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 $340,000 to Metro-St. Louis Community Tax Coalition, Inc. under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program (CFDA 21.009) on October 1, 2025. The award funds free tax return preparation and filing services for low- to moderate-income and underserved populations, including persons with disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, Native Americans, rural residents, military members and their families, and elderly taxpayers. The recipient must ensure that at least 90 percent of prepared returns serve individuals whose earned income does not exceed Earned Income Tax Credit thresholds and must file all eligible returns electronically. The grant period runs through September 30, 2026, with place of performance across the United States. Metro-St. Louis Community Tax Coalition may engage subrecipients to deliver key program elements provided they adhere to grant 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.