LIBERTY TAX SERVICE Franchise Complaints

5,730 thoughts on “LIBERTY TAX SERVICE Franchise Complaints”

• Re; Honestly

  If I am not mistaken, isn’t that the Hispanic marketing doing the ads ?

• Hispanic also did some but this was done for early season clients on multiple stations throughout the day over entire peak.

• F&D

  If you gross $125k at Liberty you should net $40-50k net profit. You are not open almost every day of the year like your deli example. In fact you work 8 hours a week from about Apr 20 – Jan 5. What a no brainer on which is the better business model for quality of life.

• $50K on $125K in revenues? Really?

• Netting $40-50k after grossing $125k is a lie I’m afraid. Average sees pay $2000 a month rent plus utilities of $400 a month. There’s $28.800 plus payroll plus bonuses of $30k plus marketing of $3000 including costumes, direct mail and coupon and coupon distribution. And royalties of $23000. So as I AM an accountant let me help you calculate $84800 and you have $41k left. Have u considered insurance of $500 a year plus the SE taxes and income taxes as well as the tax school costs and books. Plus you have forgotten the wind feathers us flags roadside signs business cards. Coffee donuts water bottles. Coloring books folders and client envelopes printer cartridges copy paper pens staplers staples stamps new liberty banners etc. ???? And I have only touched the tip of the iceberg. I am now an independent with two tax offices. I am 40% up on net fees and am so grateful that franchise fees are a thing of the past. I do more than 200 returns more than my nearest liberty. (yes I still have Zeenet access lol) and that are an 8th year office and mine is a third year. God help them. Losing 19% off the top is bad enough. Having to increase my fees because some unqualified AD says so is another problem. No one tells me what to do because I am the boss and I won’t have it any other way! Liberty definitely works for some because of great locations and good demographics but fails for most because of no tax experience and bad business skills. Things liberty tax does not consider when their focus is building the franchisee base and collecting franchise fees.

• Your rent is close but a little high. Your utilities are double (no one in the office during the summer). Your labor number is $10k too high. Your marketing numbers are ridiculous. You are obviously clueless when it comes to managing your expenses. I wish I had your supposed revenue numbers. I’d make a fortune.

• I was a top gun zee and top 100 zee and those are liberty numbers. Ask John. And if you had preparers do 75% of the returns then that is $94k of fees x 5% bonus = $4700 which leaves you $15300 in payroll or 1700 of payroll hours at $9 an hour you are open for 13 weeks for liberty required minimum 70 hours per week = 910 hours for one preparer per hour and 790 hours of wavers or less than one an hour! Wow how did u handle peak! You are kidding yourself. And who did your marketing when your one preparer was worked off his feet…. You!???? Lol

• First of all, let me say that I am a new poster and not a ‘plant’ for Liberty or any other tax service. My wife is a franchisee on the West Coast. She purchased a 2nd store. I was always against her investing in the Liberty franchise, because to me it just reeked of a too-good-to-be-true stench. That, plus I’m just a conservative who would never take such risks. However, she had tax preparation experience. Plus, she seems to be in JTH’s ‘inner circle’, so perhaps she gets a little bit better support than many other zees.

  She works extremely hard to make it a successful venture for herself, and who knows, she might actually come out okay in the end. But I have my doubts, because I still don’t trust JTH and the Liberty way. When my wife purchased her store, she had visions of quick profitability with lots of time off — work 4 months and take the rest of the year off…yay! It doesn’t work that way people. If you want to be successful, you have to work your TAIL off…12 months a year. Because there are tax schools, marketing ideas to consider, and staffing issues (this is a high turnover business so she is constantly having to find or replace preparers and managers — and reliable wavers are almost impossible to find).

