Tax & SSO Manager

The Tax & SSO Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing the company's tax and social security operations, ensuring full compliance with applicable laws and regulations while minimizing financial and regulatory risks. This role manages all tax and social security obligations, leads audit and dispute resolution processes, provides strategic guidance on tax and social security matters, and partners with cross-functional teams to strengthen internal controls and optimize compliance-related processes.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Management

• Oversee the preparation and timely submission of corporate income tax returns, VAT returns, payroll tax filings, seasonal tax reports, and all other statutory tax obligations.
• Review and validate tax calculations related to revenues, expenses, exemptions, penalties, and tax provisions.
• Monitor and manage the company's tax cases through the Iranian National Tax Administration (INTA) systems.
• Review tax assessment notices, tax claims, final tax assessments, and official correspondence from tax authorities.
• Prepare supporting documentation and defense files for tax audits, dispute resolution boards, and other regulatory authorities.
• Ensure compliance with the Direct Tax Act, VAT Law, Point-of-Sale (POS) and Taxpayer System (Moadian) regulations.
• Assess the tax implications of contracts, payments, settlements, and business decisions.
• Identify opportunities to reduce tax risks and maximize the appropriate use of available tax incentives and exemptions.

Social Security (SSO) Management

• Oversee the preparation and timely submission of employee social security declarations and ensure data accuracy.
• Review contract-related social security premiums, SSO clearance certificates (Mofasa Hesab), and compliance with Article 38 of the Social Security Law.
• Manage the company's social security cases with the Social Security Organization (SSO).
• Coordinate responses to SSO audits and prepare supporting documentation and defense files.
• Manage the process of obtaining SSO clearance certificates for contracts and projects.
• Ensure proper classification of insurance-liable and non-liable expenses.
• Partner with Human Resources on social security-related employee benefits, severance, annual bonuses, termination compensation, and other personnel payments.

Audit & Dispute Resolution

• Lead tax and social security audit processes and coordinate all related activities.
• Prepare legal defenses, analytical reports, and supporting documentation for regulatory authorities.
• Represent the company in tax and social security hearings and dispute resolution committees.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with tax authorities, SSO representatives, auditors, and external advisors.
• Monitor tax and social security cases through final resolution and settlement.

Process Improvement & Compliance

• Design and enhance internal processes related to taxation, VAT, the Moadian System, social security, and statutory reporting.
• Review accounting records to ensure tax and social security compliance.
• Evaluate contracts for tax, social security, and regulatory implications.
• Develop internal control checklists to minimize penalties and ensure compliance with statutory deadlines.
• Collaborate closely with Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Legal, Human Resources, Procurement, and Operations to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Monitor changes in tax and social security laws and communicate their impact to relevant stakeholders.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare periodic reports on tax and social security liabilities, provisions, penalties, and risk exposure.
• Analyze the tax and social security impact of business decisions, contracts, and projects.
• Provide recommendations to Finance Leadership to optimize costs and reduce compliance risks.
• Report the status of ongoing tax and social security cases to senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management, Economics, or a related field.
• 3 years of relevant experience in taxation, social security, accounting, or auditing.
• Hands-on experience managing tax and social security audits, regulatory reviews, and dispute resolution processes.
• Experience in large organizations, holding companies, publicly listed companies, or high-volume businesses is highly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of the Iranian Direct Tax Act, VAT Law, Point-of-Sale (POS) and Taxpayer System (Moadian) regulations.
• In-depth understanding of Social Security regulations, particularly contract insurance premiums and Article 38 requirements.
• Solid understanding of accounting standards and financial reporting principles.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and risk management capabilities.
• Proven experience preparing legal defenses and supporting documentation for tax and SSO audits.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial/accounting software.
• Experience working with tax, VAT, payroll tax, Moadian, and Social Security systems.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timely and accurate submission of all statutory tax and social security filings.
• Reduction in tax and social security penalties and compliance risks.
• Successful resolution of tax and social security audits and disputes.
• Improved effectiveness of internal controls and compliance processes.
• Accuracy of tax provisions, liabilities, and social security calculations.
• Quality and timeliness of reporting to Finance Leadership and Senior Management.