Liberty Tax franchise
Liberty Tax runs tax preparation offices that are busiest from January to April, often in storefronts and seasonal kiosks. Franchisees hire and train preparers each season. At the end of 2025 there were 1,663 Liberty Tax locations in the US, 1,537 franchised and 126 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $50K–$71K
- Franchise fee
- $25,000
- Royalty
- 14%
- Locations, 2025
- 1,663−454 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 1997
- Franchisor based in
- Hurst, Texas
- Time to open
- 3 to 5 months after signing, opening January 2
- Agreement length
- 5 years
- Territory
- Limited protection
- Financing
- Some financing offered
From JTH Tax, LLC (Liberty Tax Service)’s 2026 filing.
How much a Liberty Tax franchise costs
Opening a single Liberty Tax office costs an estimated $49,700 to $71,400. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: JTH Tax, LLC (Liberty Tax Service), 2026 filing, page 31
Liberty Tax franchise fee
The franchise fee is $25,000, for a single territory. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: JTH Tax, LLC (Liberty Tax Service), 2026 filing, page 26
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 14% of gross receipts, with yearly minimums from the second year ($5,000, then $8,000), paid monthly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 5% of gross sales |
Source: JTH Tax, LLC (Liberty Tax Service), 2026 filing, page 27
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Liberty Tax publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports average prep fees and return counts for 1,411 franchised offices in the 2025 tax season. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: JTH Tax, LLC (Liberty Tax Service), 2026 filing, page 58
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,813 (−178) | 72 | 201 |
| 2024 | 1,686 (−127) | 78 | 161 |
| 2025 | 1,537 (−149) | 126 | 171 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: JTH Tax, LLC (Liberty Tax Service), 2026 filing, page 61
Other tax franchises
Liberty Tax franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Liberty Tax?
3 to 5 months after signing, opening January 2, according to Liberty Tax's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Liberty Tax help with financing?
Yes, in some cases. Liberty Tax may finance part of the cost, such as the franchise fee, for qualified buyers; terms are in its filing.
Do Liberty Tax franchisees get a protected territory?
Partly. You get some protection, but not an exclusive territory.
How long is a Liberty Tax franchise agreement?
The initial term is 5 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Liberty Tax growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 79 franchised locations opened and 533 closed or left, a net change of −22.8%.
Does Liberty Tax say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports average prep fees and return counts for 1,411 franchised offices in the 2025 tax season. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Liberty Tax based?
JTH Tax, LLC (Liberty Tax Service) is based in Hurst, Texas and the brand has sold franchises since 1997.