  Because she works so much, it has taken a toll on her family, and we rarely see her anymore. It’s put a significant strain on our marriage to say the least. The point I’m trying to make is, in order to be successful with Liberty’s franchise vehicle, it takes an EXTRAORDINARY amount of dedication and effort. You can’t just magically make money by following the Liberty system — you have to be creative, and you have to work many long hours. All that said, I still think her business world is probably going to crumble at some point, and both of our worlds will be crushed. And I too see what many of you have observed. Her business is starting to slow down to a level that’s very disconcerting, I think because the masses are seeing Liberty for what it really is — an expensive scam…for both clients and franchisees.

  It troubles me how this company seems to prey on the unsophisticated, uneducated clients who pay the high fees with barely a thought, because all they want is that quick tax refund so they can go buy that new motorcycle or ATV or whatever. There’s no reason that I can see why Liberty would have to charge that much to prepare simple tax returns. Yes, I guess to cover the cost of the royalties — which I agree 100% are completely exhorbitant. In fact, 19% royalties are insane. I fear my wife will someday have to file for bankruptcy, and in the process take her unsuspecting family down with her. Thanks a lot, Mr. Hewitt.

• Next I’d like to address ‘Mike’ and ‘Frustrated and Disgusted’ and others who so adamantly and repeatedly bash John Hewitt, the Liberty concept, and the company in general. I understand why you do it — I assume you were burned by the system and want to do your part to ensure others aren’t similarly taken in. That’s admirable. However, what I don’t like is your persistent preachyness in the way you try and bring your point across. You say over and over and over again that Liberty is a bad investment! Okay, we get it. Horse dead and severely beaten. And I believe you’re probably right. But you need to understand that there are indeed franchisees out there who are successful with the Liberty model. Maybe, as you say, some of the posts are actually from corporate employee ‘posers’ (if it were your company, wouldn’t you be doing the same thing to try and defend its name from such attacks?), but based on what I’ve read some of them are from legitimate zees who work hard and earn a good living. And God forbid anybody ever disagrees with you — you guys absolutely skewer anyone who has the gall to try that. That’s not constructive banter, it’s just needless berating and it’s tactless. I’m assuming one or both of you (Mike and F&D) are the administrators of this site — that’s great, it’s a healthy vehicle for people to vent their frustrations. But please don’t be so condescending to the people who are actually happy and doing well with their Liberty experiences.

  One other thing, I’ve seen referenced at least a couple times your desire for the Liberty Tax entity to eventually ‘fail’. Maybe this would take down John Hewitt as is your apparent desire. So be it. But please remember the hundreds of franchisees out there that would have all their hopes and dreams come crashing down if Liberty were to fail altogether. That is an awful lot of families and lives that will potentially be ruined. Please be considerate of those people when you make those types of comments.

  Thanks for creating this site as a way for people on BOTH sides of the argument to voice their opinions.

• It’s a bad investment. Period

• Forgotten man,

  you make a lot of good points and I believe you speak the truth.

  That being said, their are hundreds of families and a lot of lives and dreams that will be ruined, and John Hewitt will be just fine. He doesn’t care about anyone, just his own company. You admit you don’t trust him, you think you’re destined for bankruptcy and YOUR world and marriage (you have kids!) will be ruined?

  I hope those future potential franchisees heed your warning and avoid the heartbreak this business will bring most people.

  Those not in John’s ‘inner circle’ have almost no chance of making it, they just hang on to the ‘dream,’ borrow money and slowly crumble….what a way to live, that is terrible and I wish that on no one. Your wife works her tail off 12 months a year, had tax preparation experience, and is John’s ‘inner circle’ and is still looking at failure?! How do you think anyone who doesn’t have so much going for them will ever make it in the Liberty system? They’re not going to!

  It’s a bad business, stay away!

• Forgotten Man,

  If 50% of new offices can’t reopen again in their second year, how much have they lost? How is that IPO working out, what about the all those comments from customers on Liberty’s fb? Are they fabricated? If you are willing to lose your wife over a Liberty franchise I feel sorry for you, that should never happen but it does and will. If Liberty was a good investment then most of us would still be passing out donuts.

