Smart Tax featured in Nashville Business Journal

Smart Tax was recently featured in an article in the Nashville Business Journal entitled, “Smart Tax to enter Nashville tax-prep market.” The article discusses the expansion plans into Nashville and the type of entrepreneurs that they are looking to attract. In addition, Nick shares the impact and creation of jobs that Smart Tax has the ability to make in the market. Click here to view the article in its entirety!

Smart Tax to enter Nashville tax-prep market
By Brian Reisinger

Tax preparers stand to face a new competitor as a New York-based franchisor moves into Nashville with the expectation of creating more than 100 jobs over the next five years.

Nick Rizzi, CEO of Smart Tax, said his company intends to open its first locations by January 2012 for the next tax season. The company targeted Nashville because it believes the area is under served, with many people flowing to big-name providers he plans to compete with.

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Smart Tax featured in The Wall Street Journal

Recently, Smart Tax was featured in an article entitled “Franchisees Make Multiunit Ownership Their Mission." The article discussed the growth of multi-unit expansion and how multi-unit concepts are becoming more common and the ultimate goal for franchisees who purchase them. Yvonne Murray, Smart Tax's multi-unit franchisee cites the work/life balance that owning Smart Tax units gives her as one of the reasons she went into franchising after managing a Smart Tax location for Nick Rizzi, Founder and CEO of Smart Tax. Click here to view the full article, or you can view it below!

Smart Tax featured on BNET.com

Recently, Smart Tax was featured on BNET.com in a column entitled, “The Accidental Franchisor.” Nick Rizzi, CEO of Smart Tax, shares his experience as a small business owner and the route he took to creating Smart Tax. Understanding that the tax industry was a profitable recession-resistant field, Rizzi knew he wanted to get into the industry and initially believed that he would join an established franchise. When the territory in Brooklyn he wanted was sold out, Rizzi decided to bypass the competition and start Smart Tax. Rizzi shares some of the obstacles and challenges that he experienced as a new business owner such as a roof leak, which the landlord refused to fix. After finding success with Smart Tax, Rizzi launched the company as a franchise in 2010, which has grown tremendously to a 27 unit franchise. Click here to view the full article!

The Accidental Franchisor
By Nick Rizzi, Founder and CEO, Smart Tax, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Six years ago I decided that knowing how to do taxes would help me broaden my financial advisory practice. After doing the math, however, I realized that for just three or four months of work, a tax preparer can make more than some financial advisers make in a year. I knew I wanted to get into this business.

It seemed like the easiest way to get started would be to buy into one of the established franchise models, so that I could hit the ground running with minimum startup hassle. The problem was, none of those established companies were looking for more franchisees in my area. So I decided to start Smart Tax from scratch.

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Smart Tax featured on FOX Business

Smart Tax’s CEO and Founder, Nick Rizzi, was interviewed live on FOX Business’ small business segment entitled "Profiting from Taxes.” The segment discussed the growth of the tax preparation industry despite the economic climate and the aggressive growth that Smart Tax has experienced since launching as a franchise less than a year and a half ago. After reaching 27 locations this year, Smart Tax plans to have over 60 franchised locations open for tax season 2012. Rizzi discussed the recession resistant nature of taxes as it is a service that is needed every year. Additionally, he discussed the profitability that Smart Tax offers for its franchisees as consumers are continuously seeking this high-demand service. He also provided some last minute tax tips for consumers to be aware of when filing this season. Click here to view the segment!

Smart Tax featured in Franchise Times

Smart Tax was recently featured with an article in Franchise Times entitled, “Pop Culture—Temporary Stores Offer Trendy Way to Test the Waters.” The article was built from an in-depth interview with Nick Rizzi. Rizzi talks about his experience with "Pop-up" stores, otherwise known as temporary stores. View the full article below, or click here!

Smart Tax featured in Philadelphia Business Journal

Smart Tax was featured today in an article in the Philadelphia Business Journal titled, “Smart Tax fills a need in underserved neighborhoods” where Nick Rizzi, Founder and CEO of Smart Tax discussed his process of putting the company together, its entrance into the Philadelphia market and future expansion plans. In addition, Jeffery Travis discussed his new opening of Smart Tax in West Philadelphia and why he decided to join the Smart Tax brand. Click here to read more!

