Power confident decisions at Cars.com

Cars.com is the marketplace millions of people trust to buy and sell cars with confidence.

More than 25 years ago, we started as a simple idea, connect buyers and sellers, and today we do a lot more: trusted reviews, transparent pricing, and real-time, proprietary data that cut through the noise of one of life's biggest purchases. Our scaled marketplace, paired with interconnected technology, data, and media, gives dealers and OEMs everything they need to sell more cars.

At Cars.com, we debate openly, decide fast, and deliver what we say we will. We solve real problems for car shoppers and dealers, simplify for speed, and focus on what matters most. We win together or not at all. Here, your work counts, your ideas can help shape what’s next, and you’ll build alongside people who have your back.

We’re in the middle of a real transformation, modernizing the company and investing in AI and data to move faster. You're joining the No. 1 brand people think of first when shopping for a car, at the exact moment it's being rebuilt for what's next. You help decide what that becomes. That kind of influence is rare, and it's exactly why this is a place worth building your career.

Don't just take our word for it, we're proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S.

Ready to help build the most trusted place to buy and sell a car? Join us.

*The ideal candidate will live in the Chicagoland area.

About the Role:

As a Senior Tax Manager, you will be responsible for contributing to the development and execution of our tax strategy. You will help lead and oversee all aspects of tax operations, special projects and initiatives. This includes managing ASC 740 provisions, estimation of cash taxes, federal, state, and foreign income, franchise, sales and use tax compliance and audits, and tax planning matters, as well as providing informal mentorship and support to the members of our tax team. You will be expected to proactively identify needs, risks, and opportunities to set priorities and optimize resources, mitigate exposures, solve complex tax issues, and drive automation and process improvement. You will operate independently and manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines.

The Senior Tax Manager is a highly visible position with direct contact with Cars.com senior management. In this role, you will partner and collaborate with finance and other business leaders across our organization, and will have an opportunity to grow and progress within the tax department. This role reports to VP, Tax.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and oversee preparation of quarterly and annual ASC 740 provision calculations using OneSource Tax Provision, as well as, related SEC disclosures and internal reporting packages
• Manage U.S. and Canadian tax compliance process, including review and approval of all federal, state, franchise, sales and use, foreign tax returns and preparation of related workpapers, schedules and disclosures. Ensure workpapers and returns are accurate, appropriately documented and organized, timely filed and audit ready
• Review calculations of estimated payments and extensions to ensure they are complete, proper, and timely filed
• Oversee maintenance of U.S. and Canadian tax related balance sheet accounts, including payable and all deferred tax asset and liability accounts
• Manage multiple workstreams by identifying needs and priorities, defining deliverables, establishing and managing timelines and related workplans
• Work proactively with finance and other business teams to identify and resolve tax issues, including tax technical and ASC 740 guidance, and due diligence support for potential M&A transactions
• Partner with finance and other business teams to ensure accurate and timely submission of all tax-related information to and from our tax team
• Identify and assess process enhancement and standardization opportunities, plan, develop budgets and business cases for projects, and lead implementation
• Assess, develop, document, and ensure consistent adherence of tax operations, special projects, and initiatives to tax department and broader organization policies and guidelines
• Contribute to development and implementation of tax strategy
• Ensure SOX compliance and related internal and external audit requests are addressed appropriately and timely
• Manage tax notices, identify and escalate tax exposures, lead negotiations and resolve tax audits
• Monitor impact of changes in tax laws, regulations, and accounting standards and assess impact on tax and business operations, as well as, the organization’s tax reporting
• Resolve complex tax technical issues arising upon changes and growth in the business, identify tax related risks and planning opportunities, and present practical recommendations
• Steer negotiations with external advisors, vendors, and customers
• Establish strong relationships, demonstrate organizational and interpersonal skills to maintain and further propel our collaborative and open communication environment. Represent and lead on behalf of tax department in cross-functional projects and initiatives
• Provide informal mentorship and technical guidance to, and contribute to further development of our tax team members

This is what you will need to succeed in your role:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Economics required. CPA, IRS EA, or Master's degree in Taxation required
• 8+ years of experience with a Big 4 firm or a medium-to-large corporate tax department of a publicly traded company, in progressive responsibility roles, primarily dedicated to preparing and/or reviewing complex ASC 740 provisions
• Extensive knowledge of U.S. GAAP, solid technical proficiency and strong practical application of ASC 740
• Strong U.S. income, franchise, and sales and use taxes compliance experience
• Experience of solving a wide range of tax and tax accounting technical matters of high complexity, including in context of M&A transactions
• Experience with U.S. international, Canadian cross-border, and foreign taxation is preferred
• Experience in dealing with tax authorities and resolving tax audits effectively
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute multiple projects, coordinate with finance and other teams across the organization and external advisors, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Passion to challenge the status quo, drive change and efficiencies respectfully, and act as a catalyst to innovation within organization
• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement tax systems, tools, and process improvements and standardization
• Proficiency in OneSource Tax Provision is preferred
• Ability to work independently with attention to detail and pride in their deliverable
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with ability to articulate thoughts clearly and interact with all stakeholders, both internal and external effectively
• Experience in managing relationships with external auditors and advisors
• Embody the highest standards of integrity, ethics, sense of ownership and accountability

Compensation

 

We share compensation up front so you have the information you need to make a confident decision. This range reflects target base compensation. Where you land depends on skills and experience. If this range works for you, we encourage you to apply.

Salary Range: $135,300.00-169,150.00

Benefits

Confidence, built in. The same confidence we build for car buyers and sellers, we build into how we treat our own:

• Medical, dental & vision from day one — no waiting period
• 401(k) with company match, immediate vesting
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan — buy Cars.com stock at a discount
• Unlimited Flex Time Off, 11 paid holidays, 1 volunteer day
• Paid parental and caregiver leave
• $350 one-time home office stipend + $70/month for virtual-first work
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• ...and more — see our full Benefits, Perks & Culture here

Legal

For US-based positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. We're unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

Cars.com is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Applicants: click here to review our Privacy Policy for Applicants. 

Current employees: click here to review our California Privacy Policy for Employees.