LIBERTY TAX SERVICE Franchise Complaints
UnhappyFranchisee.com asked: Are LIBERTY TAX SERVICE Franchise Owners Happy? If you’re familiar
with the Liberty Tax franchise, please share a comment below.
Entrepreneur magazine has ranked the Liberty Tax Service franchise #3 behind McDonald’s & Subway. However, some commenters who claimed to be former Liberty Tax franchisees left stern warnings on the Franchise-chat forum.
This post was originally published
BostonTax wrote:
I’m a former Liberty Tax Franchisee
I hope you are ready for a little enlightenment! I held a successful Liberty Tax Franchise for 5 years until I decided to let the franchise agreement lapse. I did this for a few reasons:
1. The royalty fees were outrageous! 14% went to normal royalty while and ADDITIONAL 5% went for so called advertising royalties. The ad royalties were supposed to be put back into your local market to build the brand name. This was never done! All advertising in addition to the ad royalty I had to pay for because it did not fit into Liberty’s concept of advertising. I don’t know exactly what the concept was because our AD could not give an answer and the approved methods changed by the week.
2. Corporate was totally unresponsive to the needs of the franchisees. The AD system is designed to recruit anyone who can write a check for 100K. No other skills or ability required.
3. The minute you are behind in a royalty payment, they send you a notice to cure. After that, if you don’tpay, they try to terminate your franchise agreement.
4. Upon termination, Liberty enforces through legal proceeding a 2 year, 25 mile radis non compete clause that is in the franchise agreement. This is enforceable in the Eastern Division of the Federal District court, where, at least 2 Liberty friendly judges preside.
5. Liberty does not recognize chargebacks for bad debts as an adjustment for your royalty fees. All royalties are based on your gross, not your net collectable. This was an ongoing issue with them and the accounting department did not have the ability or the inclination to resolve!
My best advice is do not go with these guys, they are bad news. If you like to have people collect royalties and provide no support, then this is the franchise for you! It is very expensive to get into, the initial fee is around $32K just to buy the territory plus those pesky royalties. You can’t make money on this concept.Most of the surviving franchisees I’ve talked to in the last 2 years have experienced great difficulty not only in making a profit, but in the corporate support or lack thereof.Remember, 19% of your gross is getting kicked back to Liberty, which is excessive by any standards. Please do yourself a favor and call former franchisees ,those that are currently getting sued (they are very likely to talk, as I found out), and current ones to try to get the straight poop.
Barbara Green wrote:
I too was a Liberty Tax Franchisee and I agree with everything you said.
The only reason for purchasing any franchise is because the business model is a proven marketing success as evidenced by the profitable franchisees. That is why you pay a license fee of $25,000. Being profitable is not in the cards for a Liberty Tax franchisee. Liberty Tax’s market/ business model is aimed at individuals who have very simple tax returns, i.e one W-2 and standard deduction which is why they were very successful in Norfolk, Va. That market is full of military people with one w-2.
Liberty will sell anyone a franchise at any location, in any georgraphic area, even if there is not a chance in hell of the franchisee being successful.
At one time, I too owned a Liberty Tax Franchise for one tax season. It was only one season because of the behavior of the Regional Manager who called me on January 15th demanding and screaming “Why had I not generated 200 tax returns and that maybe this business was not for me. I was stunned and confused since employers are given until January 31st. to give w-2’s to employees. Apparently, he thought that I was in Norfolk, Va. where that is possible.
It only goes downhill from there. The bottom line is I lost all of my investment in this businees (approx. $80,000) because I closed it rather than becoming a victim of this unethical company. NOthing would make me happier than to be a part of a class action lawsuit.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? DO YOU OR HAVE YOU OWNED A LIBERTY TAX SERVICE FRANCHISE? ARE LIBERTY TAX SERVICE FRANCHISEES HAPPY? WHY OR WHY NOT?
.
Trisha,
You rock girl!! In your last post it says “fear the felon John Hewitt” please do tell! That doesn’t surprise me at all!!! What a PIECE HE IS!!!
Trish, Obvously Roger hasnt read all your post.
Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Nobody. I enjoy your post keep up the good work.
I found it very interesting that his son jumped ship also. Guess he got sick of running around in a Lliberty costume too. Does anybody know where the advertising money goes? It looks like the only advertising that they do is to lure more victims into buying franchises.
