Senior Payroll Tax Manager

Job Summary

The Senior Payroll Tax Manager oversees the organization's payroll tax compliance, controls, and governance functions. This role ensures accurate calculation, reporting, and remittance of federal, state, and local payroll taxes while overseeing tax configuration, audit readiness, and cross functional data integrity. The Senior Payroll Tax Manager serves as the subject matter expert on payroll tax regulations and partners closely with Payroll, HR, Finance, Legal, and IT to maintain full compliance and drive continuous improvement across the payroll tax lifecycle.
Job Responsibilities
Payroll Tax Compliance

• Ensure timely and accurate filing of all federal, state, and local payroll tax returns.
• Oversee periodic tax deposits to ensure accuracy and on time remittance.
• Lead quarter end and yearend tax processes, including W 2 and W 2C management.
• Monitor changes in tax laws and implement required updates to systems and processes.
• Manage payroll tax setup and configuration within payroll systems.

Controls, Governance & Audit Readiness

• Own payroll tax controls and ensure documentation is accurate and audit ready.
• Lead internal and external payroll tax audits, including data gathering and remediation.
• Perform and oversee pre and post payroll tax audits to ensure data accuracy.
• Reconcile payroll tax accounts, investigate variances, and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation to support compliance and audit requirements.

Systems & Process Optimization

• Partner with IT and payroll vendors to ensure accurate tax configuration and regulatory updates.
• Support testing and validation of tax related system changes.
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline payroll tax processes and improve efficiency.
• Ensure taxability rules, wage types, and system logic are accurate and governed.

Leadership & Cross Functional Collaboration

• Supervise payroll tax accountants, providing coaching, development, and performance management.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and Benefits on cross functional initiatives.
• Participate in M&A due diligence and integration activities to ensure accurate tax setup and reporting

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field.
• 8+ years of payroll tax experience, including multi state payroll.
• 3+ years of experience managing a team.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Experience with payroll systems and tax filing platforms (SAP, MasterTax preferred).
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPP certification.
• Experience with ADP MasterTax.
• Experience in large, complex, or multi entity organizations.
• Experience with SOX controls, audits, or payroll tax governance.

Key Competencies

• Deep understanding of payroll tax laws and regulatory requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage deadlines and high volume workloads.
• Process improvement mindset with a focus on efficiency and risk reduction.
• Strong collaboration and leadership skills.