Sales Tax Research Analyst
Purple Wave Auction, Manhattan, KS, United States
Join our growing $50M+ online auction services company
with nearly 400 employees. As a subsidiary of a publicly traded company, we facilitate thousands of transactions daily across multiple states, requiring accurate sales tax determination for diverse product categories and complex buyer/seller scenarios.
Purple Wave
is seeking an experienced Sales Tax Research Analyst to serve as a subject matter expert for multi‑state sales tax compliance. This research‑focused role requires deep investigative skills to interpret tax statutes, track legislative changes, and build comprehensive documentation of sales tax rules across jurisdictions. The ideal candidate thrives on complex research challenges, collaborates effectively across departments, and can translate technical tax regulations into actionable guidance for diverse audiences.
Responsibilities
Tax Research & Legislative Analysis:
Conduct in‑depth research of sales tax statutes, regulations, administrative rulings, and case law across multiple states.
Monitor legislative changes, proposed bills, and regulatory updates affecting sales tax applicability and rates.
Research and interpret state‑specific guidance on exemption eligibility, product taxability, and sourcing rules for specialized categories (farm equipment, industrial equipment, construction machinery and vehicles).
Investigate nexus implications, boundary changes, and jurisdictional modifications impacting tax obligations.
Cross‑reference multiple authoritative sources to verify accuracy and resolve conflicting guidance.
Documentation & Knowledge Management:
Create detailed research memoranda documenting findings, analysis, and supporting citations.
Develop comprehensive reference guides and maintain a searchable knowledge base of state‑specific tax rules.
Build a tax research library organized by state, product type, and tax topic with proper audit trails.
Prepare research summaries of significant tax law changes and their operational impact.
Translate complex tax research into clear, accessible guidance for non‑tax professionals.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Communication:
Partner with the Accounting team to share research findings and align on tax positions.
Provide tax research support and guidance to Customer Service, Operations, and Sales teams.
Conduct training sessions on tax updates and exemption requirements for internal stakeholders.
Serve as liaison between departments on tax‑related questions and process improvements.
Communicate proactively with leadership on emerging tax issues and compliance risks.
Tax Calculation, Compliance & Rate Management:
Research and map sales tax jurisdictions, rates, and special districts for new business locations and expansion.
Provide backup support for sales tax calculations and tax determination for routine and complex transactions.
Provide occasional support for customer exemption certificate review and validation.
Assist with sales tax compliance activities including return review, remittance verification, and filing support as needed.
Research and resolve escalated tax questions involving ambiguous statutes or unique transaction scenarios.
Provide research‑backed guidance to customer service and accounting teams on complex tax matters.
Support audit preparation with historical research and documentation of tax positions.
Process Improvement:
Identify gaps in tax research documentation and recommend improvements.
Collaborate with IT and Product teams on tax automation projects and software evaluation.
Share best practices with team members and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
Undertake additional assigned duties as requested.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Tax, Business Administration, or related field.
6+ years of progressive experience in sales tax research, compliance analysis, or related tax research role.
Demonstrated expertise researching and interpreting tax statutes, regulations, and administrative guidance.
Strong understanding of US multi‑state sales tax framework including exemptions, nexus, sourcing rules, and use tax.
Proven ability to conduct complex legal/regulatory research using government databases and official sources.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and database systems.
Exceptional analytical and written communication skills with ability to document research clearly.
Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills with ability to work effectively across departments.
Strong ability to explain complex tax concepts to non‑tax audiences.
Self‑directed with strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
Team player who shares knowledge and contributes to collaborative problem‑solving.
Spanish speaking bi‑lingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Candidates may be requested to complete position specific skills assessments.
Applicants must be either a U.S. Citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.
Requires the ability to satisfactorily complete a background check.
Preferred Qualifications
Multi‑state sales tax research experience with e‑commerce or marketplace businesses.
Experience with sales tax software (Avalara, Vertex, etc.).
Knowledge of auction business models and equipment categories (construction, agriculture, fleet, industrial).
Experience with Sage Intacct or similar cloud accounting systems.
Experience training or presenting to diverse audiences.
Working Settings
Full‑time salaried exempt, not eligible for overtime.
Office hours are 8 am–5 pm, Monday through Friday, Central Time zone; additional hours may be required depending on priorities.
Based in the Purple Wave Satellite Office in Manhattan, KS (2627 KFB Plz #201e, Manhattan, KS 66503).
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Must be able to access various departments of a given location.
Compensation
Salary varies based on experience and qualifications, typically ranging from $80,000 to $110,000 per year.
Monthly bonus program – determined by the company’s monthly revenue result and paid on a “percent to plan” payout formula.
Health, dental, and vision benefits start the first of the month after start date.
401(k) plan with employer match up to 4% starting the first day of employment.
Company‑paid life insurance benefit of $25,000 with options to add more through employee contribution.
Fully paid short‑term disability provided by the company.
Personal time off (PTO) annually: 120 hours prorated based on the number of days between the 60th day of employment and the end of the calendar year.
