Liberty Tax Service Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
Liberty Tax Service offers professional tax preparation services, helping individuals and businesses maximize their tax refunds and ensure compliance with tax laws.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
1813
+
-15%
-15%
Franchise fee
?
$15,000
Investment
?
$42,000 - $61,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$132,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
$xxx,xxx
Liberty Tax is a leading tax preparation franchise founded in 1997 by John Hewitt. It originated from the acquisition of a Canadian tax franchisor, U&R Tax Depot, and rebranded as Liberty Tax Service in 1998.
The company is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and began franchising the same year. Today, Liberty Tax operates over 2,200 locations across the United States and Canada, making it one of the largest tax preparation networks in North America.
Liberty Tax offers a broad range of services, including personal and small business tax preparation, bookkeeping, tax debt resolution, and credit repair. Unlike seasonal competitors, Liberty Tax promotes a year-round business model.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Liberty Tax Service franchise is $42,000 - $61,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$15,000 – $15,000
Initial Advertising
$5,000 – $5,000
Travel and Living Expenses While Training
$1,000 – $2,500
Equipment & Furniture
$7,500 – $15,000
Signs
$2,500 – $5,000
Rent
$3,000 – $6,000
Payroll
$5,000 – $7,000
Insurance
$200 – $400
Additional Funds – 3 months
$3,000 – $4,500
Total for a Single Franchise Agreement
$42,200 – $61,400
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$15,000 – $15,000
Initial Advertising
$5,000 – $5,000
Travel and Living Expenses While Training
$1,000 – $2,500
Equipment & Furniture
$7,500 – $15,000
Signs
$2,500 – $5,000
Rent
$3,000 – $6,000
Payroll
$5,000 – $7,000
Insurance
$200 – $400
Additional Funds – 3 months
$3,000 – $4,500
Total for a Single Franchise Agreement
$42,200 – $61,400
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Liberty Tax Service's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Liberty Tax Service had 1885 total units in 2024, of which 1813 were franchised-owned and 72 company-owned.
Liberty Tax provides a structured set of training programs to support its franchisees in successfully operating their tax preparation businesses. The franchisor offers both initial and ongoing training opportunities to ensure consistent performance and compliance with its systems and standards.
Initial Training Program: This includes a comprehensive training program for franchisees covering Liberty Tax's operations, tax preparation software, customer service, and compliance standards. The training is designed to prepare new franchisees to manage and operate a Liberty Tax office effectively.
Operations Manual Training: Franchisees are required to adhere to detailed operational procedures as outlined in Liberty Tax's Operations Manual. The franchisor provides training on how to implement and maintain these procedures, including site operations, advertising compliance, and use of proprietary marks.
Software and Technology Training: Franchisees must use Liberty Tax’s designated tax preparation software and systems. Training is provided on how to use this software, including electronic filing and integration with financial products.
Territory Protection
Liberty Tax grants limited territorial protection to its franchisees. Under the franchise agreement, franchisees are typically assigned a defined territory within which they are expected to operate their business.
However, the franchisor may retain the right to operate or license others to operate under certain conditions, even within the franchisee’s assigned area. This means while Liberty Tax does offer a designated area for each franchisee, this protection is not absolute.
The franchisor may still market and sell services through alternative channels such as online platforms or mobile tax services. It’s essential for franchisees to review the specific territory provisions in their agreement to fully understand the extent and limits of their territorial rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the royalty fee?
The royalty fee for a Liberty Tax Service franchise is 9% - 14%. In addition, you would have to pay the advertising (or national brand fund) fee of 2% - 5%.
What is the total investment?
The initial investment required for a Liberty Tax Service franchise is $42,000 - $61,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
What is the initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee for a Liberty Tax Service franchise is $15,000. This is typically paid upfront as part of the total initial investment, after signature of the Franchise Agreeement.