Virginia Beach, VA - For the fourth time, Liberty Tax Service is the only tax service included on PODER magazine's 2010 list of the "Top 26 Franchises for Hispanics" (June-July 2010). The magazine based its evaluation on "historical performance, brand identification, franchisee satisfaction, training, ongoing support, and financial stability." PODER also heavily weighed the value of the companies that "operate profitable businesses while also demonstrating an exceptional level of Latino participation and support for the Hispanic community."
"We are honored to be included on the PODER list again. It is our intention to keep our franchise opportunity attainable and affordable, and a clear choice for its potential and ongoing support," said John Hewitt, CEO and Founder of Liberty Tax Service.
Liberty Tax Service has embraced diversity in its recruiting of Hispanic franchisees and preparers, and has greatly expanded its Hispanic Services initiative since an initial launch in 2004. Liberty's Hispanic Initiative program - Una Familia Sin Fronteras [A Family Without Boundaries] offers cultural education and training to recruit bilingual staff, covers culturally appropriate customer service, provides all staff with opportunities for professional growth and addresses culturally appropriate tax issues. Through this initiative, Liberty Tax Service has also been educating thousands of Hispanic adults on ways to achieve financial and future success in the United States. Many new Hispanic immigrants are not even aware that they are required to file taxes. In order to do so, many must obtain an "Individual Taxpayer Identification Number," or ITIN. Liberty Tax provides free seminars about ITIN preparation accompanied by free preparation of ITINs by bilingual preparers. The initiative has earned the respect and support of institutions and educational organizations including public school districts, the Mexican government's Foreign Ministry's Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME, or Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior), and national non-profit organizations.
Liberty Tax Service has just announced the creation of the Una Familia Sin Fronteras Foundation, the first Foundation in the industry which specifically aims to contribute to Hispanic immigrants' success through fiscal and financial education.