Payroll Tax Specialist

Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Payroll Tax Specialist to serve as a subject matter expert on payroll tax compliance and processing in a multi-state environment. This role will ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations while supporting payroll processing activities for the U.S. and Canada. The Payroll Tax Specialist will collaborate closely with payroll, HR, benefits, finance, and external vendors to ensure accurate payroll delivery and continuous process improvement.

This position will also provide guidance and training to payroll team members, assist with audits, and support special payroll-related projects and initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Tax Compliance & Processing

Ensure payroll taxes comply with federal, state, and local regulations.

Research and interpret tax laws, taxable events, and payroll withholding requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

Manage quarterly and year-end tax processes, including W-2 and W-2C preparation and filings.

Reconcile tax filings and deposits with taxing authorities.

Respond to tax notices and manage compliance through payroll tax compliance platforms.

Coordinate with unemployment service providers and state agencies regarding unemployment tax matters.

Payroll Operations & Systems

Serve as the payroll system subject matter expert, particularly for tax-related configurations and issues.

Ensure employee tax setups are accurate and compliant within payroll software systems.

Maintain current unemployment rates and tax configurations.

Support payroll special events such as bonuses, stock vesting, severance, garnishments, and off-cycle payments.

Create standard, ad hoc, and custom payroll reports.

Audit & Process Improvement

Collaborate with internal and external auditors to support payroll audit requirements.

Develop and maintain payroll controls and compliance documentation.

Partner with HR, Benefits, Finance, and IT teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and resolve payroll discrepancies.

Identify and recommend process improvements to enhance payroll accuracy and efficiency.

Leadership & Collaboration

Train and mentor less experienced payroll team members.

Assist with vendor SOW development and payroll-related project initiatives.

Build strong relationships with payroll vendors and internal stakeholders.

Support acquisitions and payroll integration projects as needed.

Qualifications

Required

5–7 years of payroll tax experience in a multi-state and local jurisdiction environment.

Experience filing and paying federal, state, and local payroll tax returns in-house.

ADP GlobalView experience required.

Proficiency in payroll reporting tools and data analysis.

Intermediate Excel skills (including pivot tables and VLOOKUP).

Strong knowledge of state and local tax regulations, including reciprocal agreements.

Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

High attention to detail with strong time and project management abilities.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism with the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

The Know Your Rights poster is available here:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf

The pay transparency policy is available here:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.