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:

(Read More)

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.

(Read More)

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)