LIBERTY TAX SERVICE NAMED OVERALL “BEST PLACE TO WORK” BY INSIDE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

(Virginia Beach, VA)  The Liberty Tax Service corporate office tops the chart of the “Best Places to Work in 2009” in the Hampton Roads area ranked by Inside Business magazine.  This is the fourth consecutive year that Liberty Tax has been recognized.  Companies were evaluated for “company culture, annual turnover, compensation, benefit, and employee training opportunities.”  Employees’ answers to an online survey about their companies were also a factor to overall placement. 
“We are honored to be considered one of this dynamic elite group recognized for contributing positively to our growth and economy locally and nationally,” said John Hewitt, CEO and Founder of Liberty Tax Service.
Liberty Tax Service is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  The company began operations in Canada in 1997, and quickly moved into the United States, operating just five offices in the first tax season.  Today there are 3,100 Liberty Tax offices in the United States and Canada, making it the fastest growing retail tax preparation firm ever. Over 1800 franchisees comprise the Liberty Tax Service organization. Dancing costumed characters portraying Lady Liberty and Canadian maple leaves are waving in new customers and building a recognizable brand quickly.

Each Liberty Tax office provides free tax advice, and free checking of self-prepared returns.  The company also offers fall income tax preparation schools at offices across the country to educate the public and to provide training for possible employment during tax season. 

Liberty Tax Service is the top tax franchise opportunity, and has climbed to #3 overall on the latest Entrepreneur “Franchise 500.”  The Company is the only tax service included on Poder magazine’s (formerly Hispanic Enterprise magazine’s) elite list of the “Top 25 Franchise Opportunities for Hispanics” in 2006, 2007, and 2009.  Black Enterprise magazine has named Liberty Tax Service (www.libertytax.com) as one of the most affordable and best franchise opportunities for minorities for a fifth time since 2001. 
  
About Liberty Tax Service 

Liberty Tax Service (www.libertytax.com) plans to open up to 500 new offices in January 2010.  Founded in 1997 by CEO John T. Hewitt, a pioneer in the tax industry, Liberty Tax Service has prepared over 7,000,000 individual income tax returns.  With 41 years of tax industry experience, Hewitt stands as the most experienced CEO in the tax preparation business, having also founded Jackson Hewitt Tax Service (NYSE:JTX).  Liberty Tax Service (www.libertytax.com) provides computerized income tax preparation, electronic filing, refund loans, and online filing through eSmart Tax at www.esmarttax.com.      

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