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26 Best Tax Preparation Franchises [Cost, Fees]

Do you want to start a tax preparation business by buying a franchise? If YES, here are 26 best tax service franchise opportunities for sale and their cost. For anyone engaged in one form of income earning activity or the other in the United States, the one thing that would always keep them on their toes is taxes. This is an inescapable fact if you do not want to get into trouble with the authorities.

It has been reported that in 2018, more than 154 million people filed tax returns across the nation, and like the previous year, nearly 60% of those returns were prepared by some kind of tax professional. That is indeed a big market for anyone that wants to venture into the field of tax preparation.

Again, the IRS estimates that it takes 16 hours (including the time it takes to gather the necessary documents) to complete the Form 1040, the individual tax return that nearly 70% of Americans use. However, if individuals own a business, have investments beyond a typical IRA or 401K, or have any kind of layers to work out on his or her tax forms, their taxes could be more complicated to fill out and file.

The tax business has kept growing because lack of time and an increasingly complicated tax code are leading more and more people and companies to seek outside help in preparing their tax returns. In addition, many people file their taxes online, and because of this, tax preparers have started to offer online services that fill out and file tax forms electronically, allowing tax payers to compute and file their own taxes at home.

If you want to be a part of this money spinning industry and start earning money and clients as soon as you set up your business, it would be in your best interest to buy the franchise of a successful tax preparation company. We have brought you some of the best and most reliable tax preparation franchises you can buy in the United States.

26 Best Tax Preparation Franchise Opportunities for Sale and Their Cost

  1. H&R Block

H & R Block is one of the leading tax preparer franchises in the United States. Since brothers Henry and Richard Bloch founded H & R Block in 1955, the company has prepared more than 720 million tax returns. Franchising began in 1956, and the company went public in 1962. In addition to providing tax return preparation services in-person, the company offers online and desktop software products and an array of other financial services.

Their customers are given a wide array of services and ways to get help from H&R Block. They can always stop into an office to get the help they need in preparing their tax returns, or they can get the help of an H&R Block Tax Pro online.

Customers who want to file electronically can do so but must have a Tax Pro review it first, or customers can also upload all their documents and have a Tax Pro handle the filing for them. The company also has its own do-it-yourself software to guide customers through preparing and filing their own taxes.

Each of the company’s Tax Pros has gone through a 6-level certification program and also has to complete 18 hours of continuing education each year before filing season begins.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $31,557 – $149,398
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $2,500 – $2,500
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 30%
  1. Padgett Business Services

Padgett Business Services is another resounding name when it comes to tax services in the United States. The first Padgett Business Services office opened in the 1960’s to help small business owners with their taxes. In 1975, the company began expanding through franchising, and its services have expanded as well.

In addition to tax advice and preparation, Padgett franchisees offer business advice, management financial reporting, credit card processing, payroll solutions and other business services. The company is still seeking to expand through franchising.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $20,200 – $99,975
  • Net-worth Requirement – $100,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $15,000 – $56,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 9%+
  1. Liberty Tax Service

Tax services cannot be mentioned in the United States without Liberty Tax Service coming up. The company has made a name for itself as far as tax services are concerned, not only in the United States but in other countries of the world through their online service.

In 1997, John Hewitt, founder of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, acquired a tax company that had been franchising in Canada since 1973. The company changed its name to Liberty Tax Service and now offers franchises throughout the United States and Canada.

Liberty offers two guarantees: The maximum refund guarantee states that if customers file online with Liberty but get a bigger refund on the same return from a competitor, the preparation fees will be refunded. The accuracy guarantee states that if Liberty’s math is off resulting in any penalties or interest, the customer will be reimbursed for those.

Liberty also offers a changing mix of promotions such as a referral fee of $50 for each friend you send to Liberty that becomes a customer, a 50% offer where customers can switch to Liberty this year and pay just 50% of what they paid a competitor last year, and a free two-month trial of mileage tracking app MileIQ.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $58,700 – $71,900
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $40,000 – $40,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 14%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 5%
  1. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service

Jackson Hewitt is a full-service, year-round national tax service specializing in computerized federal and state preparation of individual returns. It began franchising in 1986, the same year that the IRS introduced electronic filing.