Liberty Tax Service
Request FREE Info
No Tax Experience? No Worries, Liberty Tax Service will teach you everything you need to know in this recession resistance franchise. We have one of the lowest cost franchises with very high returns. No wonder we’re always on the top lists for Entrepreneur Magazine and International Franchise Association. We can’t wait to hear from you.
Liquid Capital Required: $50,000
They still trying to lure in the suckers. They don’t teach you anything once you sign you are on your own. High returns my a”
@Richie,
I saw those ads and more too…. that’s where the advertising royalties went don’t you believe?
If they don’t sell some stores this year, they are in bad condition for their next move.
Ad should say all single mothers with no assets apply for full financing and others with assets please let us make you think it is hard to get selected.
Just saying…
Richie, request my contact info, I have an idea to share with you privately or facebook message me.
Thanks so much for sharing that, I was thinking same thing when I saw their aggressive ads this month.
-Trisha
Oh wait, maybe their advertising budget was comprised of the revenue they earn from taking DMA’s from the area developers who better like koolaid for a while.
-Trisha
Danny jumped ship because his own father, termed him too to take back his DMA like the rest of the AD’s when their strategy of revenue changed and they would not allow anyone to sell their DMA just like their territories for zees….just my opinion.
-Trisha
So the CEO OF LIBERTY TAX JOHN HEWITT, TOOK HIS SON DANNY to task? If that is true, what would he do to a franchisee? If you are a current franchisee, or someone looking to buy, DON”T DO IT!!!
@mike and all,
It is not like just Danny as though perhaps Danny done something rogue. How can you explain that he did the same thing to his daughter and his children’s mother?
I guess just like selling vacuum cleaners, you go after vulnerable family first to test your capabilities. In this case is how easily he can rob his own family. So with no regards to ethical behavior to steal from his own family, how much does he value anyone in the Liberty system and now knowing this information, what person in their right mind would deal with such a horrible monster?
He slept with Martha and others in the company, and some once famed franchisees. If that is not manipulation from a sociopath, I do not know what is.
All this is fact, not opinion.
DO NOT BUY THIS FAILING FRANCHISE. IT IS ALL A SHOW, there is absolutely no growth in this industry and next season will be at a bigger decline. He cannot even give these territories away to anyone with intellegence at this point so he is ready to cash in at a much more aggressive pace and take it all.
PS> Jackson Hewitt booted John out and so did HR Block, yet he keeps acting like he sold it. Ok sure, how about some transparency on that any corporate listeners?
Steal from your own family, you are capable of stealing from anyone, once a thief always a thief.
-Trisha
-Trisha
I’m in the process of selling my offices. There are aspects of the business and franchise I like and others I don’t. In my 3 three years, I had 3 different ADs – what a joke. When I had to take out FAC or loans through corporate, I striked out lines and initialed the strikeout that I didn’t agree with such as personal guarantees, waiving homestead rights, etc. and my notes with Liberty were all approved – it took a little longer than normal but they were approved that way. Don’t let them dictate the terms to you. The ADs say there is no negotiating with them so I didn’t negotiate – I removed the parts I didn’t like and signed it and John signed it that way.
Please join me in welcoming Marty Mazer to the Liberty family. Marty will be assuming the role of Vice President of Franchise Development overseeing franchise development in the US and Canada, area development, corporate store sales, and company store operations.
Marty is coming to us from ACE Cash Express where he was the Division VP of Franchising and Tax Partnerships. He brings 20 years of franchising knowledge with him and knows our business very well, having been the VP of Franchise Development at Jackson Hewitt from 1992 until 2000.
Marty is here to help us achieve our 2020 vision. Please reach out to him this week at the convention and introduce yourself and welcome him to our team.
John
Liberty z,
Excellant information! First, you said your agreements have no personal guarantees. Second, you said your stores are being sold.
Will you at least break even? Thanks!
Robert,
New hire sounds like ‘hum’. Early season customers spread out all over the place. When you say Jackson Hewitt, a lot of people say ‘who’?
Tax industry growth is in April customers.
Liberty z,
Do you honestly think you will find a buyer? I ask only because I have never seen an existing Z-owned store sell.
