Lead Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist

Payroll Tax Lead

St. Louis, MO (hybrid schedule)

Description

The Lead Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist is a senior individual contributor responsible for leading the execution and continuous improvement of payroll tax operations and compliance activities. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant processing of federal, state, and local payroll tax filings, deposits, and reporting across multiple jurisdictions.

• Leads the execution and optimization of daily payroll tax functions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Serves as the senior subject matter expert on U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and labor law compliance.
• Provides technical guidance, mentorship, and knowledge transfer to payroll team members without direct supervisory responsibility.
• Acts as escalation point for complex payroll tax issues, notices, and regulatory matters.
• Ensures timely and accurate processing of payroll tax deposits and filings across multiple operating companies and jurisdictions.
• Leads in-house multi-state tax processing for a large employee population (5,000 employees).
• Oversees execution of new hire reporting, employment verifications, subpoenas, and wage garnishments.
• Coordinates and reviews retroactive tax adjustments, amended filings, and Form W-2 corrections for accuracy and compliance.
• Leads tax registrations in new jurisdictions and closure of inactive tax accounts.
• Prepares payroll tax, compensation, and expense reports for management and regulatory agencies.
• Partners with HR, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and external vendors to ensure integrated compliance and strong internal controls.
  
  

Top Skills Details

Tax,Payroll tax,Income tax

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.
• 5–7 years of progressive experience in in-house, multi-state payroll tax processing for a large
• Construction industry experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated expertise in U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and labor laws.
• Experience resolving tax notices and communicating directly with tax authorities.
  
  

Experience Level

Intermediate Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fenton, MO.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $39.00 - $44.00/hr.

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) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Fenton,MO. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Mar 28, 2026.
  
  

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® double diamond 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 astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.