Congratulations
ATAX's founder, president & CEO Rafael Alvarez for receiving the
IFA’S RONALD E. HARRISON DIVERSITY AWARD
Join us congratulate Rafael Alvarez!
The International Franchise Association (IFA) has awarded its premier honor for accomplishments in diversity and inclusion, the IFA Ronald E. Harrison Award, to Rafael Alvarez, president, CEO and founder of ATAX Franchise, Inc. IFA’s Ronald Harrison award recognizes organizations and/or individuals who have made significant contributions to minorities in franchising either within their franchise organization or within the franchise community.
Mr. Alvarez's Speech at the IFA's Award Ceremony
Watch a short video about Mr. Alvarez, accepting the award and giving his speech at the IFA's awards. The International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide.
Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising.
About Rafael Alvarez
ATAX Founder, President & CEO
With 28 years of experience within the tax preparation industry and after a strategic analysis of the tax preparation and the financial services industry, Alvarez identified a lack of a nationwide tax preparation franchise owned by a Hispanic or that were focusing in the Latino community.
In 1986 with $200, 2 Computers, a Fax Machine and a $1000 loan from 18 of his friends, Mr. Alvarez opened his first tax preparation office. In 2005 Mr. Alvarez business went Viral, he has built one of the largest tax preparation practices in the U.S., preparing more than 10,000 personal tax returns and about 500 corporate tax returns out of a single office.
In 2007, ATAX Accounting and Financial Services was officially established as a franchise offering, becoming the first Latino-owned Franchise Company in the Tax Preparation industries and one of the fastest growing franchise companies in the nation. Today, Mr. Alvarez has assembled the "ATAX Dream Team" composed by a group of veterans in Franchising, Marketing, IT, Cloud Technology, Accounting, and Tax Preparation industries with over 250 years of experience combined. Mr. Alvarez and his Dream Team are ready to take ATAX to the next level by opening hundred or perhaps thousands of locations all over The United States.
ATAX's Timeline
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Mr. Alvarez started Alvarez Tax in 1986
Opened first tax preparation business with $200, 2 computers and a fax machine.
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High Number of Tax Returns Milestone
In 2005, Mr Alvarez's business went completely viral, preparing 10,000 personal tax returns and about 500 corporate tax returns out of one single office.
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Started ATAX Franchise
In 2007, Mr. Alvarez stablished ATAX, the first latino owned tax preparation franchise in the United States. ATAX franchise started with 10 locations in New York City.
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ATAX Continue Growth
In 2009, ATAX franchise opened 12 locations between New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
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ATAX Continue Expanding
In 2010, ATAX expanded to Rhode Island.
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ATAX Expanding to New Territory: Florida
In 2011, ATAX open new location in Ocala, FL.
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ATAX Goes Through Corporate Re-structuring
In 2012, ATAX re-structuring and headquarters moved to Yonkers, NY. Proud member of Vetfran, MinorityFran, IFA
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ATAX Receives Top Minority Franchise Award
In 2012, ATAX receives the 3rd Top Minority Franchise Award in the United States.
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ATAX Receives a Number of Awards
In 2013, USA Today's Top 50 Franchises for Minorities in 2013, Mr. Alvarez recognized by el Diario La Prensa "El Award" for most successful latinos in New York city and member of CUNY Dominican Institute BlueBook. ATAX partnered with Xero Beautiful accounting. The #1 International Cloud Bookkeeping Platform.
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Awards & Expansion to New Territories
In 2014, ATAX is recognized as one of the Top 50 Low Cost Franchises in the nation by Franchise Business Review. Recognized by USA Today. In addition, ATAX opened new offices in Sunrise, FL and Houston, TX, and Augusta, GA. ATAX CEO & President Rafael Alvarez became a member of the Xero Partner Advisory Council (XPAC).
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Mr. Alvarez Received IFA's Ronald E. Harrison Diversity Award
In 2015, The International Franchise Association (IFA) has awarded its premier honor for accomplishments in diversity and inclusion, the IFA Ronald E. Harrison Award, to Rafael Alvarez. ATAX recognized as one of the Top 200 Best of the Best Franchises in the nation by Franchise Business Review. ATAX earned Xero's Emerging Partner of the Year Award in Xercon 2015 at Denver, Colorado.
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Recent Awards
In 2016, Hostos Community College recognized Mr. Alvarez recognition during the Hispanic Heritage Month.
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West Coast Expansion & Awards
In 2017, Mr. Alvarez graduated from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Latino Business Action Network. Mr. Alvarez decided to open up ATAX West Coast headquarters in the city of San Francisco, CA.
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ATAX Live Launch & La Nacional Partnership
In 2018, ATAX partnered with Envios La Nacional to establish an ATAX location in over 100 La Nacional locations nationwide. Launched ATAX Live, an innovative mobile app to allow clients to file their taxes from anywhere, anytime.