Director Tax
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store • Lebanon, Tennessee • Full Time
Posted on Fri, Jun 5, 2026
They say you are the company you keep - and at Cracker Barrel, we take that seriously. At the Store Support Center, we’re in the business of serving those who serve our guests. Whether you’re designing solutions, telling our story, or setting our teams up for success, your work makes a difference every single day. Here, the work means more because we take pride in doing it together. So, join our team and find your place, because here...we’re all in good company.
What You'll Do - You'll Make the Moment
- Tax Compliance & Audits
- Oversees the preparation of the federal, state, local and franchise tax returns including the apportionment schedules, M-1 adjustments, intercompany pricing studies and supporting details.
- Reviews Federal, State and Local Income/Franchise quarterly estimates, approval of annual Federal, State and Local extension filings and estimated payment requirements.
- Oversees the processing of sales and use tax returns, gross receipts taxes, franchise tax returns, escheat property filings, real property tax appeals and personal property tax renditions/filings.
- Reviews applicable federal, state, local and franchise tax regulations and developments to ensure compliance & timely application to the company income tax returns, tax provision and related projections.
- Responsible for the overall federal, state, local, and franchise tax audit process including planning, timing, assessment evaluation, appeals, settlement negotiation, and closing.
- Guides the tax department staff in interpreting audit requests, managing the auditors, and preparing and reviewing documents requested by the federal, state and local tax auditors.
- Resolves complex interpretation and/or assessment discrepancies; assists in interpreting disagreements if legal action is pursued.
- Tax Accounting
- Oversees the Tax Department’s accounting responsibilities for monthly, quarterly and year-end closing of the books including tax deprecation records and related schedules, legal entity accounting, legal entity financial statements, tax provision accruals and other tax accounting matters as necessary.
- Responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the income tax provision, ASC 740 reserves, deferred taxes and related footnote disclosures in the financial statements and the accuracy of all tax-related reports and information.
- Prepares annual budget and projection updates for the effective tax rate, income taxes, and other business taxes including real and personal property tax, gross receipts taxes, franchise taxes and business license expense.
- Communicates and interprets tax records and procedures with other departments, consultants, and state, federal, local and external auditors.
- Tax Planning
- Responsible for identification and application of tax planning ideas and opportunities including but not limited to the use and optimization of existing legal structure, transfer pricing methods, management fees, etc.
- Actively monitors trends and developments in the restaurant and retail industry and maintains awareness of changes in rules, regulations and legislative activity that may have an impact of the company.
- Works and cooperates with external industry groups such as RILA from time to time to provide information to support legislative changes which benefit the company and industry.
- Actively utilizes research and professional networks to seek alternative solutions to problems and challenges.
- Management and Leadership
- Supervises, develops, and maintains the Tax Department staff in order to ensure deadlines are met, accounting is accurate and penalties are avoided.
- Performs personnel actions to include interviewing, hiring, terminations, performance evaluations, disciplinary action, etc.
- Prepares the department’s annual general and administrative budget ensuring effective utilization of company resources and organizational requirements.
- Works with senior executives to implement tax planning solutions, establishes the vision for the tax department team and leads the department through effective planning, problem solving and the effective management of people and projects.
- Manages and approves current system enhancements in order to minimize efforts and increase productivity of the department.
- Assists in software selection and design to benefit the overall company and reduce taxes.
- Ensures Tax Department systems, other department’s systems and store’s systems comply with all tax regulations. Other duties and responsibilities as directed.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting including 15-20 years tax
- Tax accounting experience with 7-10 years supervisory experience.
- CPA required
- Substantial knowledge and experience pertaining to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles including financial reporting of the income tax provision, ASC 740, deferred taxes and the related footnotes to the financial statements.
- Extensive knowledge and experience pertaining to Federal & State Income tax regulations and in-house return preparation, sales and use tax regulations and operations, business taxation and operations, unclaimed property and personal property tax.
- Current knowledge and demonstrated experience in the area of state and local tax planning including legal entity structure, transfer pricing, management fees and intercompany transactions. Experience identifying emerging and developing tax trends, issues and audit risks.
- Thorough knowledge of Tax, AMT, and ACE depreciation methods
- Thorough knowledge of tax and/or accounting systems, process improvement initiatives as well as maintaining a system of internal control.
- Strong oral and written communication skills including presentation experience to senior executives.
- Demonstrated ability to develop relationships at all levels within the company and with the external tax/business community.
- Strong analytical, business acumen and decision-making skills.
- Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
- Strong computer skills and spreadsheet skills.
Focus on You
We're all about making sure you're taken care of too. Here's what's in it for you:
Good Work Deserves Good Pay: Competitive Annual Salary | Annual Bonus Opportunities
Support That Goes Beyond the Clock: Medical, Rx, Dental and Vision Benefits on Day 1| Life Insurance and Disability Coverage | Paid Vacation/Employee Assistance Program
Grow and Thrive Your Way: Business Resource Groups | Tuition Reimbursement | Professional Development
Culture of Belonging:Support that starts on day one | Onboarding, training, and development to help you thrive | Recognition programs and employee events that bring us together
Invest in Your Future: 401k Plan with Company Matching Contributions at 90 days | Employee Stock Purchase Program
More Perks, Just Because: 35% Discount on Cracker Barrel Food and Retail items | Exclusive Biscuit Perks like discounts on home, travel, cell phones, and more!
A Little About Us
Since 1969, Cracker Barrel has been a place to gather around delicious food, abundant servings, unexpected finds, and a warm welcome. Over time, it's become even more - somewhere folks can reconnect and feel at home. With more than 70,000 team members nationwide, we take pride in our roots -- always serving up more than a meal.
See for yourself. Apply now.
Cracker Barrel is an equal opportunity employer.
Qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or any other class expressly protected by law.