Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist (Remote)

Job Description

Atwell is seeking a detail-oriented remote Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist to support payroll processing while serving as a key resource for payroll tax compliance across multiple entities. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate tax setup, monitoring payroll tax regulations, resolving tax notices, supporting audits, and maintaining compliance across a multi-state workforce.

The ideal candidate has strong payroll experience, a working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements, and the ability to research, interpret, and apply regulatory changes in a fast-paced environment. This position will partner closely with senior payroll staff, HR, finance, and third-party providers to ensure payroll accuracy and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Support weekly and bi-weekly payroll processing, including bonuses, special earnings, and other payroll adjustments.
• Monitor federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and translate regulatory changes into actionable payroll procedures.
• Manage payroll tax notices, including federal, state, local, unemployment, withholding, and jurisdictional discrepancies.
• Partner with tax agencies and third-party payroll providers, including ADP, to investigate and resolve payroll tax issues.
• Audit employee “lived in” and “worked in” data across multiple entities and states to ensure accurate tax jurisdiction mapping.
• Review employee tax profiles to confirm occupational taxes, local withholdings, and state-specific requirements are active and calculating correctly.
• Monitor State Unemployment Insurance accounts, new state registrations, and SUI rate accuracy.
• Support audits related to state-specific tax exemptions, PFML, paid leave programs, and other payroll tax exclusions.
• Assist with employee lifecycle updates, including new hires, terminations, and status changes, to ensure accurate payroll data flow.
• Facilitate internal bank transfers and payroll-related remittances, including FSA funding.
• Support timesheet governance by helping track employee and manager submission/approval deadlines.
• Identify payroll tax trends, recommend corrective actions, and help prevent recurring compliance issues.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher in Accounting, Business, Human Resources, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of HR/payroll experience with a focus on payroll tax and compliance.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll tax filings, regulations, audits, reconciliations, and tax notice resolution.
• Knowledge of ADP or a similar payroll system required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Deltek Vision experience preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Ability to research payroll tax requirements and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with payroll, HR, finance, and external partners.

Disclaimer

While AI tools may support your application process, this role is built on human talent. Your judgment, experience, and character matter most, so we encourage you to showcase what makes you uniquely you.

Atwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from any 3rd party agencies. No fee will be paid to 3rd parties who submit unsolicited resumes to any Atwell employee. Resumes from approved vendors must be specifically requested by Atwell and approved by the Atwell Talent Acquisition Team.

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