Eligible to participate in the Company Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) after 90 days of employment, with enrollment opportunities each May and November.
About Purple Wave Purple Wave Auction is a leader in the equipment auction industry focusing on construction, ag, fleet, and government equipment. We are a data‑driven, quickly changing and evolving, growing organization. Our focus is on marketing the assets we sell for our customers to find the highest quality bidders for the best recoveries for our sellers. We strive to make this transaction Straight, Simple, and Sold. We live daily by our core values of trust, team, care, and passion to be the place people want to work and our customers want to return to for their equipment buying and selling needs for their businesses.
Purple Wave is the largest no‑reserve Internet auction company in the Midwest.
We have over 300 employees, nearly doubling in size in the last three years.
We have a robust tech team and continue to invest in progressive techniques to enhance our services.
While working at Purple Wave, you will have the opportunity to help our mission of being the easiest, most straightforward place to buy and sell used equipment.
Purple Wave empowers its employees to solve problems effectively in a family‑run business culture.
We provide opportunities for continued education as you grow your career with tuition reimbursement. We have a generous benefits package in one of the fastest‑growing companies in the area.
Purple Wave is looking for an enthusiastic person to join our growing team to support our customers as we bring our values of Trust, Team, Care and Passion to them.
Core Values
TRUST: We are trustworthy…Our business depends upon our integrity and our customer’s ability to trust Purple Wave and its people: to enforce a fair, transparent unreserved auction marketplace; to safeguard their bidding information; to give a full effort on behalf of their asset(s); We are transparent, accountable and fair.
TEAM: WE ARE A TEAM…We respect, support, appreciate and inspire each other; We communicate and follow‑through; We need each other. We do our best work when we work together.
CARE: WE CARE…We care for our customers. We look out for their best interests. We work hard for them. We “go the extra mile”.
PASSION: WE ARE PASSIONATE…We are positive, we are enthusiastic, we take pride in our work, we own our responsibilities and we deliver; When we see problems, we fix them. We learn from our mistakes. We improve ourselves and Purple Wave every day; We believe Purple Wave can be the best marketplace for used equipment and we are committed to make it happen.
Equal Opportunity Employer Equal Opportunity is a Purple Wave, Inc. policy. It is our practice to select the best‑qualified candidate for each position in the organization. No employee of the Company will discriminate against an applicant for employment or a fellow employee because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, or other physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.
Notice of Background Check As a condition of your employment, you will be required to sign the Company’s Authorization for Background Check, and to provide the Company with documents establishing your identity and right to work in the United States.
Additional Information
Seniority Level: Associate
#J-18808-Ljbffr
with nearly 400 employees. As a subsidiary of a publicly traded company, we facilitate thousands of transactions daily across multiple states, requiring accurate sales tax determination for diverse product categories and complex buyer/seller scenarios.
Purple Wave
is seeking an experienced Sales Tax Research Analyst to serve as a subject matter expert for multi‑state sales tax compliance. This research‑focused role requires deep investigative skills to interpret tax statutes, track legislative changes, and build comprehensive documentation of sales tax rules across jurisdictions. The ideal candidate thrives on complex research challenges, collaborates effectively across departments, and can translate technical tax regulations into actionable guidance for diverse audiences.
Responsibilities
Tax Research & Legislative Analysis:
Conduct in‑depth research of sales tax statutes, regulations, administrative rulings, and case law across multiple states.
Monitor legislative changes, proposed bills, and regulatory updates affecting sales tax applicability and rates.
Research and interpret state‑specific guidance on exemption eligibility, product taxability, and sourcing rules for specialized categories (farm equipment, industrial equipment, construction machinery and vehicles).
Investigate nexus implications, boundary changes, and jurisdictional modifications impacting tax obligations.
Cross‑reference multiple authoritative sources to verify accuracy and resolve conflicting guidance.
Documentation & Knowledge Management:
Create detailed research memoranda documenting findings, analysis, and supporting citations.
Develop comprehensive reference guides and maintain a searchable knowledge base of state‑specific tax rules.
Build a tax research library organized by state, product type, and tax topic with proper audit trails.
Prepare research summaries of significant tax law changes and their operational impact.
Translate complex tax research into clear, accessible guidance for non‑tax professionals.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Communication:
Partner with the Accounting team to share research findings and align on tax positions.
Provide tax research support and guidance to Customer Service, Operations, and Sales teams.
Conduct training sessions on tax updates and exemption requirements for internal stakeholders.
Serve as liaison between departments on tax‑related questions and process improvements.
Communicate proactively with leadership on emerging tax issues and compliance risks.
Tax Calculation, Compliance & Rate Management:
Research and map sales tax jurisdictions, rates, and special districts for new business locations and expansion.
Provide backup support for sales tax calculations and tax determination for routine and complex transactions.
Provide occasional support for customer exemption certificate review and validation.
Assist with sales tax compliance activities including return review, remittance verification, and filing support as needed.
Research and resolve escalated tax questions involving ambiguous statutes or unique transaction scenarios.