Yet another big name as far a tax service franchising is concerned in the United States, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service offers in-house financing to cover equipment and inventory. The company has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover only startup costs.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $39,721 – $105,375
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $15,000 – $25,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5-15%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 6%
  1. Daniel Ahart Tax Service

Daniel Ahart Tax Service is a tax services franchise that offer state of the art tax preparation, free electronic filing with paid tax preparation and all the bank products such as refund anticipation loans. Many of the filing options offer the client a “no-money-out-of-pocket” alternative.

Some of the services offered by the company include Income tax preparations, electronic filings, direct deposits, no-money-out-of-pocket tax preparations, instant refund loans, refund anticipation loans and refund anticipation checks.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment  – $26,300 – $44,600
  • Net-worth Requirement – $100,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $20,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $12,500 – $12,500
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 12%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
  1. Listo Tax Solutions

Listo Tax Solutions is a company that securely and accurately prepares customers taxes. This tax company is committed to getting its customers a maximum tax refund or, failing that, a minimum amount of taxes owed to the government. The company vows to go over all refund and payment choices with its clients while weighing the pros and cons, with the final decision up to the client him or herself.

Beyond tax preparation, Listo Tax Solutions also provides accounting, payroll, and even some translation services. Over everything, Listo Tax Solutions stresses the privacy it provides to customers, as they don’t have several clients sharing information in a single room just like some other tax prep businesses.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $54,700 – $90,400
  • Net-worth Requirement – $110,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $75,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $30,000 – $30,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 11.5%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 3%
  1. Business Incentive Solutions

Business Incentive Solutions is a provider of tax credit, profit recovery and cost segregation services. Since 2004, Business Incentive Solutions has helped businesses across a range of industries realize millions of dollars in savings from available business incentive programs. Cutting costs and increasing profits are critical to every business, especially during difficult economic times.

However, even when times are good, your company cannot afford to overlook opportunities to improve the bottom line with incentives, grants, and other economic development programs offered through federal, state, and local programs. Business Incentive Solutions is focused on assisting companies in obtaining maximum value from incentives and profit recovery programs.

Their integrated suite of consulting services is designed to facilitate a wide range of lucrative programs for companies. Business Incentive Solutions has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs and equipment.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $34,850 – $70,300
  • Net-worth Requirement –  $50,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $10,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $20,000 – $20,000
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
  1. Payroll Vault Franchising LLC

Payroll Vault is a boutique-style full-service payroll company designed for small businesses. Payroll Vault, in addition to other services, also offer tax service. The company strives to over-achieve for clients by offering outstanding client service, technology-driven payroll processing, and ultimate convenience for employers and their employees.

Payroll Vault sets itself above by offering unmatched customer service, client options, a reliable professional network, a historical track record, and easy package pricing.

By having a business presence in the community since 1989, Payroll Vault, its owners, management and staff have become respected and recommended by its network of professionals. They can also refer you to their network of professionals. For example, if you need an accountant, HR Professional or benefits broker, they can recommend a professional based on the needs and uniqueness of your business.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $44,369 – $70,569
  • Net-worth Requirement – $250,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $30,000 – $30,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
  • Veteran Incentives – 10% off franchise fee
  1. CPAYY

CPAYY is a successful firm that offers tax preparation, business consulting, business services, and financial planning and advisory to a wide range of clients in the United States of America. CPAYY offers in-house financing to cover franchise fee and they are seeking new franchise units throughout the United States of America.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $74,000 – $96,500
  • Net-worth Requirement – $150,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $60,000 – $60,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 10%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 10%
  • Veteran Incentives – 20% off franchise fee
  1. Nstant Money Tax Service

Nstant Money Tax Service is a tax company that offers tax preparation, rapid refunds and instant tax refund advances, catering to low to middle income taxpayers. Owning a recession-resistant Nstant Money Tax Service franchise would enable you to capitalize on a $10 billion opportunity.

