Liberty Tax Service Reports Fiscal 2015 Second Quarter Results

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA--(Marketwired - Dec 8, 2014) - Liberty Tax, Inc. (NASDAQ: TAX)

• Revenue increased 5.7%, to $7.7 million
• Seasonal pretax loss increased to $18.8 million
• Adjusted Non-GAAP pretax loss increased to $15.6 million
• Adjusted Non-GAAP net loss per share increased to $0.74
• Non-recurring costs in the quarter of $3.3 million

Liberty Tax, Inc. (NASDAQ: TAX) (the "Company"), the parent company of Liberty Tax Service, today reported a net loss for the second fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2014 of $11.3 million, or $0.89 per share, compared to a net loss of $8.5 million, or $0.66 per share, in the prior year period. On an adjusted basis, the Company reported an adjusted non-GAAP net loss of $0.74 per share compared to an adjusted non-GAAP net loss of $0.60 per share in the prior period. Due to the seasonality of its business, the Company typically reports a loss in the second quarter.

"This is an exciting time for the tax industry and we expect to continue taking market share in a market that is growing faster than ever. We had a successful off season and believe we will deliver strong full year-over-year growth," said John Hewitt, CEO. "We believe our ACA and SiempreTax+ initiatives position us well to take advantage of the multi-year tailwinds of the ACA and immigration reform." 

Income Statement
Revenues for the three months ended October 31, 2014 increased 5.7% to $7.7 million compared to $7.3 million in the prior year period. The increase in revenue was primarily due to increases in franchise fees and transfer fees which were driven by the Company's ability to sell during the entire quarter, without the interruption of the sales blackout period which affected the prior year period. 

Operating expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2014 increased 24.2% to $26.0 million compared to $20.9 million in the prior year period. During the three months ended October 31, 2014, the Company incurred $3.3 million in non-recurring, one-time costs. These costs included approximately $2.1 million in costs related to a tentative litigation settlement, and approximately $1.2 million in one-time severance costs. These items, along with investments in new initiatives, accounted for the bulk of the increase in operating expenses. Excluding non-recurring items, adjusted operating expenses increased 16.2% to $22.7 million.

Balance Sheet
The Company has drawn $51.7 million on its revolving credit facility as of October 31, 2014, compared to $38.5 million as of October 31, 2013. This increase was due to the Company's decision to repurchase a larger amount of common stock and higher cash tax payments on prior year results.

Operational Results
During the first half of fiscal 2015, the Company sold approximately 105 new territories, compared to approximately 65 during the prior year period and 190 during the same period of 2013. The 2013 number of new territories includes 81 territories purchased under the now discontinued $0 franchise fee program. The 2013 number, net of these $0 franchise fee purchases, was approximately 109. New territories include territories sold to new franchisees and additional territories sold to existing franchisees. 

This information gives insight into a portion of the Company's sales season; however, in order to predict total office count, other factors, including terminations and the opening of previously sold territories must be considered as well. The Company expects the total office count to increase over last year, adding more year-round offices and decreasing the number of seasonal offices. 

Second Quarter Conference Call
At 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, December 8, 2014, the Company will host a conference call for analysts, institutional investors and stockholders. To access the call, please dial the number below approximately 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:

U.S. 855-611-0856
International 518-444-5569
Conference ID Code: 38821048

The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format. The link to the webcast can 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 and continuing until Monday, December 15, 2014, by dialing 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-406 (international). The conference ID code is 38821048. A replay of the webcast will also be available at the site listed above beginning shortly after its conclusion. 

About Liberty Tax, Inc.
Founded in 1997 by CEO John T. Hewitt, Liberty Tax, Inc., is the parent company of Liberty Tax Service. Liberty Tax is the fastest-growing tax preparation franchise and has prepared almost 18 million individual income tax returns in more than 4,400 offices and online. Liberty Tax's online services are available through eSmart Tax, Liberty Online and DIY Tax, and are all backed by the tax professionals at Liberty Tax locations and its nationwide network of approximately 35,000 seasonal tax preparers. Liberty Tax also supports local communities with fundraising endeavors and contributes as a national sponsor for many charitable causes. For a more in-depth look, visit Liberty Tax Service and interact with Liberty Tax on Twitter and Facebook.

About Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release and the accompanying tables include non-GAAP financial information. For a description of these non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons management uses each measure, and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, please see the section of the accompanying tables titled "Non-GAAP Financial Information."

Forward Looking Statements
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 future growth. These forward-looking statements, as well as Company 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; the effect of health care reform on tax preparation-related revenue; the impact of the launch of a new franchise brand; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to 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.

Table A
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited, amounts in thousands
				October 31,				October 31,			April 30,
				2014				2013			2014
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	4,605			$	2,607		$	46,080
	Receivables, net				66,577				71,055			65,656
	Available-for-sale securities				-				4,606			-
	Assets held for sale				5,398				-			4,413
	Income taxes receivable				20,647				11,759			-
	Deferred income tax asset				4,013				2,875			4,058
	Other current assets				3,789				2,926			5,325
		Total current assets			105,029				95,828			125,532
	Property, equipment, and software, net				41,635				36,470			38,343
	Notes receivable, excluding current portion, net				22,294				16,793			15,824
	Goodwill				2,978				7,194			2,997
	Other intangible assets, net				12,134				16,316			14,295
	Other assets				2,553				2,160			1,772
		Total assets		$	186,623			$	174,761		$	198,763
Current liabilities:
	Current installments of long-term debt			$	1,965			$	6,485		$	6,797
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses				11,798				7,851			15,023
	Due to area developers				8,010				8,315			18,236
	Income taxes payable				-				-			9,676
	Deferred revenue - short-term portion				7,224				6,693			6,051
		Total current liabilities			28,997				29,344			55,783
	Long-term debt, excluding current installments				22,119				22,987			21,691
	Revolving credit facility				51,711				38,459			-
	Deferred revenue - long-term portion				8,368				8,092			8,059
	Deferred income tax liability				5,158				2,106			3,045
		Total liabilities			116,353				100,988			88,578
Stockholders' equity:
	Special voting preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share				-				-			-
	Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share				117				120			124
	Class B common stock, $0.01 par value per share				9				9			9
	Exchangeable shares, $0.01 par value				1				1			1
	Additional paid-in capital				1,365				7,818			9,411
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes				(103	)			1,639			66
	Retained earnings				68,881				64,186			100,574
		Total stockholders' equity			70,270				73,773			110,185
		Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	186,623			$	174,761		$	198,763

Table B
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share and share data
				Three months ended October 31,
				2014				2013				% change
Revenues:
	Franchise fees			$	1,324			$	886			49.4	%
	Area developer fees				1,649				1,880			-12.3	%
	Royalties and advertising fees				1,199				1,180			1.6	%
	Financial products				200				169			18.3	%
	Interest income				1,784				2,200			-18.9	%
	Tax preparation fees, net of discounts				391				242			61.6	%
	Other revenue				1,187				760			56.2	%
		Total revenues			7,734				7,317			5.7	%
Operating expenses:
	Employee compensation and benefits				9,665				8,196			17.9	%
	Selling, general, and administrative expenses				10,353				7,744			33.7	%
	Area developer expense				924				705			31.1	%
	Advertising expense				2,979				2,507			18.8	%
	Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges				2,029				1,745			16.3	%
		Total operating expenses			25,950				20,897			24.2	%
		Loss from operations			(18,216	)			(13,580	)		34.1	%
Other income (expense):
	Foreign currency transaction loss				(9	)			(5	)		80.0	%
	Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities				-				188			-100.0	%
	Interest expense				(566	)			(357	)		58.5	%
		Loss before income taxes			(18,791	)			(13,754	)		36.6	%
	Income tax benefit				(7,463	)			(5,276	)		41.5	%
		Net loss		$	(11,328	)		$	(8,478	)		33.6	%
Net loss per share of Class A and Class B common stock
	Basic and diluted			$	(0.89	)		$	(0.66	)		34.8	%
Weighted-average shares outstanding					12,680,306				12,926,060			-1.9	%