Provide research‑backed guidance to customer service and accounting teams on complex tax matters.
Support audit preparation with historical research and documentation of tax positions.
Process Improvement:
Identify gaps in tax research documentation and recommend improvements.
Collaborate with IT and Product teams on tax automation projects and software evaluation.
Share best practices with team members and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
Undertake additional assigned duties as requested.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Tax, Business Administration, or related field.
6+ years of progressive experience in sales tax research, compliance analysis, or related tax research role.
Demonstrated expertise researching and interpreting tax statutes, regulations, and administrative guidance.
Strong understanding of US multi‑state sales tax framework including exemptions, nexus, sourcing rules, and use tax.
Proven ability to conduct complex legal/regulatory research using government databases and official sources.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and database systems.
Exceptional analytical and written communication skills with ability to document research clearly.
Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills with ability to work effectively across departments.
Strong ability to explain complex tax concepts to non‑tax audiences.
Self‑directed with strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
Team player who shares knowledge and contributes to collaborative problem‑solving.
Spanish speaking bi‑lingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Candidates may be requested to complete position specific skills assessments.
Applicants must be either a U.S. Citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.
Requires the ability to satisfactorily complete a background check.
Preferred Qualifications
Multi‑state sales tax research experience with e‑commerce or marketplace businesses.
Experience with sales tax software (Avalara, Vertex, etc.).
Knowledge of auction business models and equipment categories (construction, agriculture, fleet, industrial).
Experience with Sage Intacct or similar cloud accounting systems.
Experience training or presenting to diverse audiences.
Working Settings
Full‑time salaried exempt, not eligible for overtime.
Office hours are 8 am–5 pm, Monday through Friday, Central Time zone; additional hours may be required depending on priorities.
Based in the Purple Wave Satellite Office in Manhattan, KS (2627 KFB Plz #201e, Manhattan, KS 66503).
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Must be able to access various departments of a given location.
Compensation
Salary varies based on experience and qualifications, typically ranging from $80,000 to $110,000 per year.
Monthly bonus program – determined by the company’s monthly revenue result and paid on a “percent to plan” payout formula.
Health, dental, and vision benefits start the first of the month after start date.
401(k) plan with employer match up to 4% starting the first day of employment.
Company‑paid life insurance benefit of $25,000 with options to add more through employee contribution.
Fully paid short‑term disability provided by the company.
Personal time off (PTO) annually: 120 hours prorated based on the number of days between the 60th day of employment and the end of the calendar year.
Eligible to participate in the Company Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) after 90 days of employment, with enrollment opportunities each May and November.
About Purple Wave Purple Wave Auction is a leader in the equipment auction industry focusing on construction, ag, fleet, and government equipment. We are a data‑driven, quickly changing and evolving, growing organization. Our focus is on marketing the assets we sell for our customers to find the highest quality bidders for the best recoveries for our sellers. We strive to make this transaction Straight, Simple, and Sold. We live daily by our core values of trust, team, care, and passion to be the place people want to work and our customers want to return to for their equipment buying and selling needs for their businesses.
Purple Wave is the largest no‑reserve Internet auction company in the Midwest.
We have over 300 employees, nearly doubling in size in the last three years.
We have a robust tech team and continue to invest in progressive techniques to enhance our services.
While working at Purple Wave, you will have the opportunity to help our mission of being the easiest, most straightforward place to buy and sell used equipment.
Purple Wave empowers its employees to solve problems effectively in a family‑run business culture.
We provide opportunities for continued education as you grow your career with tuition reimbursement. We have a generous benefits package in one of the fastest‑growing companies in the area.
Purple Wave is looking for an enthusiastic person to join our growing team to support our customers as we bring our values of Trust, Team, Care and Passion to them.
Core Values
TRUST: We are trustworthy…Our business depends upon our integrity and our customer’s ability to trust Purple Wave and its people: to enforce a fair, transparent unreserved auction marketplace; to safeguard their bidding information; to give a full effort on behalf of their asset(s); We are transparent, accountable and fair.
TEAM: WE ARE A TEAM…We respect, support, appreciate and inspire each other; We communicate and follow‑through; We need each other. We do our best work when we work together.
CARE: WE CARE…We care for our customers. We look out for their best interests. We work hard for them. We “go the extra mile”.
PASSION: WE ARE PASSIONATE…We are positive, we are enthusiastic, we take pride in our work, we own our responsibilities and we deliver; When we see problems, we fix them. We learn from our mistakes. We improve ourselves and Purple Wave every day; We believe Purple Wave can be the best marketplace for used equipment and we are committed to make it happen.
Equal Opportunity Employer Equal Opportunity is a Purple Wave, Inc. policy. It is our practice to select the best‑qualified candidate for each position in the organization. No employee of the Company will discriminate against an applicant for employment or a fellow employee because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, or other physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.
Notice of Background Check As a condition of your employment, you will be required to sign the Company’s Authorization for Background Check, and to provide the Company with documents establishing your identity and right to work in the United States.
Additional Information
Seniority Level: Associate
#J-18808-Ljbffr