Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program

The VITA grant is a matching grant offered to support free tax return preparation through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Eligible organizations must serve low to moderate income individuals (defined by the earned income tax credit (EITC) threshold), persons with disabilities, persons with limited English proficiency, Native Americans, individuals living in rural areas, members of the Armed Forces and their spouses, and the elderly. Eligible organizations must meet specific goals through their VITA program which include increasing their capacity to file returns electronically, heightening quality control, enhancing training of volunteers, and significantly improving the accuracy rate of returns prepared by VITA sites.

Applicant organizations must provide proof of tax-exempt status and must meet the matching funds requirement. Applicant organizations must be compliant with federal tax obligations. Applicants must be a current partner with the Internal Revenue Service operating a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program with the Taxpayer Services SPEC organization. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Applications that pass the eligibility screening process will undergo a two-tiered evaluation process. Applications will be subject to both a technical evaluation by a ranking review panel and a secondary evaluation by the Grant Program Office.

This grant requires 100% cost sharing or matching of all federal funds awarded. For every federal dollar awarded, the applicant must commit an equal amount. For example, if you request $50,000 in grant funds, you must provide matching funds for at least $50,000. Only funds in support of the VITA Program qualify as matching funds.