OPT Tax Associate Jobs
Tax Associate roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with accounting or finance degrees. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations, supporting both 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM extension if your degree is STEM-designated. Public accounting firms and corporate tax departments regularly sponsor H-1B visas for high-performing associates.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Tax Accountant will report directly to the Tax Manager. Responsibilities include preparing and/or assisting in completing income tax returns at the federal, foreign, and state and local level. This person will assist in the quarterly and annual financial statements that are prepared in accordance with ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes. In addition, this person will assist the Sales Tax Manager with monthly sales tax reporting.
Responsibilities
- Prepare all federal, foreign, and state and local income tax compliance filings.
- Assist with maintaining tax calendar to effectively track statutory and internal due dates for all tax filings.
- Accurately prepare and file miscellaneous state business tax reports in a timely manner.
- Assist with federal state and local tax examinations.
- Assist with federal and state tax notices and maintain notice tracker.
- Assist in the preparation and filing of sales/use tax returns, and other miscellaneous filings.
- Provide analytical support and assistance to the sales tax group with respect to all areas of sales/use tax compliance.
- Coordinate the identification, reporting and follow-up efforts associated with tax related system problems and errors.
- Coordinate tax related testing associated with the implementation of new systems, upgrades, rewrites, or other system related modifications.
- Assist in the preparation and filing of wine excise tax returns.
- Assist in the administration of state sales/use tax audits which includes the compilation of required reports and records, reviewing sampling methodology for fairness, reviewing audit workpapers and schedules for mistakes, and providing documentation and technical authority to support adjustments or needed corrections.
- Assist in the performance and review of special projects assigned by tax department management.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors degree in Accounting or Tax required.
- CPA preferred but not required.
- 1-3 years of experience in taxation with public accounting firm or corporate tax department in the consumer business industry required.
- Knowledge of ASC 740 accounting for taxes preferred, but not required.
- International tax experience including transfer pricing and foreign tax reporting (5471/5472/8858), preferred, but not required.
- Knowledge of federal, state and local income taxes.
- Knowledge of property tax, and sales and use taxes preferred, but not required.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills needed with ability to perform required analysis quickly and accurately under tight deadlines.
- Strong experience using Excel and Word.
- Experience with Thomson Reuter system tools including OneSource and Checkpoint preferred, but not required.
- Ability to work independently, well organized, self-motivated, and commitment to continuous learning.
- Strong communication skills.
COMPENSATION
The expected salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, internal equity, and other factors permitted by law.
BENEFITS
To support our commitment to being an employer of choice, we offer comprehensive and competitive health, wellness, and additional benefits to eligible full-time team members. Benefit eligibility may vary based on location, average hours worked, and length of service.
Benefits may include:
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance for the associate and eligible dependents.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
- Health Savings Account (HSA).
- 401(k) retirement savings program.
- Mental health resources and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Paid vacation time (accrued based on hours worked and tenure).
- Paid company holidays.
- Employee discount across our family of brands.
- Potential eligibility for annual merit-based compensation increases, where applicable.
Exact benefit terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements are governed by official plan documents and applicable law. The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, or terminate benefit plans and programs at any time.
INTRODUCTION
The Tax Accountant will report directly to the Tax Manager. Responsibilities include preparing and/or assisting in completing income tax returns at the federal, foreign, and state and local level. This person will assist in the quarterly and annual financial statements that are prepared in accordance with ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes. In addition, this person will assist the Sales Tax Manager with monthly sales tax reporting.
Responsibilities
- Prepare all federal, foreign, and state and local income tax compliance filings.
- Assist with maintaining tax calendar to effectively track statutory and internal due dates for all tax filings.
- Accurately prepare and file miscellaneous state business tax reports in a timely manner.
- Assist with federal state and local tax examinations.
- Assist with federal and state tax notices and maintain notice tracker.
- Assist in the preparation and filing of sales/use tax returns, and other miscellaneous filings.
- Provide analytical support and assistance to the sales tax group with respect to all areas of sales/use tax compliance.
- Coordinate the identification, reporting and follow-up efforts associated with tax related system problems and errors.
- Coordinate tax related testing associated with the implementation of new systems, upgrades, rewrites, or other system related modifications.
- Assist in the preparation and filing of wine excise tax returns.
- Assist in the administration of state sales/use tax audits which includes the compilation of required reports and records, reviewing sampling methodology for fairness, reviewing audit workpapers and schedules for mistakes, and providing documentation and technical authority to support adjustments or needed corrections.
- Assist in the performance and review of special projects assigned by tax department management.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors degree in Accounting or Tax required.