The company has been in business in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since 1996. They have prepared and filed thousands of income tax returns, both for individuals and small businesses. Nstant Money Tax Service specialize in individual tax return preparation, instant tax refund advances and electronic filing.

They are also offering an outstanding, low cost tax preparation franchise business opportunity. For an investment ranging from $53,700 to $61,900, you can own your very own Nstant Money tax franchise.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $58,700 – $71,900
  • Net-worth Requirement – $50,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $50,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $40,000 – $40,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 12%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 5%
  1. Instant Tax Service

Instant Tax Service specializes in providing professional tax preparation, refund anticipation loans and expedited refund. Known to be a low-cost business venture, Instant Tax Service has become a major competitor, providing customers with outstanding service and instant results. Today Instant Tax provides both in-person and online filing services across the entire United States.

Founded in Cincinnati by Fesum Berhane Ogbazion, an Ethiopian native, in 1994, Instant Refund Tax Service was created while Ogbazion was persuing a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Cincinnati.

Over the next five years, Ogbazion opened 26 additional locations throughout Ohio and Northern Kentucky and in 1999 Ogbazion sold his business to Jackson Hewitt. The next year Ogbazion moved to Dayton, Ohio and founded Instant Tax Service.

Financial Requirements

  • Liquid capital required – $15,000
  • Net worth required – $10,000
  • Investment – $39,000 – $89,000
  • Franchise fee – $34,000
  1. Succentrix Business Advisors

Succentrix Business Advisors offer tax preparation, payroll services and business support to entrepreneurs. With Succentrix Business Advisors at the core of your business strategy, you are free to carry on with your business.

The Succentrix Business Advisors model enables the franchise owner to start their practice quickly and inexpensively with a foundation of solutions that are efficient, effective, profitable, and competitively priced. Each solution is designed for the franchise owner to take a leadership role and support their clients in finding individual real-time solutions that fit their needs.

Succentrix Business Advisors offers in-house financing to cover franchise fee and the company has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover just their franchise fee.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $37,100 – $48,700
  • Net-worth Requirement – $50,000 – $100,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $25,000 – $50,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $21,900 – $21,900
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 7%
  1. Happy Tax Franchising

Happy Tax was started after its founder, Mario Costanz had already opened nearly 100 tax preparation offices on his own. What he noticed was that many of the so-called tax professionals in other companies didn’t have nearly as much experience or qualifications as he thought they should have.

At Happy Tax, the only people who do the actual preparation of taxes are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). The person a customer sits down with in the store is not a CPA but acts more like a concierge – the CPAs are busy working their magic in the back office to get maximum refunds for customers.

Customers can also engage in the whole process through their mobile device of choice. The company website is also very transparent about the pricing of its services relative to many of its competitors, so customers know exactly what they will be paying to have the expertise of a CPA prepare their tax return.

Similar to other companies, Happy Tax also offers free audit assistance for customers who need it. Founded in 2014 and franchising since 2015, their number of locations currently stands at 132, none of which are company-owned and all of which are located in the U.S.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $30,400 – $66,500
  • Initial Franchise Fee  – $20,000 – $25,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 10-20%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
  1. RMH Business Solutions Inc.

Founder of RMH Business Solutions, Inc. Robert Hackl, has had a long and successful career in accounting and financial planning with an extensive background in taxation. He realized that many of his clients needed more than just tax preparation services.

They were starting or running businesses and cobbling together a number of vendors, going to one to do payroll, another for bookkeeping and still another for business taxes. The process of dealing with so many vendors was taking up too much of their time—the time they needed to be focusing on growing their businesses.

