The volunteer income tax assistance (vita) grant was established as a matching grant program to provide funding for organizations who support community volunteer income tax assistance

The Internal Revenue Service awarded the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania $420,000 under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program (CFDA 21.009) on October 1, 2025, for a performance period ending September 30, 2026.

The award funds free tax return preparation and electronic filing services delivered through VITA sites in southwestern Pennsylvania serving low-to-moderate-income and underserved populations. The recipient must ensure at least 90% of returns prepared serve taxpayers at or below earned income tax credit thresholds, file all eligible returns electronically, achieve 100% of return production goals, and demonstrate year-over-year incremental increases in return volume. Grant-supported activities include enhancing volunteer training, strengthening quality control, expanding electronic return filing capacity, and improving return accuracy at VITA sites in both urban and non-urban areas.

Intended beneficiaries include low-to-moderate-income individuals, persons with disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, Native Americans, rural residents, members of the Armed Forces and their families, and elderly taxpayers. The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania may engage subrecipients to deliver key program elements while maintaining adherence to VITA program guidelines. The award is a one-year Project Grant with a matching grant structure requiring documented matching funds from the recipient.

Activities

The vita grant program provides financial support to organizations who 1) extend services to underserved populations in hardest to reach areas both urban and non-urban; 2) increase the capacity to file returns electronically; 3) heighten quality control; 4) enhance training of volunteers; and 5) significantly improve the accuracy rate of returns prepared at vita sites. End goal/expected outcomes: vita grant recipients are expected to 1) follow existing guidance governing vita site operations; 2) ensure at least 90% of returns prepared are for individuals whose income is equal to or less than the maximum earned income tax credit (eitc) thresholds; 2) file all eligible returns electronically; 3) achieve 100% of their return production goals; 4) become more efficient with grant funds; and 5) show incremental increases in return preparation each year.

Intended beneficiaries

Taxpayers who are low to moderate income individuals, persons with disabilities, those for whom english is a second language, native americans, individuals living in rural areas, members of the armed forces and their families, and the elderly.

Subrecipient activities

Subrecipients may be utilized by grant recipients to help deliver key elements of the program and must adhere to grant program guidelines. Broadband: specific activities relating to broadband usage are not known at the time of award.