Payroll Tax Specialist

We are looking for a Payroll Tax Specialist to join a growing organization in Modesto, California on a Contract basis. This position will focus on resolving payroll tax issues, strengthening multi-state compliance practices, and improving the accuracy of tax setup and filings across multiple entities. The ideal candidate brings strong payroll tax knowledge, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities:
• Investigate outstanding payroll tax matters across more than 30 states and drive timely resolution of filing, payment, and account discrepancies.
• Examine prior payroll tax submissions, registration records, and compliance history to uncover gaps and correct unresolved issues.
• Confirm that state, local, and jurisdictional tax settings are configured properly to support accurate withholding, deposits, and return preparation.
• Manage compliance activities in complex multi-state and local tax environments, including regions with city-level tax requirements and prevailing wage considerations.
• Verify tax agency registrations, account details, and filing schedules to ensure obligations are met correctly and on time.
• Create and maintain a centralized reference for payroll tax requirements, account status, and compliance procedures across entities.
• Review current payroll workflows within Gusto or a similar platform, identify inefficiencies, and recommend practical process enhancements.
• Support payroll tax setup for newly established entities and help incorporate acquired businesses into consistent payroll operations while maintaining compliance continuity.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and leadership to strengthen payroll practices, document scalable procedures, and reduce reliance on informal processes or single points of dependency.

Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of payroll experience, including substantial exposure to payroll tax reporting and compliance responsibilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in multi-state payroll tax rules, local tax obligations, tax deposits, and payroll tax return preparation.
• Proven success handling payroll tax remediation work, backlog resolution, audit support, or historical cleanup initiatives.
• Hands-on experience with payroll systems such as Gusto, with the ability to assess setup accuracy and process effectiveness.
• Strong understanding of payroll operations across multiple entities and complex organizational structures.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and adapt within a high-growth or evolving business environment.
• Knowledge of full cycle payroll processes and how tax compliance connects to broader payroll administration.
• Preferred experience in acquisition-driven organizations, private equity-backed environments, or payroll settings involving prevailing wage requirements.

Compensation

$31.35-$36.30 Hourly

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