The company reported there was about one tenth of a percent fewer customers for the most recent period, compared to a year earlier. Offices have prepared about 909,000 tax returns, representing a decrease of the same magnitude. However, the company said revenue rose by 7 percent.

Liberty reported there were 101 more permanent store locations and 224 fewer season returned.

"We are disappointed with our results so far this year." CEO John Hewitt said in a prepared statement. "We continue to believe that the Affordable Care Act and Immigration Reform will provide tailwinds for the industry for the next several years, however, we have seen minimal impact so far this season. We believe we will see more impact in the second half of the season as more ACA filers come in to have their returns prepared."

Those comments are similar to the observations made last week by Intuit CEO Brad Smith during the webcast of its earnings for the second quarter ended January 31. Smith said that ACA had not caused those preparing their own returns to seek paid preparer assistance in any significant numbers.