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Form 8-K Liberty Tax, Inc. For: Dec 05

December 8, 2014 6:41 AM EST

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
______________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):��December 8, 2014

LIBERTY TAX, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Delaware
(State of Incorporation)
001-35588
(Commission File Number)
27-3561876
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

1716 Corporate Landing Parkway, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)��(Zip Code)

(757) 493-8855
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

� �
Item 2.02.���� Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On December 8, 2014, Liberty Tax,�Inc. (the Company) issued a press release regarding its earnings for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending April�30, 2015.� A copy of the release is being furnished as Exhibit�99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.� In addition, on December 8, 2014 at 8:30�a.m. Eastern Time, the Company will hold a teleconference for analysts, institutional investors and stockholders to discuss results for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending April�30, 2015.
The information under Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form�8-K, including Exhibit�99.1, shall not be deemed filed for the purposes of Section�18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.


Item 9.01.����������������������Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)
Exhibits

Exhibit Number
Description
99.1
Press Release dated December 8, 2014.



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

LIBERTY TAX, INC.
Date:��December 8, 2014
By:/s/ James J. Wheaton����������������������������������������������������
������James J. Wheaton
������Vice President and General Counsel







EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 99.1����������������������Press Release dated December 8, 2014.



`

CONTACTS:
Investors:��Kathy Donovan
Media:��Martha O'Gorman
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Chief Marketing Officer
(757) 493-8855
(757) 301-8022

Liberty Tax Service Reports Fiscal 2015 Second Quarter Results

Virginia Beach, Va. (December 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 Companys 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.

--1--


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 Companys 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 Companys 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 Companys 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 Taxs 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

--2--


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 Companys 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 Companys 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.

--3--


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


--4--


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%

--5--


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%

--6--


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



--7--


Table E
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.
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

--8--


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

--9--


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