Tax Manager

About Chowbus

Chowbus is a leading Asian restaurant technology SaaS platform, with deep roots in the North American market for years. Currently, we stand as a pioneering enterprise in the North American Asian Restaurant SaaS sector. Driven by precise market positioning and efficient product services, our business has achieved doubled growth annually, covering over 30 core states and 100 key cities across the U.S., and partnering with more than 10,000 Asian restaurants. We build tech ecosystems that help restaurants grow, serve with heart, and uplift their communities, our vision is to create a world where culturally rooted food entrepreneurs thrive everywhere. 

Chowbus is hiring a Tax Manager to own a broad, hands-on tax portfolio spanning U.S. state and local tax (SALT), the quarterly and annual income tax provision (ASC 740), setup of new foreign jurisdictions as we expand, transfer pricing across our multi-country structure, and tax planning for our China operations. This is a builder role for someone who wants to establish process and infrastructure — not simply maintain what already exists — and who is comfortable operating across U.S. GAAP tax accounting, U.S. state tax compliance, and cross-border/China tax issues in a single seat.

This is a hybrid role based in Chicago, where our primary operations are headquartered, giving the tax professional close proximity to the business.

What You'll Focus On

State & Local Tax (SALT)

• Own nexus monitoring, state registrations, and sales/use tax compliance across all states where Chowbus operates
• Manage state income/franchise tax filings and respond to state notices and audits
• Apply correct tax treatment to promotional programs (e.g., equipment vouchers) and monitor use-tax exposure on internal-use equipment

Income Tax Provision

• Prepare the quarterly and annual income tax provision under ASC 740 across all Chowbus entities
• Own deferred tax schedules, valuation allowance analysis, and uncertain tax position documentation
• Serve as the primary tax contact for PwC during quarterly reviews and the annual audit

Foreign Jurisdiction Setup

• Lead tax-related workstreams for new entity formation as Chowbus enters new markets
• Assess permanent establishment risk and build local compliance calendars for new jurisdictions

Transfer Pricing

• Own the group's transfer pricing policy and intercompany agreements across the U.S., China, and Canada
• Coordinate annual transfer pricing documentation and benchmarking studies with external advisors

China Tax Planning

• Manage tax compliance and planning across Chowbus's five China entities
• Oversee China VAT and CIT compliance and cross-border withholding tax on intercompany payments
• Identify and pursue applicable China tax incentives

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Strong hands-on experience with U.S. SALT
• Strong experience in either income tax or international/cross-border tax
• Working knowledge of ASC 740 income tax accounting
• Comfortable operating with significant autonomy in a lean finance team, building process rather than inheriting it
• Strong communicator, able to work directly with external auditors, local country advisors, and cross-functional business partners

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or equivalent
• Direct exposure to transfer pricing concepts and documentation; OECD/BEPS familiarity
• Experience with China tax matters (CIT, VAT, withholding tax), or demonstrated ability to build that expertise quickly in partnership with local advisors
• Mandarin proficiency

What We Offer

• A fair compensation package
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• 100% employer-paid Short-Term Disability (STD)
• 100% employer-paid Life Insurance and option for additional employee-paid Life Insurance
• 100% employer-paid Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance and option for additional employee-paid AD&D Insurance
• Company holidays
• Birthday off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The salary for this role is $135,000-$160,000 depending on experience.