Payroll Tax Analyst

LHH Recruitment Solutions is partnering with an organization in Overland Park on this search. We are seeking a Senior Payroll Tax Analyst to play a critical, highly visible role within a growing People Services organization. This is a newly created position designed for a true subject matter expert in payroll tax who thrives in a build-oriented, evolving environment. This individual will serve as the most senior individual contributor on the payroll team, partnering closely with leadership to assess, design, and elevate the payroll tax function.

The role requires a high level of autonomy, analytical depth, and the ability to create structure in a fast-paced, transformation-focused environment.

• Lead end-to-end payroll tax compliance across federal, state, and local jurisdictions
• Perform deep audits of payroll tax processes, filings, and system configurations to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Identify gaps and implement improvements related to:
• Tax filings and reconciliations
• W-2 accuracy and corrections (W-2c)
• Payroll tax processes and controls
• Evaluate and assess HRIS/payroll system configurations (Workday preferred) to ensure proper tax setup and functionality
• Manage and resolve tax notices, discrepancies, and agency inquiries
• Support and lead payroll tax audits, including documentation and coordination with internal and external partners
• Research and interpret multi-state payroll tax laws and regulatory changes, ensuring ongoing compliance
• Build scalable processes and frameworks to support future growth and standardization

• Build vs. maintain:
  This role will focus heavily on designing and overhauling the payroll tax function over the first 6–12 months
• High visibility:
  Direct partnership with payroll leadership and key stakeholders
• Autonomy:
  Opportunity to shape processes, controls, and best practices from the ground up
• Evolving environment: A dynamic, growth-oriented setting that requires adaptability and initiative

• Deep expertise in U.S. payroll tax (not payroll processing)
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-state payroll tax compliance across 20+ states
• Required expertise in Ohio and/or Pennsylvania payroll taxes (Ohio strongly preferred)
• Proven success in:
• Payroll tax audits
• Tax filings and reconciliations
• W-2 review and corrections
• Experience evaluating or auditing payroll system configurations (Workday preferred, not required)
• Strong understanding of complex tax jurisdictions (e.g., CA, CO, WA, OR highly preferred; GA, VA, KS a plus)

• Professional certifications such as CPP or FPC
• Experience in high-growth or transformation environments
• Exposure to equity/stock-related payroll scenarios

• True SME mindset with deep ownership of payroll tax function
• Highly independent and comfortable operating with ambiguity
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to communicate complex tax concepts clearly to cross-functional stakeholders
• Thrives in environments that require building, not maintaining