Opportunity Information: Apply for VITA 2027
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant (Funding Opportunity Number: VITA 2027) is a discretionary federal grant program that helps support organizations running IRS-affiliated VITA sites that provide free tax return preparation for underserved communities. The purpose of the program is to expand and strengthen access to reliable, no-cost tax help during the filing season, especially for people who might otherwise face barriers to filing accurately or claiming credits and refunds they are eligible for. VITA partners typically serve low- to moderate-income taxpayers, people with disabilities, older adults, limited English proficient taxpayers, Native American communities, and military members and families.
This opportunity is administered under CFDA/Assistance Listing 21.009 and provides grant funding on a matching basis, meaning recipients are expected to contribute non-federal resources that match the grant award according to program rules. The IRS uses these funds to support the operational needs of participating VITA programs that deliver services in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Funding can help organizations sustain and scale tax preparation services at community-based locations, which may include coordinating volunteer recruitment, training, site operations, scheduling, quality review processes, and other costs necessary to run an effective free tax preparation program during peak filing months.
Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and city or township governments; federally recognized tribal governments; other tribal organizations; 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education); and private institutions of higher education. This eligibility design reflects how VITA services are often delivered through a mix of public agencies, community nonprofits, tribal entities, and campus-based programs, all of which may be positioned to reach taxpayers who benefit most from free tax assistance.
The application window for this opportunity closes on 2026-05-31. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is listed as $2,000,000, and the IRS expects to make approximately 325 awards. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the listed activity category is "Other," consistent with the program’s service-delivery and community assistance focus rather than a narrow research or infrastructure purpose. Overall, the VITA Matching Grant is designed to reinforce a nationwide network of trusted local partners that help eligible taxpayers file correctly, reduce errors, and improve access to refunds and tax credits that can be financially significant for households with limited income.Apply for VITA 2027
- The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 21.009.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 325 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant (VITA 2027) - FAQs
What is the VITA Matching Grant (Funding Opportunity Number: VITA 2027)?
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant (Funding Opportunity Number: VITA 2027) is a discretionary federal grant program that supports organizations operating IRS-affiliated VITA sites. These sites provide free tax return preparation services, with a focus on helping underserved communities access reliable, no-cost tax help during the filing season.
What is the purpose of the VITA Matching Grant program?
The purpose of the program is to expand and strengthen access to dependable, free tax preparation. It is designed to help people who may face barriers to filing accurately or to claiming the tax credits and refunds they are eligible for.
Who do VITA sites typically serve?
VITA partners typically serve low- to moderate-income taxpayers, people with disabilities, older adults, limited English proficient taxpayers, Native American communities, and military members and families.
Is this a competitive or discretionary grant?
This opportunity is described as a discretionary federal grant program.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The program is administered under CFDA/Assistance Listing 21.009.
What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What does it mean that this is a "matching" grant?
This opportunity provides funding on a matching basis. That means recipients are expected to contribute non-federal resources that match the grant award according to program rules.
Which federal agency administers the VITA Matching Grant?
The IRS administers this funding opportunity and uses the funds to support operational needs of participating VITA programs.
Where can funded VITA services be delivered?
The IRS supports VITA programs delivering services in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.
What kinds of activities can the grant funding support?
Funding can support the operational needs of VITA programs that provide free tax preparation. Examples mentioned include coordinating volunteer recruitment, training, site operations, scheduling, and quality review processes, as well as other costs necessary to run an effective free tax preparation program during peak filing months.
Does the opportunity focus on research or community service delivery?
The listed activity category is "Other," reflecting a service-delivery and community assistance focus rather than a narrow research or infrastructure purpose.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; federally recognized tribal governments; other tribal organizations; 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education); and private institutions of higher education.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Private institutions of higher education are eligible. The eligibility list also notes that 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible excluding institutions of higher education.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included as eligible applicants.
Are local and state government entities eligible?
Yes. State, county, and city or township governments are eligible.
What is the application deadline for VITA 2027?
The application window for this opportunity closes on 2026-05-31.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed for this opportunity is $2,000,000.
How many awards does the IRS expect to make?
The IRS expects to make approximately 325 awards.
What is the main goal of funding VITA sites nationwide?
The program is designed to reinforce a nationwide network of trusted local partners that help eligible taxpayers file correctly, reduce errors, and improve access to refunds and tax credits that can be financially significant for households with limited income.
What kinds of service locations can be supported?
The opportunity notes that funding can help organizations sustain and scale tax preparation services at community-based locations.
Why does the program emphasize quality review processes?
Quality review is mentioned as one of the operational elements funding can support, aligning with the program goal of helping eligible taxpayers file correctly and reducing errors.
Is this program connected to IRS-affiliated VITA sites specifically?
Yes. The grant supports organizations running IRS-affiliated VITA sites that provide free tax return preparation.
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