Payroll Tax Specialist

TriNet is a leading provider of comprehensive human resources solutions for small to midsize businesses (SMBs). We enhance business productivity by enabling our clients to outsource their HR function to one strategic partner and allowing them to focus on operating and growing their core businesses. Our full-service HR solutions include features such as payroll processing, human capital consulting, employment law compliance and employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans and workers’ compensation insurance. 

TriNet has a nationwide presence and an experienced executive team. Our stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol TNET. If you’re passionate about innovation and making an impact on the large SMB market, come join us as we power our clients’ business success with extraordinary HR.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that many potential applicants discourage themselves from applying to jobs unless they meet every single requirement. TriNet always strives to hire the most qualified candidate for a particular role, ensuring we deliver outstanding results for our small and medium-size customers. So if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every single qualification in the job description, nobody’s perfect – and we encourage you to apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles. 

Job Summary

As a Payroll Tax Analyst, you will play a critical role in ensuring accurate payroll tax calculations, filings, and compliance across federal, state, and local jurisdictions. This role is responsible for supporting end-to-end payroll tax operations, resolving tax discrepancies, managing agency communications, and partnering with internal and external teams to ensure timely and compliant payroll tax processing for clients.

This position is ideal for professionals with strong payroll tax knowledge, high attention to detail, and experience working in a high-volume, client-driven payroll environment.

Role Overview

This role is responsible for executing a broad range of payroll tax operations and compliance activities, including tax setup and maintenance, tax filings and amendments, agency correspondence, notice resolution, and reconciliation activities. The Payroll Tax Analyst partners closely with Payroll Operations, Core Configuration, Technology, and external tax vendors to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll tax outcomes. Accuracy, compliance expertise, and the ability to manage complex, time-sensitive work across multiple jurisdictions are essential to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain payroll tax setup and configuration for federal, state, and local jurisdictions
• Ensure accurate calculation, withholding, and reporting of payroll taxes
• Process and review payroll tax filings (941, 940, W-2, W-3, state/local equivalents)
• Manage tax registration, agency account updates, and jurisdiction changes
• Research and resolve payroll tax discrepancies, variances, and adjustments
• Respond to and resolve tax notices, penalties, and agency inquiries
• Partner with payroll, configuration, and benefits teams to support tax-related changes
• Support quarter-end and year-end payroll tax processes
• Perform tax reconciliations between payroll reports, tax filings, and GL data
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations
• Support audits, internal controls, and documentation requirements

Qualifications Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (preferred). Equivalent payroll tax experience will be considered in lieu of formal education.

Experience

• Minimum 2–4 years of experience in payroll tax administration or payroll operations. Experience supporting multi-state US payroll tax compliance. Experience in a PEO, HR outsourcing, or high-volume payroll environment preferred.

Preferred Certifications

• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) – APA

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of US federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations
• Hands-on experience with payroll tax filings, amendments, and reconciliations
• Ability to analyze payroll tax data and resolve complex discrepancies
• Experience working with payroll tax vendors and government agencies
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced, compliance-driven environment
• Experience with payroll/HRIS platforms such as Workday, SAP, PeopleSoft, ADP, or PEO systems
• Proficiency in Excel and payroll reporting tools

Working Relationships

• Payroll Operations & Core Configuration Teams
• Payroll Technology & Product Teams
• Payroll Tax Vendors and Government Agencies
• Compliance, Finance, and Audit Teams

Work Environment

• Work in a clean, pleasant, and comfortable office work setting. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This position is 100% in office.

Please Note: TriNet reserves the right to change or modify job duties and assignments at any time. The above job description is not all encompassing. Position functions and qualifications may vary depending on business necessity.

TriNet is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants based on race, religion, color, disability, medical condition, legally protected genetic information, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), age, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. Any applicant with a mental or physical disability who requires an accommodation during the application process should contact [email protected] to request such an accommodation.