• Mike:

  Just to be clear, obviously I am not ‘willing’ to lose my wife over a Liberty franchise. Your remark implying just that is cruel and unwarranted. She went into this business despite my urgings not to do it — she’s her own woman who makes her own decisions. She’s always wanted a business of her own and at least had the ambition to TRY something — I can’t fault her for that even if I don’t agree with her choice of franchise.

• Re; Forgotten Man

  No one wants bad things to happen to your family. We have all been there. I hope that she re-evaluates what is going on at the end of the season and realizes the stress she is putting on her family, not to mention herself.

• This is crazy. I just have to post again. Why would anyone go into a business with borrowed money? If you don’t have the money save it up or don’t do it. Has anyone heard of Dave Ramsey? I know that’s not what Liberty is selling but take some personal responsibility. This is a business model that takes 5-10 years to mature. Don’t count on the income any sooner. Once again that is not how it’s pitched but do some research. Find out what average first year offices are doing, second year offices, etc. Do a pro forma on your expenses. Forgotten man I’m sick about your situation but the idea of taking out a $500k loan on a chance is not rational. Why would anyone risk so much? Don’t put in what you can’t afford to lose. Most businesses fail because they are over leveraged and the owners can’t survive the lean years. Stop the insanity.

• Texas Zee:

  Borrowing money to start a business is a normal thing — that’s just how it works — banks lend money to individuals so they can keep their businesses going. Anybody that thinks otherwise is out of touch with reality. And certainly it’s only a select few that are able to follow Dave Ramsey’s no debt model — most cannot. Still, some of your points are valid. Yes, it probably does take 5-10 years for a Liberty franchise to mature (though my wife’s first store was already mature and is located in a low-to to moderate-income neighborhood, so it’s been a cash cow for her). And agreed, taking out a $500k loan is insanity — as I said I was COMPLETELY against it. However, the loan is unsecured, which makes me feel slightly better. And John Hewitt “said” to my wife…and this is the part I’m very leery about…that she can just walk away from this note at any time, no questions asked, if she ever gets to the point where she can’t handle it anymore. In other words, they’d just find some other sucker to take on the role and note. Don’t get me wrong, that damn note scares me to death. But at least so far she’s been successful, and the royalties she’s gotten from her area stores were plenty sufficient to pay the first annual installment on the big note.

• Forgotten Man
  There may be some truth in what you heard about forgiveness of the loan. I had 2 franchises for two years and when I started my AD had just purchased 10 franchises and the AD position for my area. One Million dollars. After 2 years he like myself went under. He signed the notice to cure and his dept was forgiven. How much he lost in the long run I don’t know. Good luck I hope your wife makes it, It is alot to take on at one time but all people are different. I decided to get out after 2 years and signed the notice to cure and my remaining dept was forgiven, I only lost about $90,000. It’s not the franchise fee that cost as I purchesed one outright and had the other half paid. But when you add upo all the cost over those two years trying to survive it adds up. Once again good luck to you both.

• Definitely appreciate the well wishes everyone.

• So how willing is Liberty to forgive royalties due if a Zee decides to walk? I would love to just walk after this tax season and call it a day. They can keep the signs, equipment, everything!

• ‘Mike’ raised a good point yesterday. What IS the latest on the IPO filing? It’s been almost six months since the initial filing, and still nothing has happened. Will it still happen, and when? Anybody know?

• Another Zee,
  I walked away owing Liberty 11,000 in royalties but I had to give up my paid up franchise and all the money I paid them for my second. The equipment,signs and all supplies you keep. Of course you have to sign the Notice to Cure in order to get out. Good luck

• Richie B, can you email me at [redacted].

  [We don’t allow posting of contact info in the comments. However, to exchange contact information, both parties can email permission to UnhappyFranchisee[at]gmail.com and we will hook you up. Thanks. ADMIN]

• Richie B, I’m a little slow when it comes to this stuff, so you gave up everything, gave up your territory and you still had to pay them monies owed?

