Senior Tax Associate

This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful candidate will have the option to perform this role remotely at a location of their choosing within the United States.

The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working outside New York State.

Note: No Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

What is the Division of Financial Services and the University Tax Office?
Cornell University, unique among peers, is the federal land-grant institution of New York State, a private endowed university, and a member of the Ivy League. The Division of Financial Services (DFS) provides central financial functions in support of the university’s academic mission. The Division of Financial Service’s vision is, "To deliver world-class financial services to the university." 

The University Tax Office is responsible for managing the federal, state, and international tax compliance for Cornell University and its related entities and acting as a resource to the University for tax-related issues.

What you will do:

Reporting to the Assistant Tax Director, the Senior Tax Associate, supports the institution’s tax compliance reporting and related advisory to the campus community as well as administrative and accounting matters related to federal, state, local, and international tax laws and regulations.

The Senior Tax Associate will be responsible for:

• Providing support to ensure all of the University’s and certain affiliates’ tax returns are prepared, submitted, and paid on a timely basis with the appropriate taxing authority.
• Providing support for specific transactions and/or circumstances for payroll, accounting, and other University departments.
• Assist with providing guidance to DFS Tax and Payroll staff on tax-related activities.
• Supporting the Assistant Tax Director with tax reporting compliance and strategy, including researching, monitoring, and interpreting current and proposed legislative tax developments, regulations, court cases, and issues related to colleges and universities.
• Assist in reviewing and monitoring the University activities for potential unrelated business activities to ensure compliance with tax regulations. 
• Assist in researching and advising departments on tax consequences of new and proposed activities, including but not limited to, unrelated business income, nonresident alien, employment reporting, and withholding issues.
• Providing support for monitoring the University’s activity outside the U.S. and foreign tax reporting responsibilities.
• Assist in reviewing the University accounting system, contracts, and transactions to identify and advise on tax considerations.
• Assist with coordinating and responding to tax-related information requests from internal and external parties.
• Assist with providing training to the campus, business service center staff, and financial administrative staff concerning tax and other related regulatory and policy issues.
• Assisting with tax audits and tax settlement negotiations.
• Assist with providing advice to international faculty/student population, visiting researchers, and guest lecturers, including guidance on U.S. income and employment tax withholding and reporting requirements for payments made to non-resident aliens, and the application of tax treaty benefits.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

You will support the University’s global tax compliance efforts. You will work with limited supervision/instruction from the Assistant Tax Director to:

• Gather tax reporting data, enter or compile tax data into tax preparation software, files, or documents, analyze data, and perform reconciliations of Tax Office accounts. 
• Preparing assigned university tax returns, that may include U.S. and non-U.S. income and indirect tax returns, workpapers, supporting schedules, and similar documents.