Table C
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share and share data
				Six months ended October 31,
				2014				2013				% change
Revenues:
	Franchise fees			$	2,028			$	1,925			5.4	%
	Area developer fees				3,474				3,683			-5.7	%
	Royalties and advertising fees				2,893				2,629			10.0	%
	Financial products				657				618			6.3	%
	Interest income				3,978				4,434			-10.3	%
	Tax preparation fees, net of discounts				906				628			44.3	%
	Other revenue				1,637				1,465			11.7	%
		Total revenues			15,573				15,382			1.2	%
Operating expenses:
	Employee compensation and benefits				18,080				14,285			26.6	%
	Selling, general, and administrative expenses				17,878				14,010			27.6	%
	Area developer expense				1,665				1,533			8.6	%
	Advertising expense				5,861				5,191			12.9	%
	Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges				4,328				3,323			30.2	%
		Total operating expenses			47,812				38,342			24.7	%
		Loss from operations			(32,239	)			(22,960	)		40.4	%
Other income (expense):
	Foreign currency transaction loss				(10	)			(12	)		-16.7	%
	Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities				-				188			-100.0	%
	Interest expense				(867	)			(602	)		44.0	%
		Loss before income taxes			(33,116	)			(23,386	)		41.6	%
	Income tax benefit				(13,144	)			(8,981	)		46.4	%
		Net loss		$	(19,972	)		$	(14,405	)		38.6	%
Net loss per share of Class A and Class B common stock
	Basic and diluted			$	(1.56	)		$	(1.12	)		39.3	%
Weighted-average shares outstanding					12,773,789				12,910,673			-1.1	%

Table D
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited, amounts in thousands
					Six months ended October 31,
					2014				2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net loss				$	(19,972	)		$	(14,405	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
		Provision for doubtful accounts				3,208				3,430
		Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges				4,328				3,323
		Stock-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards				1,508				741
		Stock-based compensation income related to liability classified awards				-				(872	)
		Gain on bargain purchases and sales of Company-owned offices				(287	)			(518	)
		Deferred tax expense				2,158				2,598
		Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities				-				(188	)
		Changes in accrued income taxes				(30,322	)			(17,654	)
		Changes in other assets and liabilities				(1,051	)			(4,336	)
			Net cash used in operating activities			(40,430	)			(27,881	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Issuance of operating loans to franchisees					(20,577	)			(17,420	)
	Payments received on operating loans to franchisees					1,770				1,230
	Purchases of Company-owned offices and area developer rights					(2,701	)			(4,436	)
	Proceeds from sale of Company-owned offices and area developer rights					3,300				205
	Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities					-				456
	Purchases of property, equipment, and software					(7,129	)			(5,463	)
			Net cash used in investing activities			(25,337	)			(25,428	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from the exercise of stock options					8,145				2,998
	Repurchase of common stock					(33,699	)			(2,495	)
	Repayment of amounts due to former area developers					(4,211	)			(1,439	)
	Repayment of other long-term debt					(928	)			(979	)
	Borrowings under revolving credit facility					52,874				43,104
	Repayments under revolving credit facility					(1,163	)			(4,645	)
	Payment for debt issue costs					(917	)			-
	Tax benefit of stock option exercises					4,273				416
			Net cash provided by financing activities			24,374				36,960
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, net						(82	)			(57	)
			Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(41,475	)			(16,406	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period						46,080				19,013
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period					$	4,605			$	2,607
Supplemental cash flow data:
	Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest				$	578			$	455
	Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds					10,748				6,143

