Instant Tax Service, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio has its roots in a single office located within a small retail plaza. Veteran staffers and long-time customers commonly refer to this office as Mount Healthy, after the name of the city where it was located. Mount Healthy was originally established as a haven for people fleeing a cholera epidemic in the nineteenth century, but is now part of Cincinnati's suburban sprawl. Despite its humble beginnings, Mount Healthy proved to be a wonderful location to build a business. The very first Instant Refund Tax Service office grew from one 600-square-foot retail storefront to a 3000 square foot headquarters for our 26 regional offices over four years. Without such wonderful proving grounds, Instant Tax Service would not have enjoyed the success it does today.
Instant Tax Service Timeline
1993
- Fesum Ogbazion signs his first lease to open Instant Refund Tax Service in Cincinnati, OH.- 1994 - On January 1, Fez opens for business. He prepares and files 600 customer returns during this first year of operations.
- 1995 - Fez opens a second store and increases his business, despite a difficult year for industry giants.
- 1996 - Fez opens two additional stores, bringing his total number of locations to four. Hard work and business sense pay off, and Fez’s business doubles. Fez receives his Bachelor of Science degree in finance and accounting from the University of Cincinnati.
- 1997 - Fez hires his first full-time staff and continues expanding, doubling the number of his locations once again.
- 1998 - Instant Refund Tax Service Inc. embarks on its most ambitious expansion yet, crossing state lines and opening 16 new offices, increasing the number of retail stores to twenty-four.
1999 - Instant Refund Tax Service continues to strengthen and solidify its position as a strong regional presence in the tax preparation and electronic filing industry. Fez hires additional experienced staff members and switches software companies to improve the position of the organization and enhance customer service. Late in the year, a deal is struck to sell Instant Refund Tax Service to Jackson Hewitt Inc. Fez remains on as general manager.- 2000 - In the summer, Fez moves to Dayton, Ohio and forms Instant Tax Service with the intent of opening tax offices in five new markets nationwide. Key individuals are brought on board to facilitate the selection, opening and operations of new offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, Orlando, and Washington D.C.
- 2001 - Instant Tax Service concludes its first tax season. Fez seeks outside investment to expand and solidify current Instant Tax Service holdings. The company embarks on its second season with expansion into five new markets, including offices in California and Nevada.
- 2002 - After a second promising tax season, Instant Tax Service begins the process of corporate restructuring in order to keep abreast of changes within the industry. Additional expansion plans are made, including the development of a franchising program.
- 2003 - With three excellent tax seasons behind it, Instant Tax Service achieves profitability. Expansion plans are put into high gear. Instant Tax Service embarks on a campaign to hire highly qualified and energetic individuals to participate in its expansion plans.
- 2004 - Franchising begins its first season, and 45 units are sold.
- 2005 - Company growth continues through franchising efforts, and another 62 additional franchise units are sold. Instant Tax Service enters its fifth season with over 200 company and franchise stores.
- 2006 - Instant Tax Service exceeds its goal of doubling the number of its retail locations by operating a total of 539 stores.
- 2007 - With over 1211 locations nationwide, Instant Tax Service continue to expand and diversify its business services and partnerships. For tax year 2007, Instant Tax Service plans to have over 1,000 stores in operation.