Robert developed the RMH Business Solutions model to address that very problem. RMH Business Solutions provides all of the essential tools to assist small businesses in navigating the business world. The company offers tax preparation services, payroll services, and bookkeeping and accounting services.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $41,050 – $71,400
  • Net-worth Requirement – $75,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $35,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $30,000 – $30,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 9%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
  1. TaxLeaf.com

TaxLeaf has been helping people with their Tax and Accounting needs since 1976. They have awesome services for individuals as well as businesses. The company is known for their experience as well as technology. The company also owns what it calls the LeafCloud, where all your docs are yours, available on the internet, any time, anywhere.

TaxLeaf is a Tax and Accounting Franchise model like no other. Unlike their major competitors, TaxLeaf specializes in business accounting and tax preparation services.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment  – $69,088 – $148,325
  • Net-worth Requirement – $100,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $50,000 – $100,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $25,000 – $25,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 20-30%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 3%
  1. Tax Pros

Since 2009, Tax Pros has been providing tax, audit, accounting, and consulting services for individuals and a wide variety of privately held businesses in the Miami Dade metro area. With over 50 committed professionals, the firm is able to respond to accounting needs while creating a comfortable and personalized experience.

Tax Pros strive to cultivate long-lasting relationships with each and every client. They strive to be your trusted adviser and to build lasting client relationships. No two clients are exactly alike, this they understand, and also that you have unique needs, concerns, and financial goals so they thoughtfully address each of these issues when working with you.

Tax Pros has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and payroll.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $107,200 – $156,900
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $10,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $39,900 – $39,900
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 14%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
  1. Tax Care Franchise Group

Tax Care is a accounting firm that provides a one source solution for small businesses for a variety of services including tax preparation and planning, payroll services, bookkeeping and accounting services, financial analysis, cash flow management, business financing solutions, new business formation, tax resolution services, life, property and casualty services, succession planning, business planning and other services.

The company has a group of highly specialized staff that are committed to providing service excellence in services to all of their clients and teaching them important financial strategies.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $121,770 – $265,050
  • Net-worth Requirement – $20,170 – $89,050
  • Liquid Cash Requirement  – $80,000 – $120,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee  – $21,600 – $56,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
  1. SiempreTax+

SiempreTax+ is a low-investment tax franchise opportunity, specializing in tax return preparation for individuals and small businesses in the Hispanic market. It is an affiliate of the Liberty Tax brand, one of the fastest growing tax preparation companies in the industry.

The company is especially focused on newer immigrants to the U.S. and for this reason offers a variety of other services such as applying for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) that is often needed to open bank accounts or obtain credit cards, assistance with drivers’ licenses, notary services, and advice on the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

Like Liberty, SiempreTax+ also offers a $50 referral promotion as well as free consultation appointments for individuals and families who need assistance. For tax preparation, the company hires bilingual personnel so language is never a barrier.

Founded in 2014 and franchising since that same year, the number of locations currently stands at 61 (a sharp drop from last year’s figure of 117), of which 22 are company-owned and all are located in the U.S.

Financial Requirements

  • Liquid capital required – $25,001
  • Net worth required – $25,000
  • Investment – 25,000 – $65,000
  • Franchise fee – $25,000
  1. Paramount Tax

Paramount Tax is known for providing comprehensive tax preparation and financial services to organizations, individuals and small to medium-sized businesses. By consistently delivering high quality services, they have built a reputation for integrity among clients seeking quick, accurate and expert guidance on a variety of tax and business needs. The company is offering franchising throughout the United States.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $87,851 – $150,951
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $49,500 – $49,500
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 8%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
  • Veteran Incentives – 10% off franchise fee
  1. ATAX

ATAX Accounting and Financial Services offers personal tax preparation, business tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll, incorporation and business startup. Founded in 1986, ATAX is three businesses in one for individuals and businesses. A one source resource for all things financial, ATAX has nearly 30 years of success behind it.

Widely recognized as a leader in financial services and franchising, ATAX has earned USA Today’s “Top 50 Franchises for Minorities” last two years, Franchise Business Review’s “Best Low Investment Franchises” and “Best of the Best” honors, ranking in the top 200 of more than 3,000 U.S. franchise systems.