Three Months Ended October 31, 2014
			Revenues			Expenses			Loss from Operations				EBITDA				Pretax Loss				Net Loss				EPS
As Reported			$	7,734		$	25,950		$	(18,216	)		$	(16,196	)		$	(18,791	)		$	(11,328	)		$	(0.89	)
Adjustments:
Gain on available-for-sale securities				-			-			-				-				-				-				-
Executive severance(1)				-			(1,134	)		1,134				1,134				1,134				684				0.05
Restatement costs				-			-			-				-				-				-				-
Litigation settlements				(37	)		(2,130	)		2,093				2,093				2,093				1,262				0.10
	Subtotal of adjustments			(37	)		(3,264	)		3,227				3,227				3,227				1,946				0.15
As Adjusted				7,697			22,686			(14,989	)			(12,969	)			(15,564	)			(9,382	)			(0.74	)
Stock-based compensation expense				-			(420	)		420				420
As Adjusted			$	7,697		$	22,266		$	(14,569	)		$	(12,549	)

Three Months Ended October 31, 2013
			Revenues			Expenses			Loss from Operations				EBITDA				Pretax Loss				Net Loss				EPS
As Reported			$	7,317		$	20,897		$	(13,580	)		$	(11,652	)		$	(13,754	)		$	(8,478	)		$	(0.66	)
Adjustments:
Gain on available-for-sale securities				-			-			-				(188	)			(188	)			(116	)			(0.01	)
Executive severance(1)				-			(614	)		614				614				614				378				0.03
Restatement costs				-			(693	)		693				693				693				427				0.04
Litigation settlements				(44	)		(60	)		16				16				16				10				-
	Subtotal of adjustments			(44	)		(1,367	)		1,323				1,135				1,135				699				0.06
As Adjusted				7,273			19,530			(12,257	)			(10,517	)			(12,619	)			(7,779	)			(0.60	)
Stock-based compensation expense				-			(466	)		466				466
As Adjusted			$	7,273		$	19,064		$	(11,791	)		$	(10,051	)
(1) Includes stock based compensation expense

Table F
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data
We report our financial results in accordance with generall accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, we believe certain non-GAAP performance measure and ratios used in managing the business may provide additional meaningful comparisons between current year results and prior periods. Reconciliations to GAAP financial measures are provided below. These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, not as an alternative for, our reported GAAP results.
Six Months Ended October 31, 2014
			Revenues			Expenses			Loss from Operations				EBITDA				Pretax Loss				Net Loss				EPS
As Reported			$	15,573		$	47,812		$	(32,239	)		$	(27,921	)		$	(33,116	)		$	(19,972	)		$	(1.56	)
Adjustments:
Gain on available-for-sale securities				-			-			-				-				-				-				-
Executive severance(1)				-			(1,617	)		1,617				1,617				1,617				975				0.08
Restatement costs				-			-			-				-				-				-				-
Litigation settlements				(41	)		(2,130	)		2,089				2,089				2,089				1,260				0.09
	Subtotal of adjustments			(41	)		(3,747	)		3,706				3,706				3,706				2,235				0.17
As Adjusted				15,532			44,065			(28,533	)			(24,215	)			(29,410	)			(17,737	)			(1.39	)
Stock-based compensation expense				-			(914	)		914				914
As Adjusted			$	15,532		$	43,151		$	(27,619	)		$	(23,301	)

Six Months Ended October 31, 2013
			Revenues			Expenses			Loss from Operations				EBITDA				Pretax Loss				Net Loss				EPS
As Reported			$	15,382		$	38,342		$	(22,960	)		$	(19,461	)		$	(23,386	)		$	(14,405	)		$	(1.12	)
Adjustments:
Gain on available-for-sale securities				-			-			-				(188	)			(188	)			(116	)			(0.01	)
Executive severance(1)				-			(614	)		614				614				614				378				0.03
Reclassification of stock-based compensation expense(2)				-			872			(872	)			(872	)			(872	)			(537	)			(0.04	)
Restatement costs				-			(792	)		792				792				792				488				0.04
Litigation settlements				(46	)		(60	)		14				14				14				9				-
	Subtotal of adjustments			(46	)		(594	)		548				360				360				222				0.02
As Adjusted				15,336			37,748			(22,412	)			(19,101	)			(23,026	)			(14,183	)			(1.10	)
Stock-based compensation expense				-			(641	)		641				641
As Adjusted			$	15,336		$	37,107		$	(21,771	)		$	(18,460	)
(1) Includes stock based compensation expense
(2) Related to conversion from liability to equity instruments