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 Community Tax Aid Inc. one hundred thirty thousand dollars on October 1, 2025, under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program (CFDA 21.009). The award funds free tax return preparation and filing services for low- to moderate-income and underserved populations, including persons with disabilities, non-native English speakers, Native Americans, rural residents, military members and their families, and elderly taxpayers. Community Tax Aid Inc., a Washington, DC-based nonprofit, must ensure at least 90 percent of prepared returns serve individuals whose income does not exceed Earned Income Tax Credit thresholds, file 100 percent of eligible returns electronically, and achieve incremental increases in annual return preparation volume. The period of performance runs through September 30, 2026, with place of performance across the United States. As a matching grant, Community Tax Aid Inc. must provide non-federal matching funds equal to the federal award amount. The organization may utilize subrecipients to deliver program elements while maintaining compliance with VITA program guidelines.

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.