Payroll Tax Analyst Lead - Sensitive Profile

Why USAA?

At USAA, our mission is to empower our members to achieve financial security through highly competitive products, exceptional service and trusted advice. We seek to be the #1 choice for the military community and their families.

Embrace a fulfilling career at USAA, where our core values – honesty, integrity, loyalty and service – define how we treat each other and our members. Be part of what truly makes us special and impactful.

We are proud to support active-duty military spouses. USAA roles may offer remote or hybrid flexibility for active-duty military spouses consistent with applicable policy and business needs.

The Opportunity

As a dedicated Payroll Tax Analyst Lead, you will be responsible for providing expert-level guidance on all aspects of payroll taxation in a complex multi-state, multi-entity financial services environment. This role serves as the primary subject matter expert, ensuring compliance with complex federal, state, and local tax laws, regulations, and reporting requirements. The incumbent proactively identifies and mitigates tax risks, leads complex tax-related projects, and supports the business by delivering accurate, timely, and efficient payroll tax solutions.

This job profile is designated as a Sensitive Position. Sensitive Positions are those positions in which individuals have the authority and ability to conduct in-scope activities (movement of USAA or Member funds) as defined within the Enterprise Sensitive Positions Mandatory Time-Away Compliance Policy. Employees in Sensitive Positions are required to fulfill a Mandatory Time-Away (MTA) requirement of 10 consecutive business days each calendar year.

We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office 4 days per week. This position can be based in San Antonio, TX. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

What you'll do:

• Serve as the lead payroll tax subject matter expert, providing guidance and knowledge sharing on payroll tax matters, including wage limits, reciprocity agreements, multi-state withholding, unemployment tax, nonresident taxation, business travelers, expatriates, inbound employees, and fringe benefits.
• Serve as the escalation point and lead resolution efforts for complex payroll tax issues, audits, compliance matters, tax authority inquiries, and notices, ensuring timely and accurate responses that mitigate organizational risk and avoid penalties and interest.
• Monitor, interpret, and implement federal, state, and local payroll tax law and regulatory changes, assessing operational impacts and ensuring ongoing compliance across all jurisdictions.
• Prepare, file, and amend federal, state, and local payroll tax returns and reports, including Forms 941, W-2, and W-2c corrections, utilizing ADP SmartCompliance and Workday.
• Collaborate with payroll providers and internal stakeholders, including Finance, Legal, and HR Operations, to ensure accurate tax calculations, deposits, filings, and overall payroll tax compliance.
• Perform comprehensive reconciliations of payroll tax accounts, investigating and resolving discrepancies promptly to maintain financial accuracy and integrity.
• Establish and maintain company payroll tax registrations and accounts with state and local tax agencies, ensuring appropriate payroll system setup and reporting configurations.
• Manage and resolve escalated employee payroll tax inquiries, partnering with HR Operations and other stakeholders to drive efficient issue resolution.
• Lead complex payroll tax audit engagements and examinations from initiation through final resolution, serving as the primary organizational representative with tax authorities, auditors, and executive stakeholders. Communicate with precision, accuracy, professionalism, and confidence to effectively manage risk, defend payroll tax positions, and achieve favorable business outcomes.
• Lead and execute complex payroll tax projects, including system implementations, process improvements, regulatory changes, acquisitions, and new entity setups, ensuring successful outcomes and adherence to project objectives.
• Monitor updates from tax agencies, including revised forms, withholding formulas, and reciprocity agreements, to ensure accurate tax withholding and reporting.
• Lead year-end payroll tax activities, including planning, execution, stakeholder communications, and change management initiatives. Develop and implement comprehensive year-end strategies, timelines, and communication plans to ensure accurate reporting, successful delivery of Forms W-2 and related filings, regulatory compliance, for a seamless employee experience.
• Assist with other payroll-related duties and special projects as assigned.
• Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

What you have:

• Bachelor's Degree; OR 4 years of related experience (in addition to the minimum years of experience required) may be substituted in lieu of degree.
• 8 years of progressive, relevant work experience preferably within a large, multi-state, multi-entity organization, including a remote workforce.
• Deep and demonstrable expertise of federal, multi-state, and local wage and hour, garnishment, and tax regulations.
• Subject-matter-expert knowledge of taxation for non-resident, business traveler, expats, inpats, and fringe benefits.
• Proven experience with payroll tax compliance software and systems, such as Workday Payroll and ADP Smart Compliance.
• Highly proficient in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively consult with and advise stakeholders at all organizational levels, building trust and credibility. Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, work effectively under pressure, and meet stringent deadlines in a fast-paced, regulated environment.

Compensation range: The salary range for this position is: $114,080 - $218,030.

USAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Please do not apply for this role if at any time (now or in the future) you will need immigration support (i.e., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT Training Plans, etc.).

Compensation: USAA has an effective process for assessing market data and establishing ranges to ensure we remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range based on your experience and market data of the position. The actual salary for this role may vary by location.

Employees may be eligible for pay incentives based on overall corporate and individual performance and at the discretion of the USAA Board of Directors.

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.

Benefits: At USAA our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k), pension, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours, and various wellness programs. Additionally, our career path planning and continuing education assists employees with their professional goals.

For more details on our outstanding benefits, visit our benefits page on USAAjobs.com.

Applications for this position are accepted on an ongoing basis, this posting will remain open until the position is filled. Thus, interested candidates are encouraged to apply the same day they view this posting.

USAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.