Payroll Tax Analyst

The Payroll Tax Analyst is responsible for ensuring accurate calculation, timely filing, and reconciliation, and compliance of all payroll-related taxes across the United States and Canada. This role serves as a subject matter expert for federal, state/provincial, and local payroll tax compliance, with a strong focus on internal controls, SOX compliance, and risk mitigation.

The Payroll Tax Analyst partners closely with Payroll, HR, Finance, Legal and third-party payroll tax vendors to ensure accurate, compliant, and well-controlled payroll tax operations.

Key Responsibilities 

Payroll Tax Compliance & Reporting 

• Ensure accurate calculation, withholding, remittance, and reconciliation of payroll taxes, including federal, state, local, and unemployment taxes 

• Support year-end payroll tax activities, including W-2/W-2c, T4, T4A preparation and balancing 

• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll tax compliance in both countries 

• Ensure payroll tax configuration and setup within Workday HCM aligns with regulatory requirements 

Reconciliations & Financial Controls 

• Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliations between payroll results and tax filings 

• Investigate and resolve payroll tax variances, discrepancies, and agency notices in a timely manner 

• Maintain detailed documentation to support reconciliations, filings, and audit requests 

• Execute and maintain payroll tax controls in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements 

• Prepare control evidence and support internal and external audits related to payroll tax processes 

• Identify control gaps, assess risks, and recommend remediation or process enhancements 

 

Vendor & Stakeholder Management 

• Partner with third-party payroll and tax vendors to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant tax processing 

• Serve as a point of contact for payroll tax agencies and auditors 

• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Legal & Audit on payroll tax-related topics 

 

 

 Process Improvement & Transformation 

• Support Workday payroll enhancements, and testing with a focus on payroll tax accuracy and compliance 

• Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and continuous improvement across payroll tax processes 

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), process documentation, and control narratives 

Qualifications 

Required 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience 

• 3–5+ years of payroll tax experience in a multi-state environment 

• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations 

• Working knowledge of Canadian payroll tax requirements including CPP and EI 

• Hands-