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 Action Partnership of Kern $375,500 under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program (CFDA 21.009) on October 1, 2025, to support free tax return preparation for low- to moderate-income populations in California.

The recipient will extend VITA services to underserved populations in hardest-to-reach urban and non-urban areas, increase capacity to file returns electronically, heighten quality control, enhance volunteer training, and improve return preparation accuracy. Performance expectations include ensuring at least 90 percent of returns prepared serve individuals at or below the earned income tax credit threshold, filing all eligible returns electronically, meeting return production goals, and demonstrating year-over-year incremental increases in return preparation activity.

The program targets low- to moderate-income individuals, persons with disabilities, those for whom English is a second language, Native Americans, individuals in rural areas, members of the Armed Forces and their families, and the elderly. The award runs through September 30, 2026. Sub-recipients may deliver key program elements and must adhere to grant guidelines. Matching funds documentation is required, and the recipient must maintain records in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for three years following final report submission.

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.