Payroll Tax Manager

Acrisure•Grand Rapids, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll Tax Manager is responsible for leading the organization's payroll tax function, ensuring compliance with federal, state, local, and Puerto Rico payroll tax regulations across more than 160 FEINs. This role oversees payroll tax operations, quarterly and annual filings, tax adjustments, year-end reporting, legislative compliance, and continuous process improvements while providing leadership, coaching, and technical expertise to the Payroll Tax team. The Payroll Tax Manager partners closely with Payroll Operations, Finance, HR, third-party vendors, and government agencies to ensure accurate tax reporting and minimize organizational risk.

Requirements

Experience leading payroll tax operations within a large, multi-state organization
Expert knowledge of federal, state, local, and Puerto Rico payroll tax regulations
Experience overseeing payroll tax compliance across multiple legal entities and FEINs
Experience managing quarterly and annual payroll tax filings, including Forms 941, 940, W-2, W-2C, and applicable state and local filings
Experience overseeing payroll tax adjustments, reconciliations, audits, and agency correspondence
Experience managing third-party payroll tax vendors such as ADP SmartCompliance
Demonstrated leadership, coaching, project management, and process improvement experience
Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills
7 – 10 years of progressive payroll tax experience, including leadership responsibilities
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting organizations with 100+ legal entities and complex payroll structures
Experience implementing legislative or regulatory payroll tax changes
Experience supporting payroll tax integration activities for mergers and acquisitions
Experience with Workday Payroll
Experience leading cross-functional payroll tax initiatives and process improvements

Responsibilities

Lead payroll tax operations across all federal, state, local, and Puerto Rico jurisdictions.
Oversee payroll tax compliance for more than 160 FEINs.
Ensure accurate quarterly and annual tax filings, including Forms 941, 940, W-2s, W-2Cs, and applicable state and local filings.
Oversee balancing activities prior to tax filing submission.
Ensure compliance with tax deposit schedules and filing deadlines.
Own governance and approval of payroll tax adjustments.
Review and approve complex payroll tax corrections and amended filing recommendations.
Serve as the escalation point for complex tax notices, audits, and agency inquiries.
Partner with third-party tax vendors to resolve significant payroll tax issues.
Monitor federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll taxation.
Evaluate business impacts and implement required payroll tax changes.
Ensure payroll tax procedures, system configurations, and team processes remain compliant.
Communicate legislative updates and provide guidance to Payroll and cross-functional partners.
Lead, coach, develop, and mentor Payroll Tax team members.
Provide technical guidance and serve as the team's escalation resource.
Oversee workload distribution, training, and performance development.
Promote continuous learning and knowledge sharing across the team.
Oversee year-end payroll tax activities including W-2 balancing, validation, corrections, and distribution.
Maintain strategic partnership with ADP Tax Services (or third-party vendor).
Review vendor performance and drive issue resolution.
Lead initiatives that improve payroll tax accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
Establish and maintain internal controls.
Identify automation opportunities and reduce manual processes.