We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal of Payroll Tax to lead and oversee HP, Inc.’s payroll tax functions for Americas Payroll Region. With a focus on the USA and related territories, the countries of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, and Peru are also within scope. Reporting to the Americas Payroll Director, this role will be responsible for ensuring timely and accurate payroll tax processing, managing tax filings for federal, state, and local payroll taxes, and ensuring full compliance with all regulatory requirements.
This is a senior-level Individual Contributor role. As this role will support Americas region, in particular the USA, candidates will be expected to work USA time zone schedule on a daily basis.
In addition to tax compliance matters, this role will also be responsible for:
- providing direct support for employee-related activities on mobility tax matters and processing relocation-related data with high quality,
- working closely with Stock team to execute processes and procedures for equity wage and tax reporting compliance, and
- coordinating with Retirement Benefits team to ensure HP retirement programs, such as 401(k) and Deferred Compensation plans, are administered accurately and compliantly.
The Principal of Payroll Tax will also be accountable for maintaining and updating payroll tax procedures, job aids, and employee documentation, and will represent Finance with other internal departments and employees as the subject matter expert for this essential compliance function.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in payroll tax compliance and an understanding of the latest tax laws and technologies. This role requires independent thinking and actions in handling the employment tax analysis. The individual must be able to creatively think of ways to connect and combine large volumes of data from a variety of sources, interact, filter and mine data to share insights and ensure a compliant payroll. Knowledge of labor and employment tax regulations in the Americas region is critical.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage payroll tax compliance activities, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local regulations.
- Ensure the accurate and timely administration of equity, mobility, and retirement programs.
- Oversee the accurate and timely filing of payroll tax returns, including federal, state, and local taxes, as well as year-end reporting (e.g., W-2s, 1099s).
- Manage payroll tax audits, including internal and external audits, and ensure timely resolution of audit issues.
- Stay current on payroll tax regulations, tax law changes, and industry best practices, and communicate these changes to relevant stakeholders.
- Review and manage payroll tax processes, ensuring the proper application of withholding taxes, garnishments, and other deductions.
- Collaborate with internal teams (HR, Finance, Legal) to resolve payroll tax issues and ensure efficient processes across functions.
- Provide guidance and leadership to the Americas-region payroll team on employment tax-related matters.
- Support the integration of new payroll systems or technologies to enhance payroll tax operations.
- Manage tax-related reporting, filings, and payments, ensuring compliance with deadlines and accuracy.
- Assist with payroll tax-related aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings.
- Liaise with external payroll providers, tax advisors, and government agencies as necessary.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Tax, Finance, or related field (CPA or CPP certification a plus).
- 7+ years of experience in payroll tax management.
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and regulations.
- Experience managing payroll tax audits and resolving complex payroll tax issues.
- Strong knowledge of stock/equity compensation plans in a globally mobile environment
- Experience with year-end reporting, compensation collection, and tax clearance reporting
- Experience with mobility tax (double taxation, foreign tax credit, income tax treaties, certificates of coverage, social tax agreements, tax equalization agreements)
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to compliance and accuracy.
- Proficiency in payroll systems and Microsoft Excel; experience with payroll software (e.g., Workday HRIS, ADP GlobalView and Streamline, or similar platforms) is a plus.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally.
