Liberty Tax Service Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$49,970 - $71,400
Min Cash Required
$3,000
Total US Locations
1,764
Business Summary
Liberty Tax Service operates income tax preparation offices for low to middle income customers. The company utilizes special marketing techniques and operating procedures for tax return preparation and also facilitates refund-based tax settlement financial products, such as Easy Advances and Refund Transfers. Liberty Tax Service also offers online tax preparation services.
Corporate History
JTH Tax LLC d/b/a Liberty Tax Service was originally incorporated in Delaware on October 23, 1996, and later converted to a Delaware limited liability company on July 9, 2019. The company operates as 'Liberty Tax Service' and has been involved in the income tax preparation business, offering franchises since 1997. In 2022, Liberty Tax Service introduced a Franchised Virtual Tax Office (VTO) Program, allowing existing franchisees to expand their non-exclusive territory for tax return preparation. By December 31, 2024, 11 franchisees were participating in this program. In 2024, the company also launched the Marketing Rights Agreement (MRA) Program, offering existing franchisees exclusive marketing rights in territories adjacent to their physical offices. As of December 31, 2024, 116 franchisees had signed such agreements for 189 territories. On January 2, 2024, following insolvency proceedings of its former indirect parent, NextPoint Financial Inc., Liberty Tax Service's assets were sold to new lenders, now part of its current indirect parent, BP LTCT LLC. This transaction restructured the company's ownership and debt. Liberty Tax Service has maintained a significant presence in the tax preparation market, with 1,764 offices in the United States as of December 31, 2024, most of which are franchised. The company emphasizes its retail income tax return preparation business, primarily serving low to middle-income clients, and notes its seasonal nature from January to April each year.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$49,970 - $71,400
Franchise Fee (High)
$40,000
Minimum Cash Required
$3,000
Royalty %
14%
Marketing %
5%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$7,500
Equipment Costs (High)
$15,000
Working Capital
$3,750
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
Yes
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Liberty Tax Service underwent a significant financial restructuring on January 2, 2024, through which its assets were acquired by its current parent, LTCT Holdings, LLC. This restructuring, valued at $203.3 million, aimed to alleviate a burden of cash distributions to its former parent, which had previously impacted Liberty Tax Service's liquidity. The company had been in default of certain loan covenants prior to the restructuring but received waivers and subsequently amended these covenants in 2024. While Liberty Tax Service reported a net loss of $3.34 million in 2024, this is a significant improvement from the $98.46 million net loss in 2023, largely due to disclaimed obligations and contracts during the restructuring. The company's cash and cash equivalents increased from $5.88 million at the end of 2023 to $10.82 million at the end of 2024. The independent auditor issued an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements, indicating fair presentation in all material respects.
Financing Details
Liberty Tax Service may, at its sole discretion, offer direct financing to its franchisees. This financing can be used to cover a portion of the initial franchise fee, provide operating capital, or fund the initial franchise fee of additional territory purchases by existing franchisees. The typical interest rate for these loans is 12% per annum, along with a 1% origination fee. Repayment is generally structured over four to five years through annual payments. Specific revenue goals might be required as part of the financing terms. Liberty Tax Service also notes that special, limited-time incentive programs may offer different interest rates or repayment schedules for certain groups, such as those purchasing existing company