Senior Payroll Tax Analyst

Direct Energy Business; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

NRG Energy in Houston, TX seeks a Payroll Tax Analyst II to independently manage payroll tax activities, filings, reconciliations, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The role supports audits and tax notices with rigorous attention to accuracy.

Responsibilities include processing tax filings, resolving notices, maintaining tax accounts, and collaborating with Payroll Operations to drive process improvements and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with payroll tax filings, reconciliations, and notice resolution.
• Experience using SAP Payroll and ADP payroll systems.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review federal, state, and local payroll tax filings.
• Review payroll tax calculations and withholding accuracy.
• Support quarter-end and year-end payroll tax activities.
• Maintain payroll tax account registrations and agency relationships.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Payroll tax knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP Payroll

ADP payroll systems

Job description

Date: Aug 25, 2026

Location: Houston, TX, US, 77010

Company: NRG

Welcome to the intersection of energy and home services. At NRG, we’re all about propelling the next generation of leaders forward. We are driven by our passion to create a smarter, cleaner and more connected future. We deliver innovative solutions that make our customers’ lives easier—helping them power, protect, and intelligently manage their homes and businesses. To do this, we need creative and talented people to join our company.

More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

The Payroll Tax Analyst II independently performs payroll tax activities including tax filings, reconciliations, tax account maintenance, tax notice resolution, and payroll tax compliance support. This role serves as an experienced payroll tax professional responsible for resolving moderately complex payroll tax issues while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Processing & Compliance

• Prepare and review federal, state, and local payroll tax filings.
• Review payroll tax calculations and withholding accuracy.
• Support quarter-end and year-end payroll tax activities.
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax filing requirements and deadlines.
• Maintain payroll tax account registrations and agency relationships.

Tax Analysis & Issue Resolution

• Research and resolve payroll tax notices and agency inquiries.
• Investigate tax discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
• Identify payroll tax compliance risks and recommend solutions.
• Partner with Payroll Operations to resolve tax-related issues.
• Support employee and business inquiries related to payroll tax matters.

Reconciliation & Audit Support

• Reconcile payroll tax liabilities and tax deposits.
• Support payroll tax audits and compliance reviews.
• Validate payroll tax reporting and filing accuracy.
• Assist with agency correspondence and audit responses.

Process Improvement & Collaboration

• Assist with payroll tax projects and process improvement initiatives.
• Support payroll system testing and enhancements.
• Provide guidance to Payroll Tax Coordinators and Payroll Tax Analyst I team members.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance compliance and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and 5 years of payroll tax OR
• Associate's degree and 4 years of payroll tax experience; OR
• Bachelor's degree and 3 years of payroll tax experience.
• Experience utilizing SAP Payroll and ADP payroll systems.
• Experience with payroll tax filings, reconciliations, and notice resolution.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, certifications, and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing multi-state payroll tax compliance.
• Experience resolving complex payroll tax notices.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience supporting payroll tax audits.

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Protected Veteran Status/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.

EEO is the Law Poster (The poster can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf)

Official description on file with Talent.

We support the use of AI tools to help you prepare for your interview (e.g., practicing responses, researching the role, or refining your resume). However, during interviews and assessments, we expect responses to reflect your own thinking, experience, and communication. Use of AI to generate or read answers in real time, complete assessments, or misrepresent your qualifications is not permitted and may impact your candidacy.

Nearest Major Market:

Houston