1.19.2006 ET

(CSRwire) LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2006--Liberty Tax Service, the fastest-growing tax service ever, opens their doors to their newest branch at 4961 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. "We are excited to be expanding Liberty's operations in Los Angeles," said John Hewitt, CEO and Founder of Liberty Tax Service. "We pledge quality computerized tax preparation and superb customer service to the people of Los Angeles."

Franchisee co-owner Mayer Dallal is looking forward to business in 2006. "We are thrilled about opening in a neighborhood that caters to many businesses. It will be a great opportunity to grow and be partners with our local neighbors." What attracted him to this franchise, states Dallal, was "John Hewitt's proven track record. He took HR Block and Jackson Hewitt and made them one of the most successful franchises, and has proven his success over and over."

Liberty Tax will have their official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday, January 22nd, at noon. They will be collecting old cell phones from visitors and donating them to Cell Phones for Soldiers. Dallal reiterates, "Community involvement is the key to understanding the businesses and residents around us, and giving back to our military overseas is such a small thing compared to what they do for America each and every day."

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a non-profit organization that recycles used cell phones and issues phone calling cards for soldiers. The young founders of Cell Phones for Soldiers, 13-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12-year-old brother Robbie of Norwell, Massachusetts, were disturbed after hearing a news story about an American soldier in Iraq with a phone bill over $7000. They started Cell Phones for Soldiers (www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com) with snack money, and have recruited sponsors and cell phone companies to help.

The Bergquists vow to continue their mission as long as any soldiers are stationed overseas, and have received many recent accolades for their work. Brittany Bergquist was named "one of the teens who will change the world" by Teen People in 2005. For making a difference, Montel Williams awarded Brittany and Robbie a trip to Disneyland when they appeared on his show November 25, 2005. Recently Brittany and Robbie told their story to Nick News, which airs on the Nickelodeon Channel. The kids estimate they have raised close to $1 million in phone card credit.

Liberty Tax Service (www.libertytax.com) has served over 3 million customers. The company provides free tax advice and free checking of self-prepared returns at each office. In January 2006, Entrepreneur magazine ranked Liberty Tax Service as #10 on its Franchise 500 overall list of best franchises. Accounting Today magazine ranked Liberty fastest growing on its list of top 100 tax & accounting companies released in March 2005. The company is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Liberty Tax Service is a National Premier Partner with Cell Phones for Soldiers.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

For more information please contact: