Tax giant H&R Block is making new franchise opportunities available nationwide.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -Through its subsidiary, Express Tax Service, Inc., H&R Block is offering franchisees the flexibility of operating a free-standing tax preparation service or expanding an existing business by adding tax preparation under the EXPRESSTAX® brand. With the backing of H&R Block, the country's largest tax preparation firm, Express Tax is able to offer franchisees support that includes low start-up costs, marketing, software, training and proprietary refund settlement products.
For entrepreneurs wanting to operate a free-standing tax business the EXPRESSTAX® franchise fee is $2,500. Overall startup costs may be as low as $15,500, which is significantly less than competitors. And protected territories are available for those who qualify to operate a free-standing location.
Franchisees can also co-locate EXPRESSTAX® alongside an existing business. The initial franchise fee for co-locating is just $1,500, compared with substantially higher fees charged by other franchise-based tax services businesses.
With either the free-standing or co-located arrangement, having the support of H&R Block means franchisees can take advantage not only of the low initial franchise fee, but also Block's corporate rates when purchasing furniture and equipment. H&R Block also provides EXPRESSTAX® franchisees with access to its extensive industry experience.
"In addition to startup offices, we have a very active campaign right now to convert independent tax firms to EXPRESSTAX® franchisees with significant operational and financial incentives," said Doug Salaway, H&R Block assistant vice president for Acquisitions and Development and Express Tax General Manager. "Over the last year, more than 30 individuals operating independent tax businesses have taken advantage of the opportunity and converted to EXPRESSTAX®. Those who have joined EXPRESSTAX® include multi-office operators in major metros to single-office operators in smaller cities."
"We expect this unique franchising opportunity to be very popular, as it has been over the last year," says Ken Treat, H&R Block's senior vice president for Franchise Operations. "We opened over 200 new offices this past year. People are attracted to this rapidly expanding brand that's generating recognition in the marketplace. EXPRESSTAX® is backed by the foremost tax services company, and these people can tap into our industry-leading training, expertise and 50-plus years of franchising experience. A franchisee cannot do better in terms of a cost-effective option that comes with the depth of long-term commitment that H&R Block can offer."
About H&R Block
H&R Block Inc. is the world's preeminent tax services provider, having served more than 400 million clients since 1955 and generating annual revenues of $4.4 billion in fiscal year 2008. H&R Block provides income tax return preparation and related services and products via a nationwide network of approximately 13,000 company-owned and franchised offices and through TaxCut® online and software solutions. The company also provides business services through RSM McGladrey and certain consumer financial services.
