Start a ATAX Franchise in 2025

2025 Franchise 500 Rank: #406 Ranked #430 last year

Initial investment: $59K - $79K

Units as of 2024: 124 100.0% over 3 years

ATAX franchise businesses offer essential services to their clients, including tax preparation for both individuals and businesses, bookkeeping, incorporation services, payroll services, free ITINs and more. The company was founded in 1986 and began franchising in 2007.

In 2019, ATAX joined Loyalty Brands, an umbrella franchise company founded by John Hewitt, who is no stranger to tax services franchises, having founded both Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax Service. Loyalty Brands is also the parent company of other business services franchises, many of which are compatible, so potential franchisees can own more than one brand for additional customer acquisition and co-marketing opportunities.

Why You Might Consider an ATAX Franchise

ATAX is a fast-growing, full-service national tax preparation and business services franchise, serving local multicultural communities. With an ATAX franchise, you gain access to training and support from a franchisor with decades of experience, including weekly webinars and live personalized coaching. You also get the advantage of access to a powerful guerrilla marketing system and advertising strategies, and assistance with locating and leasing your new business location.

You can also choose how you would like to run your business. Some franchisees want to be the face of their office, while those with multiple units are allowed to run their business more like an enterprise. ATAX franchises are fairly simple to operate, allowing the franchisee to focus on delivering consistent results.

You also don't have to start from the ground up. If you already own an existing tax preparation firm but want to expand your business under a trusted name, you can convert your business to an ATAX franchise. The company knows it's hard work running a business alone and they're on hand to make it a more accessible experience.

What Might Make an Atax Franchise a Good Investment?

ATAX operates in an industry that's typically seen as recession resistant and serves a multicultural clientele. The demand for its products exists no matter the current economic climate. Every citizen of the United States is required to file their taxes annually, but not everyone understands how or has the time to do so on their own, creating a high demand for the company’s services. And offering bilingual services allows your ATAX franchise to appeal to the country’s fast-growing Latino and Hispanic population.

How to Open an ATAX Franchise

If you are considering an opportunity with ATAX, you'll want to be prepared with a dependable net worth and liquid capital sufficient to open an ATAX franchise. If you can meet the financial requirements, you can chat with company representatives about available franchise opportunities in your desired area.

Before long, you could be opening the doors of your new ATAX franchise to local consumers. You'll be helping people get their taxes and other business services done right the first time.

Company Overview

About ATAX

Industry	Financial Services
Related Categories	Tax Services
Founded	1986
Parent Company	Loyalty Brands
Leadership	Alberto Ortiz, CEO & President
Corporate Address	780 Lynnhaven Pkwy., #240 Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Social	Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok

Business Overview

Franchising Since	2007 (18 years)
# of employees at HQ	15
Where seeking	This company is offering new franchises throughout the US.
# of Units	124 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a ATAX franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Definition: The initial fee paid to a franchisor to join their system What you need to know: Found in Item 5 of the FDD, this may be a flat fee, or may vary based on territory size, experience, or other factors.The franchise fee is an up-front (one-time) cost that a new franchisee pays to the franchisor. This fee is usually due at the signing of the franchise agreement and covers the right to use the franchisor's trademarks, name, and related business systems.	$35,000
Initial Investment Definition: The total amount necessary to begin operation of the franchise What you need to know: The initial investment includes the franchise fee, along with other startup expenses such as real estate, equipment, supplies, business licenses, and working capital. This is outlined in a chart in Item 7 of the FDD, showing a range of possible costs from low to high.	$59,150 - $79,000
Net Worth Requirement Definition: The minimum net worth you must have in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company What you need to know: Net worth is the value of a person's assets minus liabilities. Assets include cash, stocks, retirement accounts, and real estate. Liabilities include items like mortgages, car payments, and credit card debt.	$50,000 - $100,000
Cash Requirement Definition: The minimum liquid capital you must have available in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company.	$25,000
Veteran Incentives Definition: A discount or other incentive offered to military veterans who buy a franchise with this company.	10% off franchise fee
Royalty Fee Definition: A ongoing fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis. What you need to know: Most franchisors require franchisees to pay an ongoing royalty fee, which is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. This fee is typically a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales, but may also be a flat weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	14%
Ad Royalty Fee Definition: An going fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis to support advertising or marketing efforts. What you need to know: This may also be called advertising fee, marketing fee, brand fund fee, and more, but the basic purpose is the same-- to support promotion of the brand systemwide. As with the royalty fee, it is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD, and can be a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales or a weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	3%
Term of Agreement Definition: The length of time your franchise agreement will last. What you need to know: Franchise terms are typically anywhere from 5 to 20 years in length, but are sometimes instead dependent on factors such as the term of your lease. Once your term is up, you may have the option to renew your agreement, typically for a smaller fee than the original franchise fee.	10 years
Is franchise term renewable?	Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

In-House Financing	ATAX offers in-house financing to cover the following: franchise fee
Third Party Financing	ATAX has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training	2 hours
Classroom Training	24 hours
Ongoing Support	Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings & Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security & Safety Procedures Lease Negotiation Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support	Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social Media SEO Website Development Email Marketing Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?	No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Definition: The business can be run from your home and/or a vehicle, and it is not necessary to have a retail facility, office space, or warehouse.	No
Can this franchise be run part time? Definition: This business can be run by the owner on a part-time basis (less than 40 hours per week) and/or as a side business; it is not necessary for the business to be open/run full-time.	Yes
Are exclusive territories available? Definition: An exclusive territory is a fixed area in which you are given the right to operate and in which no other units of the same franchise may be opened. What you need to know: Territory size may be based on factors such as radius, population size, zip codes, and more. Details can be found in Item 12 of the FDD.	Yes