stores, expanding into new territories, or for veterans and first responders. The company is not obligated to provide financing, and a setup fee may apply. A security interest in the franchise assets is required, and individual guarantors must personally guarantee the debt and may be required to sign a confession of judgment for operational financing. Franchisees waive certain legal rights if they accept financing. All revenue generated by the franchised business may initially be paid directly to Liberty Tax Service, which then deducts owed amounts before remitting the balance to the franchisee. Liberty Tax Service may use these financing instruments as collateral and assign them to third parties, which could impact a franchisee's defenses against the lender. While Liberty Tax Service itself does not arrange third-party leasing, it can refer qualified franchisees to a company that offers leasing for furniture, fixtures, signs, equipment, and potentially working capital and franchise fees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
1,764
Franchised Units
1,686
Corporate Units
78
Avg Square Footage
1,100
Franchising Since
1997
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
Yes
Litigation Count
51
Litigation Summary
Liberty Tax Service has an extensive litigation history with 51 actions disclosed. Current lawsuits against Liberty Tax Service include one from 2008 by the New York Division of Human Rights regarding marketing Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs), which is noted as not active. There are numerous ongoing lawsuits filed by Liberty Tax Service against former franchisees for various reasons such as breach of non-compete clauses, Lanham Act violations, tortious interference, and misappropriation of trade secrets. These cases have been filed between 2020 and 2024, with many still pending court decisions or actively being pursued, such as those against Cline (ongoing in 2025), Conner (ongoing in 2024), Cortorreal (ongoing in 2025), Curiel (ongoing in 2023), Cybulski (judgment in 2024, ongoing in 2025), Daniels (reopened in 2022), Dillard (ongoing in 2022), Gilbert (ongoing in 2022), Jasani (filed and settled in 2024), Kukla (appeal denied in 2024, ongoing in 2025), Manzo (judgment in 2024, ongoing in 2025), Mathews (ongoing in 2024/2025), Merit (filed in 2024, ongoing in 2025), Morell (filed in 2024, ongoing in 2025), Page (filed in 2024, ongoing), Pirapakaran (filed in 2024, settled in 2025), Reyes (resolved in 2024), Roldan (filed in 2023, ongoing), and Samb (filed in 2024, pending). Liberty Tax Service also pursued lawsuits to collect franchisee debts, with recent cases filed in 2023 against Robinson (default judgment in 2024), McCallister (judgment in 2023), and Perez (settled in 2024). Past litigation includes several class-action lawsuits and regulatory actions. For example, a class-action lawsuit (Labrado v. JTH Tax, Inc.) regarding alleged California Labor Code violations was disclaimed by the company through bankruptcy proceedings and dismissed in December 2024. Another class-action, In Re: Liberty Refund Anticipation Loan Litigation, settled in 2015 for $5.3 million. Regulatory actions include a settlement with the Department of Justice in 2019 regarding compliance over tax returns, which involved a $3 million payment to the IRS. Additionally, a complaint by the DC Attorney General in 2022 concerning deceptive advertising for a 'Cash-In-A-Flash' promotion was settled in January 2024 for $550,000 for customers and $200,000 for the AG, leading to the nationwide cessation of the promotion. A significant case from 2007 by the People of the State of California against JTH Tax, Inc. involved misleading RAL advertising and was upheld on appeal in 2013, which was settled via an agreed upon stipulation for entry of amended to the 2009 Injunction dated May 20, 2024. Virginia State Corporation Commission matters in 2008 regarding disclosure violations resulted in penalties and settlement. The overall legal history suggests a pattern of disputes related to franchisee agreements, advertising practices, and regulatory compliance, with many cases being settled or resolved through litigation.
