Payroll Compliance Specialist

Capstone • Bend, OR

4d • $22 - $27

About The Position

We are seeking a highly detail-oriented and experienced Payroll Compliance & Amendments Specialist to join our team on a part-time basis. This role is dedicated to managing specialized, high-priority payroll projects, with a primary focus on resolving federal and state tax notices, processing W-2 amendments, and preparing amended quarterly reports. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in multi-state payroll regulations, agency correspondence, and historical payroll corrections. This position offers a flexible, part-time schedule well-suited for a seasoned professional who thrives on investigative work and data reconciliation.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3–5 years of dedicated payroll experience, with a proven track record of successfully managing payroll amendments (941-X) and state notice resolutions.
• Strong hands-on experience with cloud-based payroll systems (e.g., QuickBooks Online, Payroll Relief) and advanced proficiency in MS Excel (vlookups, pivot tables) for data reconciliation.
• Deep understanding of federal, state, and local payroll tax laws, deposit schedules, and filing requirements.
• Exceptional analytical and investigative skills; strong written communication skills for professional agency correspondence; ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

• Multi-state compliance experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and Resolve Notices: Research, analyze, and resolve complex IRS and state agency tax notices (e.g., withholding discrepancies, unemployment rate adjustments, penalty assessments).
• Agency Correspondence: Act as the primary point of contact with tax authorities, drafting formal response letters and compiling required documentation to dispute or settle notices.
• Root Cause Analysis: Identify the underlying payroll or system errors that triggered agency notices and recommend process improvements to prevent future occurrences.
• Amended Returns: Prepare and file federal and state amended quarterly and annual payroll tax returns (e.g., 941-X, 940-X, and state-specific equivalents).
• W-2 Corrections: Process and issue Form W-2c (Corrected Wage and Tax Statements) and W-3c summaries, ensuring accurate electronic filing with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
• Wage Reconciliations: Perform comprehensive historical payroll audits to calculate retroactive adjustments, pre-tax/post-tax corrections, and taxable fringe benefit updates.
• Data Cleanup: Assist with targeted payroll system audits, verifying employer identification numbers (EINs), state business identification numbers (BINs), and local tax accounts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with payroll managers and account teams to ensure historical adjustments are accurately reflected in the core payroll ledger and client accounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed