Payroll Tax Specialist

We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, inclusive culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM.

Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Tax Specialist to join our team. This role is crucial in supporting complex tax projects and ongoing managed payroll clients. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of federal, state, and local tax regulations and the ability to apply these laws in practice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform federal, state, and local tax reconciliations
• Conduct work and live audits/scrubs to ensure reciprocity, real-time data accuracy, system configuration, and regulatory compliance
• Resolve notices and interact with tax agencies effectively
• Register for and close tax accounts as needed
• File payroll tax returns and amendments, including Forms 941(X), 940, W-2©, and state and local returns
• Reconcile COVID tax relief credits and stay updated on affiliated regulations
• Navigate business policies in tandem with complex payroll tax laws
• Execute presentations to all levels of the organization with confidence
• Fact-check systems and client decisions using payroll tax knowledge
• Create training materials for both clients and internal teams
• Lead projects and manage tasks within budget and time constraints
• Knowledge of local tax lookup sites and how to enter, apply, and audit on employee records or in payroll registers/agency returns
• Balance payroll liabilities for the quarter against collections (QTR return reconciliations)
• Create audits to identify and resolve tax variances
• Prepare and amend tax returns such as 941, 940, state withholding returns, etc
• Make tax adjustments for incorrect work state, residence state, etc
• Enter tax information for work, residence, SUI, locals, and understand reciprocity
• Perform W-2 reconciliations at year-end, verifying annual wage basis, rates, and taxability of earnings and deductions

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in federal, state, and local tax reconciliations
• 8+ years of experience in full cycle US payroll processing, including year-end activities
• Proven experience in notice resolution and agency interaction
• Experience with registering for and closing tax accounts
• Proficiency in filing payroll tax returns and amendments (Forms 941(X), 940, W-2©, state and local returns)
• Experience reconciling COVID tax relief credits and understanding affiliated regulations
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulation
• Ability to navigate business policies alongside complex payroll tax laws
• Strong presentation skills and comfortability in executing presentations to all organizational levels
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience in creating training materials for clients and internal teams
• Comfortable leading and taking direction
• Adept at project management and self-managing tasks to meet budget and time constraints
• Knowledge of local tax lookup sites and how to enter, apply, and audit on employee records or in payroll registers/agency returns
• Ability to balance payroll liabilities for the quarter against collections
• Experience creating audits to identify and resolve tax variances
• Knowledge of and/or preparation of tax returns/amendments such as 941, 940, state withholding returns, etc
• Ability to make tax adjustments for incorrect work state, residence state, etc
• Proficiency in entering tax information for work, residence, SUI, locals, and understanding reciprocity
• Experience performing W-2 reconciliations at year-end, verifying annual wage basis, rates, and taxability of earnings and deductions

At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.

As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer all applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender (including gender identity and/or gender expression); sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. 

Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at careers@rsmus.com.

RSM does not intend to hire entry level candidates who will require sponsorship now OR in the future (i.e. F-1 visa holders). If you are a recent U.S. college / university graduate possessing 1-2 years of progressive and relevant work experience in a same or similar role to the one for which you are applying, excluding internships, you may be eligible for hire as an experienced associate.

RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the requirements of applicable law, including but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For additional information regarding RSM’s background check process, including information about job duties that necessitate the use of one or more types of background checks, click here.

At RSM, an employee’s pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.

Individuals selected for this role will be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance.