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 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.

(Read More)

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.”

(Read More)

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 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 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.

(Read More)

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.

(Read More)

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.

(Read More)

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:

(Read More)

Smart Tax featured in Lawn and Landscape Magazine

Smart Tax was featured in Lawn & Landscape Magazine discussing on what small businesses should consider and look out for to keep money in their pockets. Nick Rizzi discussed what things small business owners can easily overlook and slip through the cracks, and points out specific things to keep in mind during tax season. A portion of the article is included below and can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

7 Tax Deductions That Small Businesses Often 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,” said 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:

1. Mileage. Be sure you’re deducting trips to meet with clients, run work-related errands and attend meetings and networking events, particularly with personal vehicles. Rizzi cautioned that you’ll need to log the date, destination, and start and end mileage for each trip.

2. Asset deductions. Section 179 of the IRS Code allows small businesses to take a depreciation deduction for certain capital expenditures in one year, rather than depreciating them over a longer period of time. If you’ve been hit hard by the recession, that could allow you to keep a bigger chunk of money in the short run.

3. Specialty items. If you own a building, you may be entitled to state and federal tax savings for building improvements, like adding special wiring or a soundproof room. Certain assets related to such projects qualify for accelerated depreciation, meaning you can take larger tax deductions over a shorter period – increasing your cash flow and lowering the cost of capital in the years following the project. For IRS purposes, be sure to have an engineer or architect conduct a cost segregation study, Rizzi said.

(Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Jorge Quintana, Owner of Smart Tax Queensbridge

Opening Date: January 3, 2010
Location: Queensbridge

Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I was born in Peru and moved to New York when I was four years old.

Q: Before Franchising, what were you involved with?
A: Before I partnered with Smart Tax, I served in the Marine Corps for four years and was released with an honorable discharge. Initially upon returning to New York, I started working with my two sisters in a family owned and operated business. After working with them for a short while, I was inspired to take the H&R Block class to start learning more about the tax preparation industry. With continued urging from my sisters to go back to school and further my education I decided to return to school to pursue my CPA license in addition to the class I was taking. Currently, I am still working on getting my degree in accounting, as well as working with Smart Tax to help the brand evolve. I am looking forward to opening my first location and I hope to one day open multiple locations of my own throughout the area.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: I learned about the brand first hand from Nick Rizzi. About a year after meeting Nick in the H&R Block class, he called me and asked for some advice on getting a business up and running in the tax industry. After meeting Nick and looking at the business plans and DMA of the neighborhoods he was scouting out, I realized that Nick had a genius idea and agreed to help with opening the first location in Redhook in 2006. After seeing the successful business model that Nick Rizzi had created in the first few years and getting the franchising aspects up and running, I decided that I wanted to open a location of my own, realizing the growth potential of the brand.

Q: How do you see the brand connecting with your local community?
A: From day one, Smart Tax has tried to find every way possible to connect with the residents of each community we enter. In 2006, Nick said that he wanted to give something to every customer that came through the door… and we still strive to connect in that way with each customer. However, what we give back has evolved as we have established a name for ourselves. With my new location in Queens, I want to sponsor some of the little league baseball programs in the area and the youth rugby league, a non-profit organization that is helping to introduce rugby into the United States at the youth level.

Q: What are your future goals? Development plans?
A: The most immediate goal that I have set for myself is to have 1000 tax returns filed at my Queensbridge location during my second year in business. As for development plans, I plan on opening at least two more locations in Bay Ridge, which has a different clientele than the existing Smart Tax locations. I plan to connect strongly with the business community in the region, who I have already built strong relationships with over the years.

Smart Tax Featured in Accounting Today

Smart Tax was recently featured in a great article in Accounting Today entitled, “Tax Registration Regime Takes Shape.” The article delves into the recent laws the IRS has implemented and how this will affect the tax preparation industry as a whole. Some of these new regulations on the industry include continuing education, more testing, identification numbers and fees. Many industry experts discuss the pros and cons of the new laws and how to prepare for tax season 2011. Nick Rizzi offers his opinion on how the new regulations are actually a good thing for the industry as a whole and how Smart Tax is already prepared for the new changes. By continuing to adapt to the economy and new government regulations, Smart Tax is able to support the franchisees in its system and make a smoother transition for independent preparers looking to partner with an established franchise. See Nick Rizzi's comments on the new laws below and the article can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.

