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 United Way of Central Texas a $100,000 Project Grant under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program (CFDA 21.009) on October 1, 2025.

United Way will deliver free tax return preparation and filing services to low- to moderate-income populations in Texas, including persons with disabilities, English language learners, Native Americans, rural residents, military families, and elderly taxpayers. The organization will expand electronic tax return filing capacity, enhance volunteer preparer training, strengthen quality control measures, and improve return accuracy. United Way must ensure at least 90 percent of returns prepared serve individuals whose earned income does not exceed Earned Income Tax Credit thresholds, file all eligible returns electronically, and achieve 100 percent of annual return production goals. The grant carries a matching requirement. Performance extends through September 30, 2026. United Way may utilize subrecipients to deliver program elements provided they adhere to established grant 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.