Payroll Tax Analyst
Houston • Houston, Texas • Full Time
Posted on Tue, Jun 2, 2026
The Sr Payroll Tax Professional is the subject matter expert for US payroll taxes, responsible for end-to-end ownership of payroll tax compliance, reporting, and governance across federal, state, and local jurisdictions.
This role plays a key part in the organization’s ERP transformation, ensuring payroll tax requirements are clearly defined, tested, and embedded into new systems and processes.
The position goes beyond processing. Reporting to the US Payroll Manager and acting as a key support, the role drives tax accuracy, leads training and capability building within the payroll team, supports complex employee scenarios (including expatriates and gross-ups), and acts as the primary point of contact for employee tax queries.
Responsibilities
Payroll Tax Ownership & Compliance
- Own and execute all US payroll tax activities including federal, state, and local filings (941, 940, W-2, W-3)
- Manage quarterly and year-end processes, amendments, and corrections
- Ensure compliance across all jurisdictions
- Reconcile payroll tax balances and align with General Ledger
- Manage tax notices and agency correspondence
Subject Matter Expertise & Advisory
- Act as the go-to expert for payroll tax matters
- Provide guidance on complex scenarios and regulatory changes
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of tax legislation
Employee Support & Complex Cases
- Respond to employee payroll tax queries
- Manage expat taxation, gross-ups, and multi-state taxation issues
Partner with HR, Employment Tax and Global Mobility teams
Training & Capability Building
- Train and upskill payroll team members
- Develop SOPs and training materials
- Act as escalation point for tax-related issues
ERP & Transformation
- Act as payroll tax SME for ERP implementation (e.g., Oracle Fusion)
- Define tax requirements and ensure accurate system configuration
- Support testing, validation, and issue resolution
Partner with project teams to ensure compliant payroll tax processes in the new system
Process Improvement & Controls
- Drive continuous improvement in processes and controls
- Perform audits and enhance documentation
Support system changes and enhancements
- Stakeholder Management
- Collaborate with Payroll, HR, Accounting, Tax, Legal, and Audit teams
- Partner with external providers (e.g., Dayforce)
Support reporting for leadership
- Operational Payroll Support
- Support payroll processing as required
- Ensure accuracy of inputs and outputs
- Performs other duties assigned by Payroll Manager.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Qualifications
- High school diploma, General Education Degree (GED), Accounting degree and/or an associate’s degree preferred.
- Minimum seven (7) years of knowledge and work experience of payroll, tax, or combination of education and experience.
- Ability to prepare and file payroll tax returns and reports, including Federal Forms 941,940, W-2, W-3, State and Local filings.
- Extensive multi-state and multi-jurisdictional payroll tax compliance experience.
- PeopleSoft/Oracle Software experience desired.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics
Knowledge of appropriate steps to analytical problem solving.
Ability to train and influence others.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
Ability to work in a team environment, remaining attentive to ideas, recognizing responsibilities, and actively participating with others to accomplish assignments and achieve desired goals.
Treats others fairly and with respect.
Knowledge of department policies, rules, regulations, business goals, vision, organizational structure, culture, philosophy, operating principles and values, etc.
Ability to establish and maintain project priorities.
Seeking new learning experiences.
Identifies what needs to be done and acts before being asked or required.
High attention to detail.
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Employee benefits vary by role, however, may include Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Retirement Savings, Life and Disability, Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program.