Smart Tax fills a need in underserved neighborhoods
BY Jeff Blumenthal

Jeffrey Travis has been preparing tax returns for more than 13 years in a family business he has run with his wife and children called J. Travis & Associates. But when business began to slip, he looked into the idea of joining a franchise.

This year, Travis’s West Philadelphia business became a franchisee for the fast-growing Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Smart Tax Preparation Services, which has entered the Philadelphia marketplace with three local sites this year.

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Smart Tax featured in Brooklyn Business Trends

Recently, Smart Tax was featured in the Brooklyn Business Trends entitled, “Nick’s ‘Smart’ Franchise.” The article was built from interviews with Nick Rizzi and Yvonne Murray, discussing the growth of the Smart Tax since it started franchising in the fall of 2009. View the article below!

Smart Tax featured in the Red Hook Star-Revue

Recently, Smart Tax was featured in the Red Hook Star-Revue in an article entitled, “It’s Not Too Early to Start Working on Your Taxes.” As we are in the midst of tax season, Nick Rizzi, CEO and Founder of Smart Tax provides tips for getting one's taxes done this year and also discusses the growth that Smart Tax has experienced since first opening. After launching as a franchise in 2009 with 10 locations, the brand now has 27 offices throughout the Northeast. Rizzi discusses that while many people can do their taxes on their own, it can be very beneficial to having someone prepare them for you, as many credits can be easily overlooked and preparers such as at Smart Tax are trained to find these credits and make sure that you receive the most money back possible. Additionally, the deadline for filing taxes this year has been extended to April 18th and Rizzi also advices to keep strong records yearlong to ensure the most tax credits.

Smart Tax Featured in Red Hook Star-Revue

Smart Tax featured in Crain's New York Business

Smart Tax’s Queens franchisee, Jorge Quintana, was recently featured in Crain’s New York Business in an article about veterans who later became business owners. The article states that, “one in seven veterans is self-employed or owns a small business, and that vets are 50% more likely than the rest of the work force to become entrepreneurs.” The story discusses Jorge’s entrepreneur story and diligent work ethic, which has helped him succeed as a business owner. As a veteran, Jorge was able to take advantage of the incentives from VetFran, as Smart Tax is a member of the organization, which allowed him to receive a 25% discount on the franchise fee. Jorge shares his expected growth this year during tax season and his “can-do” attitude which he attributes to being in the Marine Corps. Click here to view the full text!

Veterans' grit gives startups muscle: Ex-military personnel prove well-suited to new firms' risks, rigors.
By Diane Hess

Jorege Quintana, 32, just took advantage of a 25% discount from VetFran—an International Franchise Association initiative that introduces vets to franchise opportunities—to buy a Smart Tax store in Queensbridge, Queens, for $40,000. Mr.
Quintana expects $80,000 in sales this year.

After he got the keys to his shop in December, Mr. Quintana turned to a handful of buddies to help him gut the store and complete a renovation in two weeks. He credits his can-do attitude to his four years as a diesel-engine mechanic in the Marine Corps. His team once had to fix 379 vehicles and 129 trailers in two months to meet inspection standards.

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Smart Tax featured in Brooklyn Business Trends

Smart Tax was recently featured in an article in Brooklyn Business Trends called, “Nick’s Smart Franchise,” where Nick Rizzi, Founder and CEO of Smart Tax discussed his process of putting the company together. Realizing the potential of the tax industry, Nick looked for franchise opportunities with Liberty Tax and Jackson-Hewitt however all of the markets were sold out…leading to the inception of Smart Tax franchise. After the first two years, Nick’s colleagues wanted to get involved and the brand started franchising in November of 2009 and opened with nine locations. Just one year later, the brand has 27 open locations and 46-territories sold in all five boroughs, North and South Jersey, Philadelphia and South Carolina. Click here for the full story.

Nick’s ‘Smart’ Franchise
By Tim Ronaldson

Nick Rizzi is a walking, talking advertisement for public transportation marketing.

No, he’s not a salesman and he doesn’t work for the city’s Transit Authority.

