Senior Payroll Tax Specialist

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Senior Payroll Tax Specialist is responsible for overseeing 150+ FEINs, multi-state, and local tax authorities. The role owns and ensures payroll tax compliance across all entities and tax authorities. This role leads cross-functional collaboration with Payroll, Accounting, HRIS, Treasury, and the organization’s tax service provider. Own end‑to‑end payroll tax activities, including federal, state, and local filings. This role owns reconciliations and drives collaboration with tax providers, Treasury, and Accounting during month-end close. This person will audit case documentation and uphold timely follow-up within the third-party ticketing system or with the tax authorities. Additionally, the Senior Payroll Tax Specialist drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance compliance, reduce defects, and streamline payroll tax processes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related fields.
5+ years of payroll tax experience in high volume federal, multi-state, and local tax environments.
Experience with Workday Payroll Taxation and third‑party payroll tax providers, (OSV a preferred).
Strong knowledge of multi‑state payroll tax regulations and wage withholding requirements.
Strong analytical, research, and problem‑solving skills.
Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate with cross‑functional partners.
All candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening, including background check, motor vehicle record (MVR), and drug testing.

Nice To Haves

CPP, FPC, or similar payroll/tax credential.
Experience supporting a high‑volume, 175+ multi‑entity, multi-state payroll environment.
Familiarity with third party case management systems and payroll tax configuration.

Responsibilities

Own end‑to‑end payroll tax activities, including federal, state, and local filings.
File tax filings, amendments, corrected returns, and quarterly/year‑end processing.
Prepare, maintain, and submit tax account registrations and closures via third party or tax authority portal based on tax agency requirements.
Research and resolve payroll tax notices and discrepancies in partnership with tax service provider.
Validate multi‑state tax setups and employee mobility tax impacts in payroll system of record.
Daily monitoring of tax service provider case activity related to tax filings, notices, and corrections.
Partner with tax service provider to resolve case escalations and ensure timely responses.
Significant contributor to governance, documentation standards, and intake processes.
Participate in monthly third-party provider status updates.
Update Payroll leadership informed through regular status updates and monthly KPIs.
Responsible for payroll tax funding activities including tax payments, and related liabilities.
Oversee tax reconciliations and collaborate with tax providers, Treasury and Accounting during close periods (month-end, quarter-end, and year-end).
Liaise with auditors and store controllers where needed.
Maintain accurate case documentation and timely follow‑up within the payroll ticketing or vended service system.
Conduct analysis, create, and maintain monthly reports on tax notices, filing trends, defects.
Identify opportunities and make recommendations to strengthen compliance, streamline payroll tax processes, and bring tax matters to an acceptable resolution.
Support cross‑functional projects related to Workday, data integrity, and tax accuracy.
Additional responsibilities as business needs dictate.