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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - March 13, 2013 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - JTH Holding, Inc. (NASDAQ:TAX) (the “Company”), the parent company of Liberty Tax Service, today reported that systemwide revenue in the U.S. for the 2013 calendar year through February 28, 2013 increased 5.2% versus the same period last year.
“This season had the latest start that I have ever seen in my 44 years in the industry. As we expected, this shifted the early filing season later and we adjusted our office hours and customer service accordingly to accommodate these changes”
“This season had the latest start that I have ever seen in my 44 years in the industry. As we expected, this shifted the early filing season later and we adjusted our office hours and customer service accordingly to accommodate these changes,” said John Hewitt, Chairman and CEO. “We are pleased that our customers continue to recognize the value in having a Liberty Tax office prepare their tax return for them.”
Through January 31, 2013, the number of U.S. customers the Company and its franchisees had served in the calendar year had declined 27.0% versus the same period in the prior year. By February 28, 2013, the number of U.S. customers the Company and its franchisees had served in the calendar year was lower by 1.4% versus the same period in the prior year.
“We are encouraged by our strong February numbers,” said Hewitt. “With the IRS beginning to accept the last of the tax forms in early March, finally all taxpayers can have their return filed. According to the IRS, total U.S. tax returns received were down 12.9% for the calendar year as of March 1, 2013, versus the calendar year of 2012 through March 2, 2012. Based upon the tax season to date and the change the IRS implemented with regard to the Earned Income Tax Credit form, we believe total tax returns in the United States will be flat to up 1% this filing season instead of up 1-2%.”
Net income for the fiscal third quarter ended January 31, 2013, was $1.1 million, or $0.08 per share, compared to net income of $4.7 million, or $0.33 per share, in the prior year period. Net loss for the nine months ended January 31, 2013 was $11.7 million, or $0.92 per share, compared to a net loss of $4.6 million, or $0.41 per share, for the nine months ended January 31, 2012.
Revenues for the three months ended January 31, 2013 decreased 14.3% to $30.5 million, versus $35.7 million in the prior year period. The decline in revenue was primarily due to the unprecedented delay in the start of tax season, which for the period caused decreases in royalties, advertising fees, financial products income and tax preparation fees. These revenue reductions were somewhat offset by an increase in interest income as the Company increased the amount of operating loans to franchisees to help fund their January operating costs, in light of reduced January revenue attributable to the late season start. Additionally, due to differences in the structure of the current year’s contract for the Instant Cash Advance (ICA) program, the net revenue from that program was recorded as financial product revenue instead of presenting revenue and expenses separately in the financial statements, as was the case in prior years. This change further decreased financial product revenue versus last year.
Revenue for the first nine months of the fiscal year decreased 9.5% to $44.6 million compared to $49.3 million in the prior year period. In addition to the reasons listed above, revenue in the nine months ended January 31, 2013 was also impacted by a decline in franchise fees due to an increased number of new franchisees purchasing territories from existing franchisees.
Operating expenses for the three months ended January 31, 2013 increased 2.2% to $27.6 million, versus $27.0 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in personnel to support anticipated growth, operating additional company-owned stores and becoming a public company. This was somewhat offset by a decrease in general and administrative expenses as the Company restructured the financial product programs and the accounting for the 2013 ICA program requires a net presentation.
Operating expenses in the quarter included approximately $461,000 of costs associated with being a public company that were not incurred in the prior year quarter. Operating expenses for the first nine months of the fiscal year included approximately $1.5 million of costs associated with being a public company that were not incurred in the prior year.
Operating expenses for the first nine months of the fiscal year increased 12.6% to $62.1 million compared to $55.2 million in the prior year period.
At January 31, 2013, due to the delay in the start of the tax season, the Company was not in compliance with its leverage ratio requirement in its credit facility. The Company has obtained a waiver from its creditors and as of February 28, 2013, the outstanding amount on the revolving portion of its credit facility was $61.0 million, which would have been sufficient for compliance at January 31, 2013.
“We appreciate the support we have received from our bank syndicate and their understanding that the delay of the tax season merely shifted the timing of our revenue and the subsequent repayment on the line of credit. While we were only required to have support of 51% of our bank partners, we were happy to receive 100% approval of the waiver,” said Mark Baumgartner, CFO.
The Company is reiterating its net income and effective tax rate guidance of $20.0 million - $21.5 million and 38.6%, respectively. Revenue guidance is being updated to a range of $120 million - $125 million primarily due to accounting for the 2013 ICA program as net and the operation of fewer Company stores than previously projected.
At 4:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its earnings. To listen to the call, dial 800-510-9661 (domestic) or 617-614-3452 (international), passcode 55071337, approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time of the call. The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format. The link to the webcast may be accessed on the Company’s investor relations website at www.libertytax.com.
A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning shortly after the call on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 and continuing until Tuesday, March 19, 2013, by dialing 888-286-8010 (domestic) or 617-801-6888 (international). The participant passcode is 94444112. A replay of the webcast will also be available at the site listed above beginning shortly after its conclusion.
Founded in 1997 by CEO John T. Hewitt, JTH Holding, Inc. is the parent company of Liberty Tax Service. As the fastest-growing tax preparation franchise ever, Liberty Tax Service has prepared over 10 million individual income tax returns. Liberty also offers an online tax service, eSmart Tax, which enables customers to do their own taxes wherever there’s a computer. eSmart Tax is backed by the tax professionals at Liberty Tax Service and its nationwide network of over 30,000 tax preparers, ready to offer their assistance at any time. For a more in-depth look at Liberty Tax Service, visit www.libertytax.com.
In addition to historical information, this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including implied and express statements regarding the Company’s anticipated growth and expansion of its business. These forward-looking statements, as well as the Company's guidance, are based upon the Company's current expectations and there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and speak only as of the date on which they are made, the Company's actual results could differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties relate to, among other things, uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to attract and retain clients; meet its prepared returns targets; competitive factors; the Company's effective income tax rate; litigation defense expenses and costs of judgments or settlements; and changes in market, economic, political or regulatory conditions. Information concerning these risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and in other filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Investors
JTH Holding, Inc.
Darby Schoenfeld
Director of Investor Relations
757-453-6047
darby.schoenfeld@libtax.com
Media
JTH Holding, Inc.
Martha O’Gorman
Chief Marketing Officer
757-301-8022
martha@libtax.com