• Another Zee check with your AD about the Notice to Cure. I don’t want to give out my email because of the Notice to Cure I signed. He or She should be able to explain it.

• Another Zee:

  It was different for me. The season before my last they wanted me to give up the franchise (corp. had bought out the office closes to mine) and they would let me off with out owing past royalties. I still wanted to give it a shot and told them so. Of course they tried to pressure me by not offering me any operating loans. At the end of the following season I approached them about getting out and they sent me a termination agreement saying I could walk away but I still owed them the royalties. After much haggling and me threatning to file bankruptcy they relented and waived the royalties. Don’t know if it was the bankruptcy idea that made them change their minds but I read on the internet that if someone files bankruptcy the franchise is considered part of their assets and the franchisor can’t get it back until the bankruptcy is over. I’m not an attorney so I recommend talking to a bankruptcy lawyer about this.

  Forgotten Man:

  The IPO is not going to happen. HR Block is trading around $16 a share and at that price they would need to sell 5,600,000 shares. I just don’t see it happening. The other thing you have to remember is John Hewitt just likes to read his name in print. Remember he was going to buy a bank, take over Jackson Hewitt, offered to be the CEO of HR Block. He’s the PT Barnum of the tax industry.

  When I look at their financials you realize they need the IPO. They don’t want to have to borrow on their line of credit to keep their operations running. In the past they provided a lot of operating loans to their franchises to tide them over until the next season. But each year the cash on their books goes lower and lower. Last year at the date of their financials they had cash on their books just over a $1,000,000. When you consider they where selling new franchises this year at $2,500 vs $40,0000 that is going to impact cash flow. Another issue that could hurt them in future years is without the bank products they don’t have the abiltiy to do fee intercept to get their money back from the franchisee for royalties and repayment of loans. Without the IPO you could see a jump in the number of stores that close.

  History has a tendency to repeat itself. Remember John Hewitt is the man who started Jackson Hewitt and was also the same person who almost put Jackson Hewitt in to bankruptcy from growing to fast. that’s before it was taking over by Cendent.

• Interest stuff about the IPO, Bill. Can anyone tell me where on the Internet a regular Joe like me might find financial statements for the corporate Liberty Tax entity? I’d like to examine their financial trends and see if it really is a house of cards.

• Never mind. Found them at http://www.libertytax.com.

• Another Zee,
  Didn’t have to pay what I owed them. Walked away without any debt and yes I did tell them I would have to claim bankruptcy.

• I had to claim bankruptcy as well. They still continue to harass my former employess and customers by telling the employees that they were part of MY franchise agreement (That takes a lot of nerve!) and my customers that I have left the country ( I’m still here by the way). This is not at all an ethical company. I still get bills from them for franchise fees even though I left some time ago.

• Forgotten Man;

  Think about this for a minute. You are JTH and you want to make your company look like it is worth more than it is. Acc’ts and Notes Receivable are assets. Of course, what it would take to collect those assets are never figured into the equation. Most of us who still owe Liberty cannot pay or we would, many have declared bankruptcy. They probably still show as receivables. Remember, this is a scam artist at work.

  Again, this franchise is a bad investment. Period

• F&D:

  Yes, I’m keenly aware how the balance sheet structure works. And I did think that very thing when I noticed the receivable balances (though they didn’t really go up that much from 2010 to 2011 (real curious to see what the FYE 4/30/12 statement will look like).

  “Again, this franchise is a bad investment. Period” Again, horse still dead and severely beaten…not getting up any time soon.

• F&D,

  Their financials are audited. If there was any doubts of collections their auditors would have made them write off the debt and the bank would not be lending them even more money than they have. Common sense is what you are lacking.

• The allowance for doubtfull accounts is a number that is determined by management.

