Founded in 2000 by Fesum Ogbazion, Instant Tax Service was a Dayton, Ohio-based tax preparation company that operated through a franchise model. It grew rapidly, primarily targeting low-income taxpayers with promises of fast refunds through products like refund anticipation loans. The company's business model and practices led to a major investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, which found the company was engaged in pervasive fraud. This resulted in a permanent injunction in 2013 that closed the company and its franchises, and the founder was subsequently convicted and imprisoned.

Founded in

United States