Good luck
@Don’t Be Fooled
Yes, buyer has signed all paperwork and supposedly sale has been approved by corp but waiting John’s approval. Mind you, I did not get what I wanted to out of the sale but I got back the majority of my original investment.
Back to John Hewitt and his Jackson Hewitt days…. Wish to compare and speculate on certain association with certain actions and reporting?
Marty Mazer worked along side of him in 1995 and 1996 at the least and Executives and Marty’s postition was Development and Corporate Stores
Mr. John Hewitt “resigned” as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company Jackson Hewitt Inc in September 1996. $227,514 represents cancellation of indebtedness to the Company in the amount of $115,827 and non-competition payments in the amount of $111,687 in connection with Mr. Hewitt’s resignation from the Company See “Certain Transactions.”
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
On July 11, 1994, the Company sold certain assets related to its operation of a Company-owned office in Chesapeake, Virginia to Chestax Company, 50% of which is owned by Christopher Drake, the Company’s Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. The purchase price of $272,764 was equal to approximately 120% of the gross revenues of the Jackson Hewitt office as of April 30, 1994, was paid for by Mr. Drake’s delivery of an 11%, 5-year promissory recourse note to the Company, and was calculated on terms comparable to those of similar transactions with non-affiliates. The Company’s gain on the sale of these assets was $89,490. As of April 30, 1997, the unpaid balance of the promissory note was $109,106. The Company believes that the foregoing transaction was consummated on terms consistent with those that would apply to transactions with non-affiliates in similar circumstances.
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements reflect a $1.3 million stock subscription receivable which is due from the Company’s former Chairman of the Board of Directors, John T. Hewitt. On September 9, 1996, Mr. Hewitt resigned his position with the Company effective immediately. Mr. Hewitt resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors in December 1996. On December 12, 1996, Mr. Hewitt executed a $1.3 million promissory note, which represented all amounts then due the Company, including accrued interest, other than the $99,000 obligation referred to below. This recourse note bears interest at 6.9% per year. Mr. Hewitt is required to make monthly interest payments and to repay the principal amount in one lump sum on April 30, 1999. To secure this note, Mr. Hewitt pledged 145,050 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to the Company, and granted the Company a proxy to vote this stock until his obligation is repaid in full. In return for 29 monthly payments of $23,165 each by the Company to Mr. Hewitt, Mr. Hewitt also executed a covenant not to compete with the Company in the United States through April 30, 1999, and agreed not to solicit Company employees, conduct a solicitation of proxies or disparage the Company or its officers and directors during the same period. In addition, the Company forgave a $99,000 (plus accrued interest) obligation of Mr. Hewitt to the Company, which would have been due and payable on April 30, 1997.
In December 1996, the Company entered into a binding letter of intent with Susan Ventresca, a former franchisee and director of the Company, to purchase her franchised territories and all related assets (the “Territories”) at the end of the 1997 tax season. Ms. Ventresca resigned from the Board of Directors in December 1996 and the transaction closed in June 1997. The terms of the agreement allowed the Company to audit Ms. Ventresca’s franchise operations for the one-year period ended April 30, 1997, to determine the purchase price of the Territories. The purchase price was determined based on a formula equal to the lesser of (i) six times the cash flow (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of the Territories or (ii) 120% of the gross revenues of the Territories, plus $40,000 (which represents the value of two additional territories held by Ms. Ventresca) minus all outstanding debt to the Company. All payments on Ms. Ventresca’s outstanding notes receivable due to the Company on February 28, 1997 were deferred until the closing of the transaction. This formula resulted in a net payment to Ms. Ventresca of $235,000. The Company believes that the foregoing transactions with Ms. Ventresca were consummated on terms consistent with those that would apply to transactions with non-affiliates in similar circumstances.
On June 27, 1997, the Company entered into the Recapitalization Agreement with the Preferred Shareholders, pursuant to which the Company will exchange 699,707 shares of Common Stock for the 504,950 outstanding Shares of Series A Stock in a tax-free recapitalization. See “Recent Developments.” The Preferred Shareholders include Geocapital II, L.P. and Geocapital III, L.P., two affiliated partnerships which collectively own in excess of 5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding stock, and JMI Equity Fund, L.P., of which Harry Gruner, a director of the Company, is a general partner. See “Principal and Selling Shareholders.”
.
