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 recently featured in the NJBIZ

Tax preparation franchise aims for major N.J. expansion
By Beth Fitzgerald

Smart Tax, a New York-based tax preparation franchise with locations in Bayonne and Asbury Park, aims to have 20 New Jersey offices open by 2012, according to founder Nick Rizzi.

Rizzi, who worked as a financial planner for 16 years, launched Smart Tax in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 2005, began franchising in late 2009 and now has 10 locations in New York, New Jersey and Texas.

Smart Tax attracts franchisees who were downsized from the financial services industry, have worked as bookkeepers or financial planners, or are semiretired and want to work several months a year during tax season, Rizzi said.

“New Jersey is a great spot for this franchise, because everyone needs to get their taxes done, they need direction, and I hope we will help them do their taxes,” Rizzi said. (Read More)

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)

Smart Tax Featured in South Florida Business Journal

Smart Tax was recently featured in an article in the South Florida Business Journal entitled “Franchises Hot on South Florida.” The article was built from an in depth interview with Nick Rizzi about the Smart Tax franchise and its plans for development in South Florida, specifically Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. The article also talks about the greatest perk of tax preparation: taking 8 months off! Below is a thumbnail to the article -- clicking on the thumbnail will take you to the article in its entirety.

(READ FULL ARTICLE HERE)

Smart Tax Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine

Smart Tax was recently featured in a great article in the May 2010 Issue of Entrepreneur Magazine entitled, “How to Negotiate a Lease.” Nick Rizzi is featured as an entrepreneur discussing ways to negotiate a lease and also to scout out real estate locations. Rizzi uses real life examples of how he selects retail space and judges to attractiveness of his locations. He also uses his own experience when he first opened his first Smart Tax location and his landlord was not liable for a leak in the ceiling, which is where he learned to carefully read the lease contracts. Below is a thumbnail of the cover of the issue, along with a link to the article in its entirety.

(click image for full article)

Smart Tax Featured in Jewish Exponent

Smart Tax was recently featured in an article in the Jewish Exponent entitled, “Home is Where the … Tax Credit Is?” The article was built from an interview with Nick Rizzi and Steve Beagelman discussing the current state of the housing market in Philadelphia and how the new tax credit initiatives will affect the housing market. Steve and Nick were both used as expert sources on the topic. Below is a sample of the article along with a link to the article in its entirety.

Home Is Where the ... Tax Credit Is?
But that relief is ending, so what's a buyer to do now? Act fast!
By Elyse Glickman


... Even with some of these advantages, however, Denk and Dietz strongly encourage buyers to consult NAHB's paper on the tax benefits of home ownership (www.nahb.org) , consult organizations like the National Council of State Housing Agencies (www.ncsha.org/housing-help) , and look into other first-time buyer programs through state housing agencies.

"Being under duress in itself can be a pitfall," warns Nick Rizzi, CEO and founder of New York-based Smart Tax, a tax-preparation company that has offices in the Philadelphia region.

"Even with these great opportunities," he says, "when you buy a house, you need to realize you are going to be living there for a major part of your life. This is a decision you need to think through completely, even if time is running out."

Steve Beagelman, a Bucks County resident who heads SMB Franchise Advisors, recalls this kind of prudent thinking enabled him and his wife to make smarter choices when setting down permanent roots near Philadelphia.

"Based on what I observe is happening in the economy right now in my business, if people have the means and ability to buy a house, now is a great time to do it," he says.

(READ MORE)

Smart Tax Featured in Business First of Columbus

Smart Tax was recently featured in an article found in the the Business First of Columbus entitled, “Tax-Prep Chain Eyeing Columbus for Growth.” The article discusses Smart Tax’s growth plans in the Columbus market and how Smart Tax is looking to partner up with franchisees in the region. Below is a sample of the article along with a link to where the full article can be found.

Tax-prep chain eyeing Columbus for growth

A burgeoning New York-based tax preparation franchise is looking to take a leap into the Midwest by way of the Columbus market.

Brooklyn-based Smart Tax said it is in talks with Columbus-area entrepreneurs this tax season with an eye toward opening 15 locations in the area over the next two years. Founder Nick Rizzi began franchising Smart Tax in November and has grown the franchise to nine locations in New York and New Jersey and one in Houston.

Smart Tax’s goal, the company said, is to have 100 locations by Jan. 1, 2012.

(READ MORE)