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 Denver Asset Building Coalition $135,000 under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program (CFDA 21.009) on October 1, 2025. The award requires $135,000 in non-federal matching funds and supports the recipient's operation of VITA sites that prepare free tax returns for low- to moderate-income individuals and underserved populations, including persons with disabilities, limited English proficiency speakers, Native Americans, rural residents, Armed Forces members and their families, and elderly taxpayers. The recipient must file at least 90 percent of returns electronically, maintain returns prepared for individuals whose income does not exceed the earned income tax credit (EITC) threshold at 90 percent or higher, and achieve 100 percent of annual return production goals. Performance period runs through September 30, 2026, with place of performance in Colorado. The VITA grant program funds organizations to extend services to underserved populations in both urban and non-urban areas, increase electronic filing capacity, heighten quality control, enhance volunteer training, and improve return accuracy rates.

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.