Jackson Hewitt reports strong season

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is claiming strong results for the tax season just passed.

Along with gains in market share, the tax prep chain reported 4 percent total revenue growth, a 6.6 percent increase in same-store sales and a 1.7 percent jump in same-store returns for the 2017 filing season.

Hewitt, which has some 6,000 offices nationwide, including 3,000 locations in Walmart stores, did not offer specific revenue or sales figures, but attributed this season’s success to many strategies, including its marketing, which highlighted the benefit of assisted tax prep over DIY options, innovations in Express Refund Advance and the “Better Than Free” promotion.

A Jackson Hewitt location
The Justice Department sued to shut 125 franchises of No. 2 U.S. tax preparer Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. as the IRS accused the outlets of submitting thousands of fraudulent returns that cost the government more than $70 million. This office of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 4, is not known to be involved in the federal law suit. Mario Villafuerte/Bloomberg News

“We saw taxpayers recognize the value of working with a tax professional, and we are proud of how our people and franchise partners served our clients," said CEO Alan Ferber, in a statement. "Our initiatives to combat late refunds for hardworking Americans, aggressive marketing to both in-store and online filers, and attractive promotions were a winning combination."

Strong franchise sales also supported the growth, the company said: Hewitt added 36 new franchise groups, which purchased over 125 new and existing franchise territories nationwide.

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Tax franchises Tax season Tax refunds Tax preparation Tax preparers
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