Tax registration regime takes shape
The IRS moves rapidly to clarify the requirements, fees, CPE rules, and expectations
By Roger Russell

For Nick Rizzi, chief executive of tax preparation franchisor Smart Tax, the new process is a good thing. "In the areas in which we operate, you have one office that follows all the rules, and we try to be that guy," he said. "Then you have four or five people that do returns in the back of a travel agency or money transfer store. It's usually a 19-year-old girl with a laptop and a copy of some software. So we're all for the new rules because we've been following IRS standards all along."

(Read More)

New IRS Laws Spike Independent Conversions to Larger Systems

If you are in the tax preparation industry, there are many new laws implemented by the IRS this year, which will affect the way you do business. Starting mid-September, the IRS will be implementing stricter laws on tax preparers across the country which will include continuing education requirements on preparers, passing a series of tests to renew licenses through the IRS. These laws are being implemented to increase the qualification of preparers across the country. Included in these new laws is a mandatory registration for independent tax preparers where all paid tax preparers must register for a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) which is set to begin mid-month. This is one more law to further monitor the industry and increase the quality of service.

Resulting from the newly founded laws, a trend is emerging in the tax preparation field. Many independent preparers are converting to larger tax preparation firms, with systems already in place to help support new laws and initiatives. Independents recognize that larger, established systems will provide the services, bank relationships, and handle mandatory deadlines for the entire system to ensure that the business as a whole is prepared for these changes.

With 80% of Americans using a tax preparation service and with new, stricter IRS regulations, the tax industry as a whole will need to adapt and many small tax preparers unable to make these required changes will be eliminated in result.

With all of these new boundaries in place for tax season 2011, the tax preparation industry needs to be more organized than ever before. Smart Tax franchise has transitioned to prepare themselves for the upcoming tax season and welcomes independents into its system; offering preparers who file over 250 files per year a free conversion into a Smart Tax franchise.

For more questions, please refer to the IRS Laws online at: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=217781,00.html\

Economic Times Call for Innovative Measures; Smart Tax Offers Free Franchise to Existing Franchisees

To Adapt to Economy, Smart Tax Sparks Growth by Eliminating Franchise Fee for Current Franchisees

BROOKLYN, NY – While many businesses have slowed growth due to the rocky economic climate, Smart Tax franchise, a newly launched 10-unit tax preparation concept, is just starting to speed up. In an effort to adapt to the economic climate and spark growth within the Smart Tax system, Smart Tax has eliminated the franchise fee for existing franchisees signing a franchise agreement in 2010, allowing Smart Tax franchisees to continue developing the brand despite the economic climate and mature their franchise portfolios in multi-unit ownership.

“Despite being launched in the rocky economic climate, Smart Tax has continued to grow due to the dedication and passion of the franchisees in the Smart Tax system,” said Steve Beagelman, senior franchise advisor to Smart Tax and Founder of SMB Franchise Advisors, a franchise consultancy firm. “To reward its franchisees and strengthen its systems further, Smart Tax has decided to eliminate the franchise fee to spark growth with existing franchisees who have already found success in its system and desire multi-unit ownership.”

The current economy has been labeled one of the worst in centuries and the franchising industry as a whole has seen a decline in development. As a way to reduce barriers of entry and continue growing, Smart Tax CEO Nick Rizzi has eliminated the franchise fee for franchisees already involved in the system to allow these entrepreneurs to take advantage of the prime real estate market.

This program has allowed Smart Tax franchisees to bypass the financial crisis and continue building the brand throughout the U.S. More than 80 percent of the franchisees are taking advantage of this initiative, allowing Smart Tax to open up five new locations in Texas, New Jersey, and New York.

“I saw this as an opportunity to strengthen my franchise portfolio by adding a new location,” said Mike Leibowiz, Smart Tax’s first franchisee and owner of three Smart Tax locations in Staten Island and Bayonne, NJ. “From the moment I made the decision, Nick Rizzi and I have been scouting out new real estate and planning my expansion strategy to further build the brand in the area and increase the impact of localized marketing efforts.”

Brooklyn franchisee Yvonne Murray agrees. The franchise fee elimination together with the success of her Brooklyn franchise has inspired Murray to sign on for her second Smart Tax location in Brownsville, NY, which will open for tax season 2011. The financial liberty has also allowed her to focus on what she considers the most important aspect of running a good business: community involvement. She has funded summer programs and other charitable initiatives, and even been able to start a Smart Tax Little League organization.