  See page 10 of this years financials which explains that it includes the company’s best estimate of probable credit losses. Further along in the note it explains that the amount is dependent on the performance of the underlying franchisee, management estimates the amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts based on a comparison of amounts due to the estimated fair value of the underlying franchise.

  The auditor as it states in the report it plans and performs the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.

  What I am questioning is the reliance on the underlying franchisee, how does an audit test for reasonableness and who is determing the estimated fair value of the underlying franchise. On the financial statements you will see that the allowance is about 6.6% of the receivables. My questions is this figure adequate. Are only 6.6% of franchises going to fail and not be able to pay. consider that about 35% of all franchisees fail I don’t know if that is adequate. And how does selling franchises for $2,500 + higher royalties change the estimated fair value of a franchise?

• so you want people to trust your opinion more than the auditors that are putting their name on the line or the bank that is lending them $120mill? Obviously, they have looked into your question and determined that the allowance was reasonable and that the chances of LIberty not being able to pay back the $120mill was very small.

• While it’s true that audited statements should present the most accurate depiction of a company’s financial status, I have to agree with Bill on this one. I highly doubt the auditors at KPMG fully understand the inner workings of Liberty and their franchise model. There’s no arguing the historical failure rate, and the corporate henchmen at Liberty are smart enough to be able to mask anything that’s going to look egregiously negative in the general public’s eye.

• 1 IPO And 2 Companies To Watch Out For During Tax Season

  As the saying goes: “The only two certainties in life are death and taxes.” Yet for investors looking to count on the stability of companies that prosper during tax season, such certainty of late has been far from stable. The advent of the digital era, along with a growing do-it-yourself mentality, has changed the playing field of the tax industry. All the while, the need for external tax assistance is only going to grow as the shifting political landscape is likely to introduce additional complexities in the tax code.

  One such winner to gain from this changing landscape is Intuit Inc. (INTU). The financial management solution provider responsible for the popular software brand of “TurboTax” has consistently proven itself to be a leader in tax-related software. Yet part of the company’s success has been its ability to also diversify into other areas geared towards small and medium-sized businesses. Intuit’s “GoPayment” mobile payment system has begun to gain momentum, competing well in a market that is beginning to be crowded out by such players as “Square”, Ebay’s (EBAY) “Paypal”, and Google’s (GOOG) “Google Wallet.”

  Intuit recently reported its second quarter results, with profit soaring 62% on strong revenue of $1.02 Billion. Intuit’s TurboTax brand experienced a 10% increase season-to-date through February 2012, allowing for the company to confidently reiterate its full-year guidance that consumer tax revenue will grow about 10-13% for the year.

  We are off to a great start in tax. Early indications are positive and we are pleased with how the business is performing so far. Third-party data and our unit sales through Feb. 18 give us confidence that the software category is growing and that we are executing well. – Brad Smith, CEO of Intuit.

  While such positive news for Intuit may be sounding optimism for the industry, those looking at the brick-and-mortar tax store operator of H&R Block (HRB) still have much to worry about. Since 2005, the company’s share price has steadily declined almost 40%. In its last quarterly report, the company saw a wider net loss, as it was wounded by higher expenses, including the discontinuation of its Express Tax business. Even with an 8% rise in revenues, the last quarter demonstrated the rough patch H&R is going through as its fights to keep up with the changing times.

  Yet even as the share price falls, the company continues to show confidence in itself. Apart from a stable dividend that has grown to a 4.9% yield, the company also retains an ongoing share buyback program. Additionally, the company recently announced its interim tax results which allude to a stronger year than that of the prior.

  It is still early, but we believe that we are clearly on pace to gain share in both our retail and digital channels this tax season… – Bill Cobb, CEO of H&R Block.

