Tax Specialist at Pavago in South Africa

Tax Specialist (U.S. Tax Compliance, Preparation & Tax Planning) – Remote | U.S. Hours

Position Type: Full-Time, Remote Working Hours: U.S. Business Hours

About the Role

At Pavago, one of our clients is hiring an experienced Tax Specialist to manage U.S. tax preparation, compliance, filings, and tax planning across individual and business entities.

This is a hands-on tax role requiring strong knowledge of U.S. federal and state taxation, IRS requirements, individual and business tax returns, and tax compliance.

You will be responsible for:

• Preparing and reviewing Forms 1040, 1120, and 1065
• Managing federal, state, and multi-state tax compliance
• Handling quarterly estimated taxes and extensions
• Researching changing tax laws and IRS guidance
• Responding to tax notices and supporting audits
• Identifying deductions, credits, and tax-saving opportunities
• Maintaining accurate, audit-ready tax documentation

If you have strong experience in U.S. tax preparation and compliance and can balance technical accuracy, deadlines, and tax planning, this role is a strong fit.

What You’ll Own

U.S. Tax Preparation & Filing

• Prepare and review individual tax returns (Form 1040)
• Prepare and review corporate tax returns (Form 1120)
• Prepare and review partnership returns (Form 1065)
• Calculate and coordinate quarterly estimated tax payments
• Prepare and file tax extensions
• Manage federal and state filing requirements
• Maintain organized tax calendars and filing schedules
• Ensure returns are accurate, complete, compliant, and submitted on time

Federal, State & Multi-State Tax Compliance

• Monitor changes to:
  • IRS guidance
  • Federal tax laws
  • State and local tax requirements
• Maintain compliance across applicable jurisdictions
• Support multi-state tax requirements
• Assist with:
  • Payroll tax
  • Sales tax
  • Property tax
• Identify potential compliance risks before they result in penalties or missed deadlines
• Maintain accurate supporting records for tax filings

Tax Planning & Advisory

• Analyze financial information to identify potential:
  • Tax deductions
  • Credits
  • Tax-saving opportunities
  • Liability reduction strategies
• Support tax-efficient transaction planning
• Research tax implications of business and financial decisions
• Clearly communicate tax considerations and compliance requirements
• Assist with international tax matters when applicable, including:
  • FBAR
  • FATCA
  • Transfer pricing

IRS Notices, Audits & Tax Inquiries

• Review and respond to IRS and state tax notices
• Prepare documentation for audits and regulatory inquiries
• Maintain organized, audit-ready tax schedules and supporting files
• Research discrepancies and determine appropriate responses
• Coordinate with internal teams and external advisors when necessary
• Track outstanding notices and inquiries through resolution

Tax Research & Documentation

• Research tax regulations, IRS guidance, and filing requirements
• Document tax positions and assumptions used in filings
• Maintain organized supporting schedules and workpapers
• Keep tax compliance procedures and documentation current
• Ensure records are complete, accessible, and audit-ready

Accounting & Finance Collaboration

• Work closely with accounting and finance teams
• Support month-end and year-end close activities when tax input is required
• Ensure alignment between financial statements and tax reporting
• Collaborate with:
  • Finance leadership
  • External CPAs
  • Auditors
  • Tax advisors
• Resolve discrepancies between accounting records and tax filings

Required Experience & Skills

• 3+ years of professional U.S. tax preparation, tax compliance, or tax accounting experience
• Strong understanding of:
  • U.S. federal tax law
  • State tax compliance
  • IRS filing requirements
• Hands-on experience preparing individual and business tax returns
• Experience with Forms 1040, 1120, and 1065
• Experience using professional tax software such as:
  • UltraTax
  • Drake
  • Lacerte
  • ProSeries
  • Similar professional tax platforms
• Familiarity with IRS e-filing systems and state tax portals
• Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills
• Strong reconciliation and analytical abilities
• Excellent attention to detail and deadline management
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills
• Ability to work independently during U.S. business hours

Nice to Have

• CPA or Enrolled Agent (EA) certification
• Master’s degree in Taxation
• Multi-state tax experience
• International tax exposure
• Familiarity with FBAR, FATCA, or transfer pricing
• Experience supporting:
  • High-net-worth individuals
  • Closely held businesses
  • Multi-entity organizations
• Industry experience in:
  • SaaS
  • Real estate
  • Professional services
• Experience handling IRS or state audits and notices
• Experience working with U.S.-based accounting or tax teams

What Makes You a Strong Fit

You may be especially successful in this role if you:

• Have strong technical knowledge of U.S. taxation
• Are highly accurate and detail-oriented
• Manage filing deadlines without requiring constant oversight
• Stay current with changing tax laws and regulations
• Can research complex tax questions independently
• Proactively identify compliance risks
• Look for legitimate opportunities to improve tax efficiency
• Can explain complex tax concepts clearly to non-tax stakeholders
• Maintain clean, organized, audit-ready documentation

What a Typical Day Looks Like

Your day may include:

• Reviewing upcoming federal and state filing deadlines
• Preparing individual, corporate, and partnership tax returns
• Reviewing tax schedules and reconciliations
• Calculating estimated tax payments
• Researching federal or state tax requirements
• Analyzing financial records for deductions and tax-planning opportunities
• Responding to IRS or state notices
• Coordinating with accounting and finance teams
• Maintaining audit-ready tax documentation
• Monitoring changes in tax laws and IRS guidance

In short: You ensure tax filings are accurate and timely, compliance risks are controlled, and legitimate tax-planning opportunities are identified.

Key Metrics for Success

• 100% on-time completion of required tax filings
• Zero missed filing deadlines
• Minimal compliance penalties attributable to filing errors
• Accuracy of tax returns, schedules, and reconciliations
• Timely resolution of IRS and state notices
• Strong audit readiness and documentation quality
• Identification of legitimate tax-saving opportunities
• Positive feedback from clients, leadership, auditors, and tax stakeholders

Why This Role Stands Out

• High-impact role across tax, finance, and compliance
• Hands-on exposure to individual and business taxation
• Opportunity to work across multiple entities and tax structures
• Exposure to federal, state, and potentially international tax matters
• Opportunity to contribute to both tax compliance and planning
• Direct collaboration with finance leadership and external advisors
• Fully remote working environment
• Long-term growth potential within Tax, Accounting, Finance, and Tax Advisory

Interview Process

1. Initial Phone Screen
2. Spark Hire Intro Video
3. Video Interview with Pavago Recruiter
4. Practical Tax Assessment
5. Client Interview with Finance/Tax Leadership
6. Offer & Background Verification

Apply Now

If you have strong experience in U.S. tax preparation and compliance, understand federal and state filing requirements, and enjoy combining technical tax work with research and planning, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now to take ownership of tax preparation, compliance, audit support, and tax-planning initiatives in a high-accountability remote environment.

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