Shares
Martin B. Mazer 2,050(14) * — 2,050 *
John T. Hewitt(15) 111,711(16) 2.1 — 111,711 1.8
(14) Includes options to purchase 1,600 shares of Common Stock that were granted pursuant to the Incentive Plan.
(15) Mr. Hewitt’s address is …
(16) Does not include 145,050 of Mr. Hewitt’s shares that have been pledged to the Company to secure certain debt and are voted by the Company. See “Certain
Transactions.”Convertible Notes
From November 1992 through February 1993, the Company raised $778,750 in a private placement of 6% convertible notes (“Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes bear an interest rate of 6% and are due March 1, 1998. Upon certain events of default by the Company, the holders of not less than 25% of the Convertible Notes may declare the principal of all Convertible Notes due and payable immediately. The Convertible Notes are not subject to redemption by the Company or at the option of the holders, nor are the Convertible Notes entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
Anti-Takeover Statutes
Affiliated Transactions. The Virginia Stock Corporation Act (“Virginia Act”) contains provisions governing “Affiliated Transactions.” Affiliated Transactions include certain mergers and share exchanges, certain material dispositions of corporate assets not in the ordinary course of business, any dissolution of a corporation proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Shareholder (as defined below), and reclassifications, including reverse stock splits, recapitalizations or mergers of a corporation with its subsidiaries, or distributions or other transactions which have the effect of increasing the percentage of voting shares beneficially owned by an Interested Shareholder by more than 5%. For purposes of the Virginia Act, an Interested Shareholder is defined as any beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of the voting securities of a Virginia corporation.
LITIGATION
The Company is a defendant in certain lawsuits and is aware of other threatened claims generally incidental to its business as a franchiser. Management is of the opinion that the accompanying financial statements will not be materially affected by the ultimate resolution of litigation pending or threatened at April 30, 1997.
We offer a Jackson Hewitt Tax Service franchise to operate a tax return preparation business featuring our proprietary software and electronic filing.
Initial Franchise Fee: $20,000.00
Estimated Initial Investment For An Undeveloped Territory-Storefront:
$48,100.00 to $60,530.00.
RISK FACTORS
THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT PERMITS YOU TO SUE ONLY IN VIRGINIA. OUT OF STATE LITIGATION MAY FORCE YOU TO ACCEPT A LESS FAVORABLE SETTLEMENT FOR DISPUTES. IT MAY ALSO COST MORE TO SUE IN VIRGINIA. EVEN THOUGH THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT YOU MAY ONLY SUE IN VIRGINIA, LOCAL LAW IN YOUR STATE MAY HOLD OTHERWISE. PLEASE REFER TO ANY STATE-SPECIFIC ADDENDUM ATTACHED TO THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR FOR DETAILS.
THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT STATES THAT VIRGINIA LAW GOVERNS THE AGREEMENT, AND THIS LAW MAY NOT PROVIDE THE SAME PROTECTIONS AND BENEFITS AS LOCAL LAW. YOU MAY WANT TO COMPARE THESE LAWS. EVEN THOUGH THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT VIRGINIA LAW APPLIES, LOCAL LAW MAY SUPERSEDE IT IN YOUR STATE. PLEASE REFER TO ANY STATE-SPECIFIC ADDENDUM THAT MAY BE ATTACHED TO THE OFFERING CIRCULAR FOR DETAILS.
THERE ARE OTHER RISKS CONCERNING THIS FRANCHISE.
Information comparing franchisers is available. Call the state administrators listed in Exhibit M or your local public library for information.
Registration of this franchise by a state does not mean that the state recommends it or has verified the information in this Offering Circular. If you learn that anything in the Offering Circular is untrue, contact the Federal Trade Commission and the state authority.
Effective date: June 26, 1997
Looks like ALL the underdogs of Jackson Hewitt knew when to grab an oar and sail away with Mr. Hewitt if you look further into his strategies. John Hewitt and Liberty Tax Lies.
-Trisha
@Liberty z
So what you are really waiting for is for them to term you, then sell to your buyer for a fraction of the cost you are wishing it to be sold for….just saying…Good Luck with that signature from almighty John or Liberty Tax.
Contact me via admin or fb, you will be unhappy very soon.