  In light of the changing tax assistance field, one additional play investors may choose to be on the lookout for comes from the likely IPO of JTH Holding Inc. JTH Holding serves as the parent company of Liberty Tax Service. From 2001 to 2011, Liberty Tax’s number of locations jumped from 508 to almost 3900 stores. It now stands as the No. 3 retail provider of tax returns in the United States and the No. 2 provider in all of Canada.

  In its S-1 filing, the company has shown its business model is succeeding, as its net income grew 43% to $15.8 million in 2011, up from $11.0 million in 2010. Working under a franchise system, JTH Holding believes this is the key to their success, as it allows for the parent company to focus on the marketing, support and development aspects of the company’s initiatives.

  Taken as a whole, JTH Holding looks as if its entrance in the public market could provide an opportunity for investors looking to further diversify into the industry of tax assistance. Found again in its S-1 filing, the company asserts that the number of tax returns filed with the IRS looks to increase at a rate of 5% for the years of 2011 to 2015. With such consistent growth to a potential market of 131 million current tax return filers, there remains a sizable opportunity for business expansion for all those involved.

• Forbes has just published a very suspect ranking of the 20 Best Franchises for the Buck. It ranks McDonald’s #6 and Liberty Tax #7.

  http://www.forbes.com/sites/jjcolao/2012/02/08/top-20-franchises-for-the-buck/
  _____________________________________________
  7. Liberty Tax Service

  Virginia Beach, Va.

  The tax-prep chain takes to the streets with employees who dress up like the Statue of Liberty and wave logoed signs. Each year, for a week in January, Liberty offers free nationwide classes on tax preparation.

  Average initial investment: $63,350
  U.S. locations as of 4/30/11: 3,592
  Closures (last three fiscal years): 337
  Hours of Training Offered: 31
  _____________________________________________

  We are protesting their pick of Snap-on Tools as the #1 pick, as they are understating the investment, claiming Snap-on had zero failures when they’ve had 1000 fanchises “reaquired” by the franchisor in 3 years, plus lost a major franchisee class action suit.

  Check out: Forbes’ Praise of the Snap-On Franchise Draws Fire, Disbelief
  http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/forbes-snap-on-franchise/

  They also list Edible Arrangements, even though 170 franchisees are suing the franchisor. They obviously don’t care what the franchisee’s have to say.

  Should we also question their endorsement of Liberty Tax? Is the info/criteria they’re using valid?

• If you pay $2500 as the franchise fee, it is probably a pretty a good deal.Unfortunately you end up paying 25% of your revenue back to Liberty for software. I purchased mine for $500 this year and am very pleased.

• Must be a busy season no one is posting. Looking forward to seeing Liberty’s results. Add 15% more stores so revenue should be up 15%.

• Bill,,

  Probably Lberty will be up in returns but flat in revenue, way too many free returns. Liberty loves the return count even at the expense that franchisees have to buy donuts and payroll to do those free returns :)

• I think it is interesting how posters on this board love to move the discussion off of Liberty to JH. Just like Liberty changed their Facebook page to Timeline so they could edit out all of the negative comments about doing overpriced returns and poor service. Why not fix the problems instead of ignoring them. As mentioned on the JH site, I got rid of the storefront, and instead use a very visible office that will cost me per year what most pay for one month. I do advertising and promoting, on target to do over 300 returns this year, and will net significantly more than 75% of the LT franchise stores with none of the headaches. People bring LT, JH, returns from last year and over 50% of them missed significant legally deductible opportunities. And I charge significantly less because my costs are lower.

  Again, anyone reading this, please stay away from Liberty Tax. They are not a legitimate business, just out to screw you out of your money.

• Frustrated and Disgusted:

  I was looking at a message board for HR Block’s stock and there are some comments about Liberty going public. One of the individuals who writes goes by floridatax and is a Liberty franchisee. His comments are well thought out and it sounds like he has a very good business. He talks about the training he provides, his dedication to service etc. While I was reading his comments I was thinking of what you where saying about Liberty. How does this franchisee feel about Liberty selling franchises to anyone who can fog a mirror, or their lack of dedication to quality control and making sure that everyone is being consistent in their approach. How would you like to build a business based on your hard work but uses Liberty’s name and their selling territories for $2,500.00. It’s got to be disheartning.

