Payroll Tax Specialist

Aston Carter•Columbia, MD

10d•$31 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll Tax Specialist manages complex federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and compliance activities and serves as a subject matter expert on payroll tax regulations and reporting. The role resolves tax notices, audits, discrepancies, and agency inquiries; establishes and maintains payroll tax accounts and registrations; and supports year-end processing, including W-2s, W-2Cs, and tax reconciliations. The specialist partners with internal teams and government agencies to address payroll tax and compliance issues, supports payroll tax operations for Financial Management Services (FMS) programs, and drives improvements in accuracy, efficiency, and compliance. The position also handles specialized Fiscal/Employer Agent (FEA) scenarios and caregiver payroll programs. This is a contract-to-hire position based fully onsite in Columbia, Maryland. The stated pay range is $31.25–$33.65 per hour. Individual compensation depends on factors including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, and internal equity. Benefits eligibility and availability depend on job classification, length of employment, and applicable plan terms. Benefits that may be available for this temporary role include medical, dental, and vision coverage; critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions; life insurance; short- and long-term disability; a health spending account (HSA); transportation benefits; an employee assistance program; and time off or leave, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave.

Requirements

At least 4 years of payroll tax experience.
Strong knowledge of payroll processing and payroll tax principles.
Hands-on experience with multi-state payroll tax compliance and operations.
Experience managing payroll tax filings, responding to notices, supporting audits, and handling agency communications.
Solid understanding of federal, state, and local tax regulations related to payroll.
Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex tax rules and data.
Effective problem-solving skills for discrepancies and complex tax scenarios.
Clear and professional communication skills for collaborating with internal teams and external agencies.
Ability to work independently and manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
Experience with ADP and/or Cyma payroll systems.
Experience supporting Financial Management Services (FMS), Fiscal/Employer Agent (FEA), or third-party payroll administration programs.
Knowledge of W-2 corrections, payroll tax exemptions, and refund processes.
Familiarity with specialized caregiver payroll programs and Difficulty of Care payments.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.

Responsibilities

Manage federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and ensure ongoing compliance with applicable regulations.
Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll tax regulations, reporting requirements, and best practices.
Research and resolve payroll tax notices, audits, discrepancies, and inquiries from tax agencies.
Establish, maintain, and update payroll tax accounts and registrations across multiple jurisdictions.
Support year-end payroll tax processing, including preparation and review of W-2s, W-2Cs, and tax reconciliations.
Partner with internal teams to identify, investigate, and resolve payroll tax and compliance issues.
Work directly with state and federal agencies regarding filings, registrations, and payroll tax matters.
Support payroll tax operations for Financial Management Services (FMS) programs and related services.
Identify and implement process improvements that increase payroll tax accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
Manage payroll tax compliance for Fiscal/Employer Agent (FEA) programs, including Difficulty of Care payments, family caregiver payroll tax exemptions, tax adjustments and refunds, and other specialized payroll tax scenarios.
Ensure compliance with IRS Notice 2014-7 and other applicable federal and state regulations affecting exempt payments and caregiver payroll programs.
Contribute to the development and refinement of payroll tax processes and compliance strategies, providing insights based on multi-state payroll tax operations.