But an advertisement on the side of a bus did serve as a catalyst – at least in part – for Rizzi starting his own business, Smart Tax, that in six years went from a one-location operation to a 29-location franchise. The advertisement wasn’t awe-inspiring, and it wasn’t sexy. It simply beckoned, “learn how to prepare income taxes.”

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Smart Tax Featured in the San Antonio Business Journal

Smart Tax was recently featured in the San Antonio Business Journal in an article called “Alamo City earning reputation as a good market for franchises,” which discusses Smart Tax’s expansion plans for the San Antonio market. Smart Tax’s low investment cost and recession-friendly industry makes it the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs in San Antonio to franchise in today’s economy.

Smart Tax Breaks Down Barriers to Business Ownership

Smart Tax Breaks Down Barriers to Business Ownership

While many businesses are buckling down due to the rocky economic climate, Smart Tax, a newly launched tax preparation franchise, is offering two new programs to assist driven entrepreneurs become business owners and grow: in-house financing and free conversions for the Smart Tax brand to qualifying business owners. Smart Tax has led the industry in innovative approaches to growth and has tripled from 10 locations at the start of the 2010 tax season to 29 franchise locations operating in 2011. With 45 territories already sold throughout New York, New Jersey and down the eastern seaboard, Smart Tax is counting on these initiatives to keep its growth rate high and steady.

“I have found that there is no shortage of entrepreneurial-minded individuals despite the recession,” said Smart Tax CEO and founder Nick Rizzi. “We’re working to help those individuals break into the industry or bolster their existing companies with the strength of a franchised system.”

The in-house financing program allows any existing franchisee to finance the franchise fee and up to $20,000 of build out costs through Smart Tax via an interest-free loan. In an economy in which many entrepreneurs are struggling to get small business loans or forced to make down payments as high as 30 percent of a loans total value, this move will greatly facilitate entrepreneurs seeking to expand their business.

“In-house financing is something we’ve been planning for a long time,” said Rizzi. “If someone has proven that they’re serious about the business and has what it takes to be successful, we want to remove any barriers that may prevent them from taking their business to the next level.”

Many of Smart Tax’s existing franchisees were able to take advantage of this initiative and open a second location for 2011 tax season, when they would otherwise have been unable to secure the financing for this continued growth. New franchisees can also receive up to $10,000 in financing towards their franchise fee.

Smart Tax’s other initiative allows independent tax preparation business owners who file at least 250 returns a year to completely waive the franchise fee and convert directly to a Smart Tax franchise. Conversions are a growing trend in the franchising industry and allow entrepreneurs who may be struggling to grow their business to take advantage of an established brand name, national marketing programs and the support of a proven infrastructure. Additional territories are also available with no franchise fee based on the number of returns a service files yearly.

“There are many business owners who have spent years developing their business and building personal relationships with their clients but end up hitting a plateau due to any number of factors,” said Joseph Fontana, Smart Tax’s Vice President of Franchising, who has assisted two of Smart Tax’s new franchisees convert their existing business into Smart Tax. “We’re offering those entrepreneurs the opportunity to take their business to the next level under the Smart Tax brand name.”

The barrier-breaking initiatives are two of the latest innovations from a brand already on the cutting edge of the tax preparation industry. Smart Tax also offers a variety of highly-flexible build outs, allowing entrepreneurs the possibility of opening a location in downtown spaces, strip malls and even kiosks in wholesale retailers.

“We’re always looking for new ways to help entrepreneurs who are passionate about our industry in addition to offering the highest quality service to our clients,” said Rizzi. “With these initiatives, we’re looking forward to another strong year of tremendous growth.”

Smart Tax featured on AllBusiness.com

Smart Tax was featured in the online national business news magazine AllBusiness.com in an article entitled “The Pros and Cons of Owning a Part-Time Franchise." In this article, franchisee Yvonne Murray talks about how part-time franchising with Smart Tax allows her to work only during the four month tax season, during which she puts in 12 hour days. This allows her 7-8 months off during the year, which makes for a pretty great vacation policy and should definitely attract some entrepreneurs looking for a similar setup. Allbusiness.com reaches a wide audience of entrepreneurial people and this article is a great way to spread the word about Smart Tax as a great opportunity for potential business owners interested in franchising part-time—it should definitely generate some quality leads! Click here to read the article in its entirety!