-Trisha
Marty Mazer, Vice-President of Franchise Development and Corporate Stores
Mr. Mazer was appointed our Vice-President of Franchise Development and Corporate Stores in May 1997. From May 1996, Mr. Mazer served as Director of Franchise Development and since October 1996 as Director of Corporate Stores. From May 1, 1995 until May 1, 1996, Mr. Mazer served as our Divisional Director in charge of company stores, and from December 1993 to April 1995, Mr. Mazer was our Regional Director of the Southeast Region. Mr. Mazer joined us in August 1993 as a Franchise Sales Representative. Before joining Jackson Hewitt, Mr. Mazer was an Area Supervisor with Bally’s Health and Tennis where he worked since 1981.
@Trisha
I don’t want to say I’m unhappy because I really enjoyed my time working with the clients and meeting so many great people. It was difficult at times working with ADs that didn’t know anything more than me and only knew how to regurgitate what corporate says and trying to work with other franchisees to build the brand but wanted nothing to do with working together with other franchisees.
Also, I don’t believe my paperwork is a termination and they will sell to him since I initiated the sale, found the buyer who is another zee, and simply did a zee to zee transfer. We agreed upon the sales price which I know is a screaming deal for him if he can succeed with it. I put in 3 years worth of effort and had little to show for it and decided my time and money could be put to better use elsewhere.
Bottom line is, I had hoped for better results than I got and part of that is my fault no doubt but to future buyers – John and the gang are excellent at sales. Call franchisees all over the nation and not just a couple of them. I’d call 20 or more. Get some that don’t do well and others that are making it. I was very disappointed in the overall support that we received whether it was local or corporate. And whenever there was a problem it was always my fault because I didn’t “follow the system” exactly… I kind of view it as a really big MLM – there are a few people that make a lot of money but the vast majority barely get by.
Trisha is English your native language? You have a very unique writing style. Some would say less than coherent.
@guest 7777,
What post comment are you speaking of?
-Trisha
Trisha,
Don’t respond to guest7777. These Liberty fools are here from time to time trying to justify why and how Hewitt is so awesome. There used to be a few “tools” from Liberty that used to post here but have since left. Probably they had a their offices taken away. In particular John Seibert, (I think he is in Cleveland) and someone by Testiclepirate, another Liberty fool. Maybe it’s guest777. They will only try and take you off message. They will go away eventually. I have been posting here for over two years, and will continue indefinately until Liberty goes out of business, which I think is coming over the next few seasons. Keep up the posts and continue to tell the truth, NOBODY SHOULD EVER BUY A LIBERTY FRANCHISE!!!
Thanks for the info Liberty z. The franchisees need a new marketing group. AD’s should be required to spend money on advertising in their areas. There is no response to local marketing by the competition, and that’s why it takes so much work to stay afloat.
Ok so if I close my doors are they going to sue me? I want to walk away can they stop that?
Wel actually I was going to sell it to someone who is going to run it as another tax place how can they stop me?
@ Liberty z,
Thank you for the fair post as well.
@Mike,
Thanks!
I understand, but I am giving all commenters courtesy even when I know who they are and they well know what my posts mean as coherent community of long term relationships of the parties mentioned and comparisons of the network.
@Franchise owner
Seriously? How long have your been a franchisee and nobody on this board will tell you how to achieve that as it against your contract and ill-advise is not our goal here. Have you spoken to a franchise attorney? If you need to, feel free to contact me on Facebook for referrals.
DO NOT LET THEM GIVE OR SELL YOU A STORE AND KEEP THE FACTS EXPOSED.
I would like to recall my statement about John holding his grandson up at convention, that was his son. Secrets are not secrets when his mother sued the felon, John Hewitt, for sexual harrassment/misconduct as well and settled. I would like to hear from the other females on the list who became his sexual prey.
All Cindys, Annies, Kathys and Marthas etc. are welcomed and encouraged to contact me.
-Trisha
-Trisha
4 years I owned the store i had to move last year. My store was profitable but I would be so much better without them why can’t I just close down. I am not going to go to a franchise attorney no point they will take all the money I would have saved by cutting out liberty.
@Trisha,
From one of your previous comments……”Jackson Hewitt booted John out and so did HR Block, yet he keeps acting like he sold it. Ok sure, how about some transparency on that any corporate listeners?”