- CPA preferred but not required.
- 1-3 years of experience in taxation with public accounting firm or corporate tax department in the consumer business industry required.
- Knowledge of ASC 740 accounting for taxes preferred, but not required.
- International tax experience including transfer pricing and foreign tax reporting (5471/5472/8858), preferred, but not required.
- Knowledge of federal, state and local income taxes.
- Knowledge of property tax, and sales and use taxes preferred, but not required.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills needed with ability to perform required analysis quickly and accurately under tight deadlines.
- Strong experience using Excel and Word.
- Experience with Thomson Reuter system tools including OneSource and Checkpoint preferred, but not required.
- Ability to work independently, well organized, self-motivated, and commitment to continuous learning.
- Strong communication skills.
COMPENSATION
The expected salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, internal equity, and other factors permitted by law.
BENEFITS
To support our commitment to being an employer of choice, we offer comprehensive and competitive health, wellness, and additional benefits to eligible full-time team members. Benefit eligibility may vary based on location, average hours worked, and length of service.
Benefits may include:
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance for the associate and eligible dependents.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
- Health Savings Account (HSA).
- 401(k) retirement savings program.
- Mental health resources and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Paid vacation time (accrued based on hours worked and tenure).
- Paid company holidays.
- Employee discount across our family of brands.
- Potential eligibility for annual merit-based compensation increases, where applicable.
Exact benefit terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements are governed by official plan documents and applicable law. The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, or terminate benefit plans and programs at any time.
See all 779+ OPT Tax Associate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Tax Associate Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Tax Associate
Target firms with established H-1B track records
The Big Four and large regional accounting firms file H-1B petitions at high volume every year. Joining one of these firms on OPT puts you in a structured pipeline where sponsorship is a known, expected outcome for performing associates.
Confirm your degree qualifies for the STEM OPT extension
Accounting and taxation degrees are often STEM-designated under CIP code 52.0301. Verify your specific degree with your DSO early. A confirmed STEM extension gives you 36 total months of OPT, which covers two full H-1B lottery cycles.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
Many Tax Associate hiring cycles run in fall for January or summer starts. Apply during campus recruiting season so your OPT timeline aligns with the role's start date and avoids gaps that complicate your authorization status.
Ask directly about sponsorship during the offer stage
Raise H-1B sponsorship before signing an offer, not after starting. Ask whether the firm has sponsored associates in your office previously. A vague answer is a real signal. Firms that sponsor regularly will confirm it without hesitation.
Pursue your CPA license while on OPT
Passing CPA exams during your OPT period signals long-term commitment and raises your sponsorship priority within the firm. Licensed CPAs are harder to replace, which strengthens the employer's business case for filing an H-1B petition on your behalf.
Specialize in a high-demand tax area to increase your leverage
International tax, transfer pricing, and R&D tax credits face persistent talent shortages. Developing expertise in one of these areas during your OPT makes you a more compelling sponsorship candidate and opens doors at firms that cannot easily hire domestically.
Tax Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Tax Associate jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Many do, but it depends on your specific degree, not the job title. Accounting degrees under CIP code 52.0301 are frequently STEM-designated, making you eligible for the 24-month extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before accepting a role, since extension eligibility can significantly affect how long you can work before needing H-1B sponsorship.
Do accounting and public accounting firms typically sponsor H-1B visas for Tax Associates?
The Big Four firms, including Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG, sponsor H-1B visas for Tax Associates on a consistent basis and have dedicated immigration support teams. Large regional firms also sponsor regularly, though the process is less standardized. Smaller boutique firms may sponsor selectively based on business need. Migrate Mate lists Tax Associate roles filtered by sponsorship history so you can identify the right employers upfront.
Can I work in a Tax Associate role if my OPT EAD is still processing?
No. You cannot begin working until your EAD card is physically in hand and the start date printed on it has passed. Do not accept a start date from an employer that is earlier than your EAD start date. Build buffer time into your job search so you are not caught between an offer and a pending card.
Does a Tax Associate role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Tax Associate positions typically qualify as specialty occupations because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in accounting, finance, or a related field as a standard entry requirement. The role involves the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge, which meets USCIS criteria. Most Big Four and regional firm offers will meet this threshold without difficulty.
What should I do if my OPT expires before the H-1B lottery results are announced?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you have an approved cap-gap extension, you can continue working lawfully through September 30 of that year. The cap-gap automatically bridges the period between OPT expiration and the H-1B start date of October 1. Your DSO must issue a new I-20 reflecting the cap-gap extension to maintain your authorized status.