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 Lee County, Inc. $185,000 under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program (CFDA 21.009) on October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The recipient, doing business as United Way Of Lee, Hendry, And Glades Counties, will prepare federal tax returns for low- to moderate-income and underserved populations across southwest Florida, with required performance targeting at least 90 percent of returns filed for individuals earning at or below Earned Income Tax Credit thresholds and 100 percent electronic filing of eligible returns. The award requires non-federal matching funds equal to the federal obligated amount. Place of performance is Florida. The VITA program supports free tax return preparation and capacity building at community volunteer sites, with eligible applicants serving persons with disabilities, those with limited English proficiency, Native Americans, rural residents, members of the Armed Forces and their families, and the elderly. Recipients may utilize subrecipients to deliver key program elements in compliance with 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.