The Pros and Cons of Owning a Part-Time Franchise
by Sara Wilson

Franchise ownership is a goal shared by many; however, successfully transitioning from working a full-time job to running a full-time franchise may seem dauntingly difficult. The bills still need to get paid, the children still need to eat, the risk might be too great. However, there is another option that makes franchise ownership more attainable: going part time. And, better yet, it’s an option offered in franchise categories ranging from hair cutting to interior decorating to fitness.

So what’s the catch? (Or is there one?) Here are some of the pros and cons that come with becoming a part-time franchisee:

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Smart Tax Honors Unsung Heroes in the Community; Offers Free Tax Returns for Firefighters

To Support Firefighters through the Recession, Smart Tax Franchise offers free Tax Returns for Full Week

While many businesses are buckling down due to the rocky economic climate, Smart Tax, a newly-launched tax preparation franchise, is continuously finding new ways to engage with and give back to the local community. Smart Tax has led the industry in innovative approaches to connecting personally with each community it enters, which has allowed them to triple in size from 10 locations at the start of the 2010 tax season to 29 franchise locations operating in 2011. To celebrate a group of individuals that is very meaningful to the brand, Smart Tax is hosting a free tax week for firefighters.

“We are always trying to find ways to create close ties with our communities and provide an experience that is quicker and better than our competition,” said Nick Rizzi, CEO and Founder of Smart Tax. “Our free tax week for firefighters will be one more way we are connecting with our new and existing customers personally and a way to say thank you to those who serve our community.”

The free tax week will be offered from Friday, February 25th to Friday, March 4th at each of Smart Tax’s participating locations. Any volunteer and full-time firefighters can visit for free tax preparation service.

Elmhurst Smart Tax Franchisee Joe Fontana is also a volunteer firefighter and this offering is especially significant for him. He is passionate about supporting his fellow firefighters and is proud to be able to offer this opportunity with the support of the entire Smart Tax system. As firefighters are often known for swapping patches in the fire station, Fontana is continuing this tradition with his tax preparation franchise.

“The catch is, I need your patch,” said Joe Fontana, Smart Tax franchisee and Vice President of Franchise Development who will be trading free taxes for firefighter patches at his Elmhurst Smart Tax office. “We are offering a very significant service to a group of individuals who I am proud to call my brothers. I am very appreciative of the how the Smart Tax family is supporting me with free tax week.”

For more information on participating Smart Tax locations and details on receiving free taxes as a firefighter, please visit www.thesmartwaytofile.com or our Facebook Fan Page.

Smart Tax featured in the Queens Tribune

Smart Tax was just featured in the Queens Tribune in an article about Smart Tax’s week of free taxes for a very deserving group on individuals. To honor the true heroes in our community, Smart Tax is offering volunteer and full-time Fire Fighters FREE taxes for one full week at participating locations. To give back to a group who protects the members of the communities of Queens and all over New York, the brand wanted to do its part and support this group of community members. Elmhurst Smart Tax Franchisee, Joe Fontana is also a volunteer Fire Fighter and this offering is especially meaningful for him. He is passionate about supporting his fellow Fire Fighters and the entire Smart Tax franchise is supporting him as well. You can view the full article by clicking here! Scroll down to page three to see the article on Smart Tax.

Smart Tax at Queens Center Mall Is Offering Free Tax Returns For Volunteer And Full-Time Fire Fighters For 1 Full Week

Queens business owner and volunteer fire fighter, Joe Fontana, is launching a new initiative for the Smart Tax brand. Smart Tax will be offering free tax returns for volunteer and full-time fire fighters for 1 full week. As true hero’s in the community, Fontana and the Smart Tax family feel that this group of devoted community members should be honored and rewarded for their efforts. Beginning this Friday, February 25th, to Friday, March 4th any fire fighter can come into the Smart Tax office in Elmhurst (Queens Center Mall) and other participating locations for free tax returns.

