fun while making a real impact.

Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000

Estimated pay ranges listed above are based on several factors including but not limited to your pay class, experience, background and geographic location of the clinic

Benefits and eligibility are dependent on employment status and pay class (full-time, part-time, or PRN). Specific details will be provided during the hiring process.

Upstream Rehabilitation is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to provide an inclusive work environment where our differences are celebrated for the value they bring to our communities, our patients and our teammates. Upstream Rehabilitation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or other status protected under applicable law.