Payroll Tax Specialist

Job Title: Payroll Tax Specialist Job Description
The Payroll Tax Specialist manages complex federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and compliance activities, serving as the subject matter expert on payroll tax regulations and reporting. This role is responsible for resolving tax notices, audits, discrepancies, and agency inquiries, establishing and maintaining payroll tax accounts and registrations, and supporting year-end processing such as W-2s, W-2Cs, and tax reconciliations. The specialist partners with internal teams and government agencies to address payroll tax and compliance issues, supports payroll tax operations for Financial Management Services (FMS) programs, and drives process improvements that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and compliance, including specialized Fiscal/Employer Agent (FEA) scenarios and caregiver payroll programs.
Responsibilities
- Manage federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and ensure ongoing compliance with applicable regulations.
- Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll tax regulations, reporting requirements, and best practices.
- Research and resolve payroll tax notices, audits, discrepancies, and inquiries from tax agencies.
- Establish, maintain, and update payroll tax accounts and registrations across multiple jurisdictions.
- Support year-end payroll tax processing, including preparation and review of W-2s, W-2Cs, and tax reconciliations.
- Partner with internal teams to identify, investigate, and resolve payroll tax and compliance issues.
- Work directly with state and federal agencies regarding filings, registrations, and payroll tax matters.
- Support payroll tax operations for Financial Management Services (FMS) programs and related services.
- Identify and implement process improvements that increase payroll tax accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
- Manage payroll tax compliance for Fiscal/Employer Agent (FEA) programs, including Difficulty of Care payments, family caregiver payroll tax exemptions, tax adjustments and refunds, and other specialized payroll tax scenarios.
- Ensure compliance with IRS Notice 2014-7 and other applicable federal and state regulations affecting exempt payments and caregiver payroll programs.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of payroll tax processes and compliance strategies, providing insights based on multi-state payroll tax operations.
Essential Skills
- 4+ years of payroll tax experience.
- Strong knowledge of payroll processing and payroll tax principles.
- Hands-on experience with multi-state payroll tax compliance and operations.
- Experience managing payroll tax filings, responding to notices, supporting audits, and handling agency communications.
- Solid understanding of federal, state, and local tax regulations related to payroll.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex tax rules and data.
- Effective problem-solving skills to address discrepancies and complex tax scenarios.
- Clear and professional communication skills for collaborating with internal teams and external agencies.
- Ability to work independently and manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
- Experience with ADP and/or Cyma payroll systems.
- Experience supporting Financial Management Services (FMS), Fiscal/Employer Agent (FEA), or third-party payroll administration programs.
- Knowledge of W-2 corrections, payroll tax exemptions, and refund processes.
- Familiarity with specialized caregiver payroll programs and Difficulty of Care payments.
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
Work Environment
This role offers a high-impact position with visibility across the organization and the opportunity to influence payroll tax processes and compliance strategy. You will work with complex multi-state payroll tax operations and gain exposure to Financial Management Services (FMS) and Fiscal/Employer Agent (FEA) programs. For the first 90 days, the position is fully on-site to support onboarding and collaboration, after which it transitions to a hybrid schedule of three days on site and two days remote each week. The environment is fast-paced and detail-oriented, with a strong focus on accuracy, regulatory compliance, and professional development.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbia, MD.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $33.65/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbia, MD.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 12, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Columbia,MD.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.