• Bill,

  Florida is an Area Developer with a few stores of his own. He does fight the good fight for Liberty, imagine how successful he would be on his own and not allowing the “foggers” to cheapen the brand. One of my new clients went to Liberty and they told him to leave because they couldnt do the return. It does come around and go around, but looking at the number of complaints on Libertys’ fb does make you wonder about the fee to value relationship.

• Liberty is a weak franchise model. I have seen the number for the entire dma with about 30 offices and the highest office does around 700 returns. Only 1 or 2 people are making a living out of the 30 offices. It is a hard franchise model to make money if your during less than 500 paid returns.

  Don’t believe for a minute you will do more than 1000 returns, all the the above office range up to 12 years old. An office during more than a 1000 returns is like 1 out of 50 or 100 with Liberty and those are the franchise owners that get flown into VA beach for the dog and pony show to prospects.

  In a normally franchise you have a bottom 10% and the 10% making money and not making money – but in liberty is more like 50% not making and 49% making money and 1% really making a living wage.

  You be much better off saving your money and working until you find another business model or do tax, bookkeeping on your own if you are an accountant.

• If you are going to start on your own, put together a support group and start
  with 2 locations. You are going to pay for the marketing anyway, might as well reap all the benefits.

• Liberty is absolutely a cult-like scam. I have been in for 6 years and am profitable but my disgust for the ethical and moral issues of corporate are killing me .Do not buy this franchise . At the end of the day believe me it is not about the money. This is not the fun family venture John paints. They would sooner mug and shoot you for a dollar than ever try and help you.In my latest tyrade with Liberty they have sold a neigboring teritory to 2 of my 5 year office mgrs who in turn took with them seasoned wavers and preparers, they also stole my client list and sent letters out to all my clients stating we had moved. Since it was a Liberty guess where all my clients went ! In addition to these facts it has since come to my attention the former mgr of mine was unable to obtain an efin # or ptin due to a felony conviction yet liberty sold her a franchise even knowing this. All of these items are in direct violation of their franchise agreement .This is a very short summary of all the issues I have with Liberty. They refuse to terminate this person or do anything at all in regards to my issues-Ihave waited since Jan 15 for answers and finally got one March 15 – They would be happy to sell my stores on commission agreement.What a joke . I need to find someone big enough to go up against them too many are getting their lives ruined . Any one have any suggestions?

• Dave;

  I am guessing a year ago, you would have been a JTH defender. Now you know what the rest of us have had to deal with. Now that I have left and have some time to look back, I realize that Liberty Tax and John Hewitt are clueless about the income tax preparation market. I am having a good year, making significantly more than I ever did trying to use their model, and enjoying not writing a check to LT on a monthly basis. We are using TaxAct software and it is leaps and bounds ahead of anything Liberty ever supplied. I have all of the benefits if I want them, with none of the headaches. Again, understand that these jokers will sell you down the river for a buck, and laugh as they watch you drown. It is a bad investment.

• No probably never a defender based on the hell of years past just had no way out had purchased three no financing tried to save investment -that did in fact work. But still in the trap with no way out unless Iwalk away impossible to sell anyone I send to buy they will sell them something else etc, you know the drill everyone has a piece of the pie so no honesty when it comes to the buck .In order for me to sell I would have to give my honest opinion and that would squash all deals. How long have you been gone ? Did you wallk away or sell ? I wonder if pending litigation holds up ipo ?

• Honestly, and this is a hard reality, you need to walk away. The Liberty stores and territories are worthless and corporate will NOT help you sell them.

  Good luck.

• Dave: what pending litigation are you referring to? As for walking away it sounds to me like your making some money so the only way to get your money back out is to stay. Not an easy situation.