Senior Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist

Leidos

6d•$52,000 - $94,000

About The Position

Leidos is seeking a detail-oriented, dependable, Senior Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist with excellent analytical abilities to join its team. This position will be responsible for providing support related to payroll tax, audit requests, status reporting, special projects, and other duties as assigned. This role reports to the Employee Experience, Tax and Compliance Manager. The Senior Payroll Tax Specialist serves as a subject matter expert for U.S. and Canadian payroll tax compliance, independently managing complex payroll tax matters, driving resolution of tax issues, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, local, and provincial regulations.

Requirements

High School Diploma with 5+ years of progressive payroll experience in a multi-state environment, including payroll tax compliance
UKGPro payroll experience
Strong attention to detail, deadline oriented, with excellent communication skills
Ability to assess appropriately when to escalate employee or system issues
Outcome driven mindset with complete focus on accuracy and timely processing
Organized and focused to drive results, improve processes, manage complex escalations, and meet operational deadlines
Strong ability to work as a team, with focus on collaboration and developing business relations that drive high employee satisfaction but also demonstrates the ability to work and complete tasks independently.
Experience with MS Excel, Pivot Tables, VLOOKLUP’s, and complex formulas
Knowledge of Federal, state, and local tax regulations, including Canada
Ability to identify gaps in controls and processes

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary payroll tax subject matter expert for multi-state U.S. and Canadian payroll operations, ensuring ongoing compliance with federal, state, local, and provincial tax regulations.
Independently research, analyze, and resolve complex payroll tax issues, agency inquiries, and notices from the IRS, state and local tax authorities, CRA, and provincial agencies.
Lead payroll tax compliance activities related to employee hires, transfers, and organizational changes, ensuring accurate tax withholding and reporting setup.
Engage directly in communications with federal, state, local, and Canadian tax agencies to resolve escalated tax matters and compliance issues.
Conduct detailed audits and reviews of employee tax configurations, payroll tax withholdings, and system setups to identify and mitigate compliance risks.
Oversee payroll tax adjustments, amendments, and corrections, including complex W-2/W-2c processing and employee tax record remediation.
Perform advanced analysis, reconciliations, and research to support payroll tax audits, regulatory examinations, and compliance initiatives.
Review and validate quarterly and annual payroll tax filings, including Forms 941, 940, W-2, W-2c, T4, and other required U.S. and Canadian tax reporting.
Provide expertise in Canadian payroll tax compliance, including CPP, EI, EHT, federal and provincial tax requirements, and year-end reporting obligations.
Review state unemployment insurance rate notices, assess impacts, and coordinate implementation with payroll vendors and internal stakeholders.
Evaluate and oversee new tax account registrations, jurisdictional filing requirements, and agency account maintenance activities.
Partner with payroll vendors, HR, Finance, and external agencies to resolve complex tax matters and ensure accurate payroll tax reporting and remittance.
Support internal and external audits by providing technical guidance, documentation, and analysis related to payroll tax compliance.
Identify opportunities to improve payroll tax processes, controls, and compliance procedures, driving operational efficiencies and risk reduction.
Other duties as assigned.