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 Granite United Way $181,204 under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program (CFDA 21.009) on October 1, 2025, for free tax return preparation and electronic filing services to underserved populations in New Hampshire.

Granite United Way, a Manchester-based nonprofit, delivers free tax return preparation and electronic filing to low- to moderate-income individuals, persons with disabilities, non-native English speakers, rural residents, veterans and their families, elderly individuals, and Native Americans. The organization is required to ensure that at least 90 percent of returns prepared serve individuals with income at or below Earned Income Tax Credit thresholds and to file all eligible returns electronically. Under this award, Granite United Way expands electronic filing capacity, enhances volunteer training, strengthens quality control measures, and improves return accuracy at VITA sites.

The award runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, and requires matching non-federal funds as a condition of the grant. Performance occurs throughout New Hampshire. Granite United Way has received consecutive annual VITA awards since at least 2022, with prior obligated amounts ranging from $169,000 to $362,000.

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.