I would love to find out more about this, and I have ‘dug deep’ as you and somebody else suggested, but I can’t uncover anything about how John got the boot rather than left on his own terms. Where do you find this info? My zee/AD wife is currently hobnobbing with her inner circle friends at convention, and I’d love to arm myself with the real truth to throw back at her when she inevitably comes home and tells me, once again, all about the successful people she met and how much money she is going to make in the near future…one that continually seems farther away.
Thanks again for all your efforts to keep us informed with the truth!
At the end of the 1995 filing season, Jackson Hewitt, “battered” by the effect of the tax rule changes, according to CEO John Hewitt, was hanging on by a thread. The firm’s franchisees reportedly had not paid $3.5 million in fees to the company, which soon was nearing default on several loans from NationsBank. During the remainder of the year, 96 offices were closed. There was a management shakeup as well, and the firm began seeking a new CEO, with John Hewitt shifting his focus to long-term strategy from day-to-day operations. In June of 1996 newcomer Keith Alessi, who had most recently served as vice-chairman of supermarket chain Farm Fresh, Inc., was appointed to the top post. Three months later John Hewitt resigned from the company.
After that the Jackson hewitt company opened many more stores at growth John as former CEO could never reach.
“Meanwhile, deposed founder John Hewitt’s startup Liberty Tax Service had grown into the third largest tax preparation chain in the United States, and he soon leased the former headquarters site of Jackson Hewitt in Virginia Beach, Virginia, vowing to beat the company that had spurned him.”
Define spurned.
v. spurned, spurn·ing, spurns
v.tr.
1. To reject disdainfully or contemptuously; scorn. See Synonyms at refuse1.
2. To kick at or tread on disdainfully.
v.intr.
To reject something contemptuously.
n.
1. A contemptuous rejection.
2. Archaic A kick.
-Trisha
@Trisha,
Good stuff, but what is the source?
Never mind…found it. Sorry about that.
I got it you guys hate John. And you spreading rumors etc. For me it is not personal I just want out does any one know how tough it is to break this contract what if they send me all of these legal letters and I just say forget I sold the place they aren’t running it as Liberty go climb a tree. Does anyone know what legal coarse they are likely to pursue? And will it work?
I got it you guys hate John. And you spreading rumors etc. For me it is not personal I just want out does any one know how tough it is to break this contract what if they send me all of these legal letters and I just say forget I sold the place they aren’t running it as Liberty go climb a tree. Does anyone know what legal coarse they are likely to pursue? And will it work? Does anyone know the smartest thing to do?
I got it you guys hate John. And you spreading rumors etc. For me it is not personal I just want out does any one know how tough it is to break this contract what if they send me all of these legal letters and I just say forget I sold the place they aren’t running it as Liberty go climb a tree. Does anyone know what legal coarse they are likely to pursue? And will it work? Does anyone know the smartest thing to do? I do think they stretch the truth but the contract does not. Please somebody through me a bone.
Franchise owner, not sure who is spreading rumors, but if you want out just sign the Termination paper and walk. If you want to stay in the business then open an office outside of your territory, 25 miles away. Do you owe Liberty any money? That is the real issue, if you don’t than you have other options.
Mike –
“Do you owe Liberty any money? That is the real issue, if you don’t than you have other options.”
Can you elaborate? Are you implying there’s a way to legally break the contract, if no debt is owed?
Contact your local state lawyers bar association. You can consult with a lawyer and the first hour will be $20.00. You negotiate the legal fee after that. You can get sound legal advice that will cover review of the contract for less than $1,000.
Guest, you keep asking about the contract. I would want to also be sure about my lease, unless already ending. Bigger problem can be personal guarantees on leases.
Guest,
If you owe them money, they will have that over your head indefinately, when you open up your new tax office across the street from your former Liberty and you do more returns than them because you can charge way less because you don’t have any royalties to pay do you want that over your head?. The question “there’s a way to legally break the contract, if no debt is owed?” Who broke the contract first, you or Liberty? Did they give you the support they promised in the contract? I would get an attorney, and show them what you have, but don’t be a victim any longer. By the activity on this board, it sure looks like the Liberty bubble has popped. REMEMBER TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW ABOUT LIBERTY!!!
To ADMIN, can you tell us (if you know) how many viewers this Liberty site gets on an average day?
