JOB SUMMARY:
Supervise the company’s domestic and international indirect tax compliance and U.S. state income and franchise tax compliance, including review of returns, notices, and changes in tax requirements. Oversee VAT, GST, sales and use tax, withholding, and vessel itinerary analyses. Support income tax provisions, direct tax filings, and international information reporting. Review staff and advisor deliverables, maintain effective controls, and provide practical guidance to internal teams.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Indirect Tax Compliance and Reporting
- Oversee the preparation, review and filing of VAT, GST, sales and use tax, freight tax, and other assigned indirect tax returns, supporting workpapers, and payments across domestic and international jurisdictions.
- Manage the compliance calendar, registrations, renewals, and de-registrations; coordinate with foreign offices and external providers to resolve filing issues and meet deadlines.
- Review source data, tax calculations, and general ledger reconciliations; coordinate indirect tax accruals, adjustments, and payment requests with Accounting and Treasury.
- Evaluate the tax treatment of purchases and sales, including use tax accruals, input VAT recovery, refund claims, exemptions, and zero-rating; maintain required certificates and supporting documentation.
- Oversee assigned withholding tax calculations, returns, remittances, and certificates; maintain tax residency, treaty relief, and other supporting documentation, as applicable.
- Liaise effectively with external tax advisors, consultants, and vendors.
- Vessel Itineraries and Operational Tax Analysis
- Review proposed and revised vessel itineraries, port calls, embarkation and disembarkation locations, and related activities to identify tax exposure, registration requirements, and reporting obligations.
- Analyze the indirect tax implications of onboard sales, shore excursions, land and air arrangements, vessel provisioning, and other cruise operations; document findings in jurisdictional analyses and tax memoranda.
- Work with itinerary planning, revenue, procurement, and operations teams to implement tax requirements before new sailings or operational changes and communicate the related costs and compliance steps.
- State Income and Franchise Tax Compliance
- Manage day-to-day U.S. state income and franchise tax compliance, including reviewing returns, extensions, estimated tax payments, and supporting workpapers prepared by staff and external providers.
- Review state modifications, apportionment, nexus, and filing positions; reconcile returns to federal tax workpapers and financial records and maintain state net operating loss and credit schedules.
- Review state tax notices, assessments, and correspondence; research discrepancies, coordinate responses and amended filings as needed, and track issues through resolution.
- Monitor state tax law changes, federal conformity updates, and changes in business activity; assess their impact on filings, estimates, and tax positions and coordinate implementation with advisors.
- Direct Tax Compliance and Provision Support
- Support the preparation and review of U.S. federal and foreign income tax returns, supporting schedules, and related payments, international information filings, and Country-by-Country reporting in coordination with internal teams and advisors.
- Support quarterly and annual ASC 740 provisions and disclosures, including current and deferred taxes, state provision workpapers, return-to-provision adjustments, and related reconciliations; assist with valuation allowance and uncertain tax position analyses and audit requests.
- Research and Business Support
- Monitor changes in domestic and international tax laws, assess their impact on business activities, and recommend updates to procedures and tax treatment for management review.
- Coordinate responses to tax notices and domestic and international audits, including data requests, reconciliations, and supporting documentation; escalate material exposures and unresolved matters to management.
- Serve as a resource for internal teams and foreign offices on tax questions and coordinate technical advice with external providers.
- Supervision Controls and Process Improvement
- Assign and prioritize compliance work, review staff and provider deliverables, resolve review comments, and monitor completion. Coach team members and provide timely technical guidance and feedback.
- Maintain documented procedures, review controls, and organized tax records to support consistent compliance and audit readiness; communicate status, risks, and resource needs to management.
- Identify opportunities to improve data quality and automate recurring calculations, reconciliations, and filings.
- Leverage tax technology, automation tools, and data analytics to streamline reporting and compliance processes.
- Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation
- Master's degree in Tax a plus, or any equivalent combination of relevant work experience and education
- CPA license a plus
EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum 5 years of experience in public accounting firm or in large corporate tax department.
- Big 4 experience highly preferred.
- Hands-on experience with VAT/GST, U.S. sales and use tax, and state return review. Experience with ASC 740 provisions, federal and international income tax compliance, withholding tax, and international information reporting preferred.
- Cruise, maritime, travel, or hospitality industry experience are a plus.
- Experience with process improvement initiatives, including leveraging technology and AI tools to streamline tax operations and enhance accuracy a plus.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
- Strong organizational skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong proficiency with computers including Microsoft applications.
- Strong proficiency with tax software applications.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Ability to analyze, interpret and clearly communicate data.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to multi-task in a fast paced, deadline-oriented environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills to effectively work with internal and external clients to accomplish goals
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