“It’s all about community,” Murray says. “A thriving business has a responsibility to give back. Smart Tax understands this and has allowed me to do a lot of really great things for the neighborhood I love so much. It doesn’t get much better than this.”

Smart Tax Featured in New Mexico Business Weekly

Smart Tax was recently featured in an article in the New Mexico Business Weekly entitled, “IRS Aims to Squelch Tax Prep Incompetence.” The article was built from an in-depth interview with Nick Rizzi and delves into the trend emerging where the IRS is becoming stricter in enforcing rules and regulations on tax preparers and also discusses Smart Tax’s growth plans throughout New Mexico. A portion of the story is shared below, and you can view the full article here.

IRS aims to squelch tax prep incompetence
by Dennis Domrzalski

As the Internal Revenue Service prepares to crack down on tax preparers, some see it as an effort to drive small practitioners out of business.

But others, like Nick Rizzi, CEO of Smart Tax, see it as an opportunity. Rizzi’s franchise company says it plans to open 15 offices in the Albuquerque area by the 2012 tax season.

“Everybody needs to do taxes, and we have found it to be a good business to be in,” says Rizzi from his New York City office. “Albuquerque is a prime hub for expansion and development because the market is largely underserved."

With 80 percent of Americans using a tax preparation service and with new, stricter IRS regulations, the tax industry as a whole will need to adapt, and many small tax preparers in the Albuquerque market will be eliminated. (Read More)

Smart Tax Featured in New Haven Register

Smart Tax was recently featured in an article in the New Haven Register entitled, “Website, Tax Firm Eye Area for Expansion.” The article was built from an in-depth interview with Nick Rizzi and discusses Smart Tax’s expansion strategy throughout the region to open 15 locations over the next 2 years. The story delves into Nick Rizzi’s entrepreneur story and also provides a link to the website to point entrepreneurs in the right direction. A portion of the story is shared below, and you can the full article here.

Website, tax firm eye area for expansion
By Angela Carter

Owners of a new tax preparation franchise, and a website where companies sell excess inventory, are eyeing the New Haven area for expansion.

Nick Rizzi, chief executive officer of Smart Tax of Brooklyn, N.Y., said he is looking for franchisees to open 15 locations across New Haven, East Haven, North Haven, West Haven and Hamden by the 2012 tax season.

“There are pockets in those areas that are just screaming they need help,” he said. “I see a lot of potential here. If I had the wherewithal, I would do it myself.”

Rizzi initially approached other tax franchises, but none of them had territories available in areas he wanted. “I decided to go it alone,” the former financial planner said.

Franchisees and tax preparers working with them will need to be certified and take continuing education courses, under new rules being implemented by the Internal Revenue Service.

Smart Tax has 10 offices in New York, New Jersey and Texas; Rizzi also plans to expand into Pennsylvania.

The franchise fee is $20,000, half of which is due at closing, and the remainder would be due after a franchisee’s first tax season. For more information on becoming a franchisee, visit www.thesmartwaytofile.com.

To read the rest of the article from the New Haven Register, please click here.

Smart Tax Featured in Houston Business Journal

Smart Tax was recently featured in an article in the Houston Business Journal entitled, “IRS Rule Proposals Stimulate Smart Tax Preparations.” The article was built from a new phone interview with Nick Rizzi, CEO and Founder of Smart Tax combined with a previous phone interview done by the Casey Wooten with Nick Rizzi and Megan Savitsky, Smart Tax’s Houston franchisee. The interview delves into the expansion plans of Smart Tax in the Houston area, calling for more locations because of the recent IRS rule changes and lowered barriers of entry into franchising, which is providing a tremendous opportunity for mass development in the Houston market. Below is a sample of the article along with a link to the article in its entirety.

IRS rule proposals stimulate Smart Tax preparations
by Casey Wooten Reporter

After establishing a toehold in Houston last year, Smart Tax is counting on IRS rule changes to expand the tax preparation firm’s footprint.

New York-based Smart Tax set up shop with a franchise in the Northshore area in November 2009.

Nick Rizzi, founder and CEO, now plans to roll out as many as 50 area locations during the next five years.

“When I look at Houston I see a prime area for a franchise situation like ours,” says Rizzi.

(Read More)