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Smart Tax featured in Franchise Times Magazine

Jorge Quintana, the franchisee featured in the Franchise Times
article, at work in his Queensbridge Smart Tax Location

Smart Tax featured in Life Insurance Selling

Recently, Smart Tax was featured in the magazine Life Insurance Selling, which focuses on trends in the financial and insurance industries. Smart Tax’s Vice President of Franchise Development and Queens Franchisee, Joseph Fontana, wrote an article for the publication about his experiences in expanding his portfolio and adding taxes. As a long-time financial planner and insurance broker, Fontana most recently became a tax preparation business owner as well, which has allowed him to offer a whole new service to his clients. Finding that taxes, unlike some other financial services, were recession-proof, Fontana has found a profitable business model to service his clients and create a stronger, trusting relationship with his clients. In the article, Fontana shares his experience and offers advice to other insurance brokers looking to make the leap into tax preparation. Click here to view the full article!

Breaking Into Tax Preparation
By JOSEPH FONTANA

I was a financial advisor for 17 years, working with my clients to provide a wide range of services including life insurance, accident insurance, health insurance as well as mutual funds, stocks and bonds. At the time, I was working at a bank in Brooklyn, where I provided services to my clients through this channel.

Throughout my life, I always dreamed of owning my own business and servicing my clients with a more personal and customized relationship. In light of the prolonged economic crisis, specifically following 9/11, and the changes our industry was going through, I saw my career coming to an inevitable end. Interest rates were increasing, and people were not investing. Even right now, there are trillions of dollars sitting in the money market that people are not investing.

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Smart Tax featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

Recently, Smart Tax was featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press in an article entitled "Chattanooga franchises let entrepreneurs focus on business operations." The article is about launching a business in the current economic climate and why franchising is often an attractive method for business ownership. In the article, Nick Rizzi, CEO of Smart Tax, discusses the tremendous growth potential for Smart Tax in the Chattanooga market and the ability to run a profitable tax preparation business. Rizzi discusses the low cost of entrance for opening a Smart Tax in which the business can be up and running for as low as $20,000. This low start up cost has allowed Smart Tax to expand incredibly fast, tripling in size over the past year despite the economic climate. Click here to view the article in its entirety.

Chattanooga franchises let entrepreneurs focus on business operations
By ELLIS SMITH
February 2, 2011

Starting a small business is risky.

With one bad decision, an entrepreneur could watch his entire savings go down the tubes in a matter of days.

Only 50 percent of small businesses survive more than five years, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, a statistic that has some potential business owners searching for safer alternatives.

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Smart Tax featured in The Bergen Record

Smart Tax was recently featured in The Bergen Record about its development plans in the North Jersey region, and its new openings in Lodi and Kearney. The article discusses the Smart Tax brand and how it is a low-cost investment business opportunity, as well as the company's new presence in the region. Despite the economic climate, Smart Tax has tripled in size and is continuing to grow with driven entrepreneurs who are able to take advantage of the low start-up costs and tremendous growth potential that Smart Tax provides. Click here to view the article in its entirety!

New tax preparation chain sees potential for many returns in North Jersey
By JOAN VERDON

A new tax preparation company has targeted North Jersey as a potential growth market, with locations in downtowns and in a discount store in Lodi.

Smart Tax, a four-year-old company with 29 locations and big expansion plans, opened this month in Kearny and inside the National Wholesale Liquidators store in Lodi. The Brooklyn-based chain is hoping to create a niche as the lower-priced alternative to tax preparation giants H&R Block and Parsippany-based Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, both for taxpayers and potential franchisees.

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Smart Tax featured in NFIB

Smart Tax was recently featured in NFIB in an article entitled “7 Tax Deductions that Small Businesses Often Overlook.” This article was built from an in-depth interview with Nick Rizzi as an expert on the topic. Click here for the entire article.

"7 Tax Deductions that Small Businesses Ofter Overlook"

Not many small businesses have a dedicated CPA on board, making it easier to miss deductions that could lower their tax burden. “When people think of deductions they usually think of inventory, payroll, office supplies, rent and utilities,” says Nick Rizzi, CEO of Smart Tax, a Brooklyn, N.Y., tax preparation company. “What they don’t think of are the smaller things.”

This year, be sure to take advantage of all the tax breaks the law provides, starting with these seven areas:

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