Rafael Alvarez launched ATAX in 1986 in New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood. Expanding the initial business to two locations, Alvarez Tax became a trust tax preparation, payroll and bookkeeping company, earning Alvarez and the business multiple honors, including the New York City Dominican Heritage Celebration Crystal Apple Award (2007) and the El Award from El Diario. In 2007, Alvarez began franchising and changed the name of the company to ATAX. ATAX has been lauded for its sound business model and low initial investment.

Financial Requirements

  • Investment – $37,450 – $76,800
  • Franchise fee – $17,000
  1. ACI Franchising

ACI is a closely held corporation headquartered in Indiana with offices in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Illinois and Colorado. Co-founded and led by Alan Newcomb and Becky Bennett, ACI is a full service administrator of federal and state tax incentive programs serving clients coast-to-coast. Along with its alliance partners, ACI can offer an array of services such as property tax, sales and use tax and cost segregation.

  1. National Tax Office

At National Tax office, they strive to help professionals who want to start out in the tax business and are looking for the right guidance and support. If you are willing to put in your time and dedication, they can help you grow and succeed.

Financial Requirements

  • Liquid Capital Required: $499
  • Total Investment: $499
  1. RetroTax

RetroTax(TM) is a full service administrator of federal and state tax credit programs and provides services to a wide variety of industries. They specialize in administering geographic and demographic federal and state tax credit programs, new hire, and job creation tax incentives. RetroTax uses a state-of-the-art proprietary software program to process your company’s information to obtain federal and state tax credits.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment: $33,450 – $46,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000
  1. Tax Tiger

Tax Tiger began as a faith based business, founded by Kathy Hill in 2002, with a mission of helping individuals and businesses obtain relief and resolution from their IRS pressures and problems. Unlike many companies, Tax Tiger focuses on doing one thing as effectively as possible, resolving IRS related problems such as wage garnishments, bank levies, IRS tax liens, unfiled back taxes and a variety of other tax related problems.

Today, Tax Tiger has grown into a leader in the tax resolution field by helping thousands of customers in nearly every state save more than $21,000,000 in back taxes, penalties, and interest. Their team includes Tax Attorneys, Enrolled Agents, Certified Public Accountants, and others with special expertise in the complex, ever-changing tax law field.

To illustrate the caliber of the professionals affiliated with their company, several of the attorneys they work with hold LLM’s in Taxation Law, and many years of experience resolving tax controversies with the IRS. They have CPAs who hold Masters Degrees in Taxation as well. Tax Tiger has been awarded an “A+” rating by the Better Business Bureau, and continues to maintain a highly ethical and superior level of service.

  1. United Check Cashing

United Check Cashing is a financial service business that offers loads of financial services including tax preparation. The company offers a warm, community bank-like atmosphere for customers to conduct their business. Their customers have unique demands not currently met by traditional banking institutions, so they have assembled a full compliment of products and services to meet your needs.

United also offers better hours and more accessible locations than a typical bank. United Financial Services Group was founded in 1977 and began franchising in 1991. It has more than 80 locations throughout the United States and is based in Philadelphia.

Financial Requirements

  • Financial Requirements
  • Initial Investment – $226,000 – $297,000
  • Net-worth Requirement – $350,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $120,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $30,000 – $30,000
  • Ad Royalty Fee – $1K/yr.
  1. Growth Assistance, America’s Small Business Success Experts

Unlike most tax consultants, Growth Assistance, America’s Small Business Success Experts does more than simply fill out forms at tax time. They are a full service small business consultancy, offering a wide range of value-added tax, financial and business advisory services, designed to help their clients minimize their tax burdens, maximize their personal wealth and business profits, and grow and succeed in their businesses.

They specialize in businesses from startups to those that earn $2 million a year in revenue. They are a one-stop shop for small business owners, offering services such as tax preparation, tax planning, IRS problem resolution, bookkeeping, QuickBooks support, payroll processing, business formations, personal financial planning and general business consulting.