Payroll & Tax Specialist I Remote

Job Summary
We are seeking a detail-oriented and dependable Payroll and Tax Specialist to manage our full-service payroll operations and ensure seamless HR administration for our team of approximately 20 employees. In this role, you will be responsible for end-to-end payroll processing, multi-state payroll tax withholdings and filings, Workers’ Compensation, unemployment insurance management, and employee onboarding.
The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with full-service payroll outsourcing platforms, a deep understanding of tax compliance, and a strong commitment to delivering an exceptional employee onboarding experience.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Operations & Tax Compliance
Execute end-to-end, full-service payroll processing for ~20 employees accurately and on schedule.
Calculate, withhold, and reconcile local, state, and federal payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA, SUTA, etc.).
Prepare and submit required payroll tax filings, quarterly tax returns, and annual year-end reporting (W-2s, 1099s).
Manage payroll deductions, benefit withholdings, direct deposits, and garnishments in accordance with statutory requirements.
Maintain accurate payroll records, audits, and time-tracking data across accounting and HR systems.
Workers’ Compensation & Unemployment Insurance
Manage state unemployment insurance (SUI) accounts, rate updates, and employer contribution reporting.
Oversee Workers’ Compensation policy administration, annual audits, classification tracking, and claim filings.
Monitor regulatory changes and ensure continuous compliance with federal, state, and local labor and tax laws.
Onboarding & Employment Administration
Lead the payroll and benefits onboarding process for new hires, including Form I-9 verification, W-4 collection, direct deposit setup, and state reporting.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding payroll inquiries, tax withholding updates, pay stubs, and tax forms.
Support ongoing employment-related administration, offboarding, final paycheck calculations, and employee record management.
Qualifications & Requirements
Experience: 1+ years of experience in payroll processing, payroll tax compliance, or HR administration.
Payroll Systems: Experience with full-service payroll software/outsourcing platforms (e.g., ADP, Gusto, Paychex, Quickbooks Payroll, or similar).
Tax Knowledge: Strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, withholdings, and reporting requirements.
Compliance Skills: Direct experience managing Workers’ Compensation policies, audits, and unemployment insurance accounts.
Detail-Oriented: High level of accuracy with numerical data, payroll calculations, and regulatory documentation.
Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to explain payroll and tax concepts clearly to employees.
Discretion: Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive employee information with absolute discretion.
Preferred Qualifications
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is a plus.
Prior experience managing payroll for small-to-midsize businesses (~20–50 employees).

Work arrangement
Yes