Thanks guy advice is very appreciated. So here is the deal I have owned store for 4 years it is profitable. The employees that work there would like to buy the place and not run it as a Liberty but as a mom and pop. I do not owe Liberty any money. I just look around and it I see all of the other franchisees losing everything. I want out I don’t believe in Liberty and I think it is awful what is happening to good people who bought franchisees. Also the lease is for another two years which the potential new owners will want. So if Liberty took over the lease that would break the deal for sure. Can I do this or do they have me up against wall?
@Franchise owner,
You should join a firm that is taking these cases on contingency. I can help past and present investors and victims or future victims with legal contacts. Request my info through admin or on facebook. We cannot give Corporate a heads up on nature and cause until all is ready at the right time. So that is why it is hard to get the info you are looking for. I have been waiting for Liberty to take action against me first. Too bad, not happened yet. I owe them money, they can bring it. In the end, they owe all of us money.
No, the contract is not solid to our advantage, but parts of it are to their advantage.
There are many many in your same shoes at this very moment. Giving poor legal advice can put us in court as defendents so you must understand. I would recommend the largest firm taking these cases as someone you need to talk to and I have their number as they will be willing to speak to you over the phone. If you email admin of this site they will request from me to give out my phone number. We can talk and then keep everyone updated from there of where this falls under.
To answer your question about what are typical suits Liberty is involved in as the Plantiff, you can google many of them and get the entire case at no charge with decisions. It is typical for breach of contract, trademark use and I think not looking at my files, they love intellectual property cases. (costly)
They don’t win them all, and they like to appeal and lose some as well. You will be surprised to see the ones that are for public record available now, you will be even more surprised of new ones not available yet. You can read at least 40 of them today if you look in the right place. Remember all the names they can be filed under, JHT Holdings JHT inc Liberty Tax Service etc… you get the idea.
-Trisha
@guest9,
I knew you would find it, that is why I quoted it. Nice interview among many, eh?
franchise owner 2,
If Liberty has your leases, that breaks those plans, they have secured that location for their purposes…how did they manage that without your agreement?
-Trisha
Liberty does not have my lease it is in my personal name.
Franchise owner,
If you have no intention of doing any tax returns then just walk away. Your landlord can transfer the lease to anyone they want (even your current employees). Liberty will want all the files, (so what give them to them, shuffle them first :) Yes Liberty will be upset, but if YOU are not competing with them, I don’t see what they will come after you for. They have all the clients numbers and addresses and will contact them. Therefore, you should ADVISE your clients in advance to tell them what will happen. I don’t blame you for walking away:)
I would not give them a thing if I knew now what I did not recently. Your furniture and everything in that office but the logo, name and license is YOURS. Don’t give them what you paid for. Everything, YOU paid for and they got client database. They need nothing from you, no donations.
Walking away does not sound bad at all, I have to agree with Mike. Print every report ever made for your records before doing so, EVERY report, past years and present. Even issue tracker case by case number for your protection.
-Trisha
So who is going to stand up at convention tomorrow and ask John to explain why he has a felony?
Who is going to raise their hand and ask if he slept with Martha O’Gorman, Cynthia, Cindy, etc.. and a list of others and why they are all his entertainment like a cult of sister wives?
Who will ask why little John’s mother sued him and settled a sexual harrassment case?
One franchisee boldly told it– what guest would like to raise questions while investigating their interest in this franchise?
-Trisha
@mike,
You know admin cannot tell you that info on traffic, but you can clearly see they are number two for traffic on the top 25 unhappy complaints page of this site (Matco is #1) by comments and traffic.
If John’s investors are smart they will pay a million to buy this site and take all of this down. Otherwise, it is private owned and our place to lay the facts out at this time and under excellent format and management I must compliment.
Hi all,
I have been using Taxwise software but they have gotten a bit pricey, any other recommendations? If so how much and why? Thanks in advance.
I have a friend that uses TRX and she really liked it a lot and only paid $299 for it and she used to use Taxwise. See http://www.trxsoftware.com
Thanks Dodgers! I will check it out.
I have used TAXACT for years. Great. you can get it for $99 for 1040’s if you buy in the off saeson before Oct. check out taxact.com/pro. H&R block tried to buy them last year?? The government blocked the deal. Regular price is $120.