Bankruptcy History
Liberty Tax Service's former parent company, Canadian-based NextPoint Financial Inc., initiated bankruptcy proceedings under Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) on July 25, 2023, and subsequently filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the U.S. on July 26, 2023. Liberty Tax Service was included in these proceedings as part of the restructuring plan, although Liberty Tax Service itself did not declare bankruptcy. Through these proceedings, the former parent's plan for emergence from insolvency was approved, which included the sale of Liberty Tax Service's assets to its current parent, LTCT Holdings, LLC. This sale closed on January 2, 2024, reducing the former parent's debt and eliminating most pending litigations against Liberty Tax Service, such as class-action lawsuits and the First Bank lawsuit. Certain current management team members were principal officers of Liberty Tax Service and/or its former parent during these bankruptcy filings.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
5 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Liberty Tax Service franchisees must provide written notice of their intent to renew at least 180 days before the agreement expires. They must be in full compliance with their current Franchise Agreement and the Operations Manual. Franchisees are also required to remodel, refurbish, and modernize their franchised business, including leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures, equipment, signage, trade dress, and computer systems, to meet current standards. Additionally, they must sign Liberty Tax Service's then-current standard franchise agreement 90 days before the expiration of the original agreement, which may have materially different terms, and execute a general release of all claims against Liberty Tax Service. No renewal fee will be charged, and royalty and advertising fees will not be increased upon renewal, nor will the territory boundaries change.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Liberty Tax Service provides extensive assistance to its franchisees, both before and after opening. Before opening, franchisees receive a minimum of 3 days of in-classroom Initial Owners Training (IOT) and 12-15 hours of online training, along with a one-day Hands On Training (HOT) at an existing location. They are loaned an Operations Manual and receive guidance and approval for site selection, requiring them to submit three potential sites with forms and pictures for approval within 14 days. Liberty Tax Service also provides tax return preparation software and access to the Liberty Resource Center, an intranet site offering a comprehensive range of resources including the Operations Manual, employment templates, technical specifications, and a list of approved suppliers. After opening, ongoing support includes reasonable telephone and internet-based tax and technical support for questions related to federal and state individual income tax return preparation, electronic filing, and the use of proprietary software. Liberty Tax Service also facilitates participation in Financial Products programs, such as refund-based loans. The company manages a national advertising fund, collected as 5% of Gross Receipts, which is used for national, regional, and local marketing and advertising campaigns, and provides pre-approved advertising templates. Additionally, Liberty Tax Service offers operational support via the Liberty Resource Center and receives telephone and email assistance for operational issues. Advanced training sessions for experienced franchisees are offered periodically, and attendance may be required in cases of abusive tax return practices.
Initial Training Hours
47
Training Location
Virginia Beach or Dallas Fort Worth, and select existing franchisee locations, or online
Ongoing Support
Liberty Tax Service provides its franchisees with various forms of ongoing support after their offices open. This includes reasonable telephone and internet-based tax and technical support for questions related to federal and state individual income tax return preparation, electronic filing, and the use of proprietary software. Franchisees contribute 5% of their gross receipts to an advertising fund, which Liberty Tax Service uses for national, regional, and local marketing and advertising campaigns, and the company provides pre-approved advertising templates. Operational support is offered through the Liberty Resource Center, an online intranet site containing various resources, along with telephone and email assistance for operational issues. Additionally, Liberty Tax Service offers one-to-four-day advanced training sessions for experienced franchisees, which may be held in-person or online, and may be required in certain circumstances like abusive tax return practices.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Liberty Tax Service seeks franchisees who are capable of directly supervising and controlling their tax preparation offices, or who can hire a full-time, on-premises general manager approved by the company after completing specific training. While direct industry experience is not explicitly stated as a blanket requirement for all franchisees, new franchisees without prior experience as actively enrolled agents, licensed CPAs, licensed lawyers, or professional tax preparers with at least three years of experience, must hire a qualified professional (such as an enrolled agent, CPA, or lawyer in good standing, or a tax preparer/trainer with at least four years of experience) as a full-time employee for tax compliance oversight during their first two years of operation. Franchisees must also secure all necessary permits, certificates, licenses, and consents to operate their business, and use their best efforts to promote the business.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
retail
Owner Participation
supervisory
Territory Type
Protected
Staff Count
2
Territory Size Requirements
Liberty Tax Service defines its franchise territories based on a geographic area that typically generates between 7,000 and 8,500 paid federal tax returns, using IRS data combined with population data. The company reserves the right to re-size a territory if a mapping error results in a territory population exceeding 35,000.
Staffing Notes
Liberty Tax Service franchisees are responsible for hiring, firing, compensating, and day-to-day supervision of their own employees, as Liberty Tax Service does not act as a joint employer. Franchisees must operate their business under their direct supervision or through a full-time, on-premises general manager who has successfully completed the company's initial training. Employees involved in tax preparation training must be qualified professionals such as lawyers, CPAs, enrolled agents, or individuals with at least five years of experience as a tax preparer or trainer. New franchisees lacking specific professional tax credentials (like being an enrolled agent, licensed CPA, or lawyer in good standing, or having at least three years of professional tax preparer experience) are required to hire a similarly qualified full-time employee for tax compliance oversight from December to May during their first two years of operation.