Opportunity Information: Apply for VITA 2015
Apply for VITA 2015
- The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 2015" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 21.009 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 23, 2014 and posted on May 1, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 2, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $12,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 200 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Private institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) County governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 2015 grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: VITA 2015) is a discretionary federal grant program administered through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) framework. Its purpose is to fund organizations that already support or operate VITA services so they can expand and strengthen free federal tax return preparation and electronic filing assistance for eligible taxpayers. The program is positioned as a supplement to existing VITA efforts rather than a stand-alone initiative, meaning grantees are expected to build on established operations and increase their ability to deliver compliant, high-quality services in their communities.
The IRS lays out five central objectives for the funding. First, it aims to extend VITA services to underserved populations in the hardest-to-reach areas, including both urban and non-urban communities where access to reliable tax preparation help may be limited. Second, it seeks to increase electronic filing capacity so more returns can be filed efficiently and in line with IRS expectations. Third, it emphasizes improved quality control, signaling that funded organizations should strengthen oversight, review processes, and site-level management to reduce errors and maintain program integrity. Fourth, the grant supports enhanced training for volunteers, recognizing that volunteer preparedness is directly tied to service quality and taxpayer outcomes. Fifth, the program is intended to significantly improve the accuracy rate of returns prepared at VITA sites, reinforcing that the IRS is prioritizing correctness, consistency, and compliance across the volunteer-run network.
A key condition of receiving funds is that grant recipients must follow existing IRS guidance that governs VITA site operations. In practice, this means the grant does not replace the standard rules VITA sites already operate under; it reinforces them. In addition, recipients are required to file all eligible returns electronically, aligning the funded work with IRS goals related to processing speed, data quality, and streamlined administration.
In terms of funding scale and structure, the IRS anticipated making about 200 awards under this opportunity, with an estimated total funding amount of $12,000,000. Individual awards could range from a $1,000 minimum (award floor) up to $1,000,000 maximum (award ceiling). The opportunity falls under CFDA number 21.009, titled the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program, and it includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants should expect to contribute matching resources consistent with program rules.
Eligibility is broad and designed to include many types of community-serving entities that can operate or expand VITA services. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that category), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. This range reflects the program’s community-based delivery model and the IRS preference for partnering with organizations that have local reach and the capacity to recruit, train, and manage volunteers.
The announcement timeline shows it was posted on May 1, 2014 (created April 23, 2014), with an application closing date of June 2, 2014, and an archive date of October 1, 2014. For applicants needing support accessing the full announcement or related materials, the notice lists a Grant Program Office contact phone number: 404-338-7894, and references an additional information link described as “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Overview and Application Instructions,†which would typically contain the detailed requirements, allowable uses of funds, reporting expectations, and application components.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 2015 (VITA 2015) Grant FAQs
1) What is the VITA 2015 grant opportunity?
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 2015 grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: VITA 2015) is a discretionary federal grant program administered through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) framework. It provides funding to help organizations expand and strengthen free federal tax return preparation and electronic filing services for eligible taxpayers.
2) What is the purpose of this grant?
The purpose is to fund organizations that already support or operate VITA services so they can expand their capacity and improve the delivery of compliant, high-quality, free federal tax preparation and e-filing assistance in their communities.
3) Is this grant meant to start a brand-new VITA program from scratch?
No. The opportunity is positioned as a supplement to existing VITA efforts rather than a stand-alone initiative. Grantees are expected to build on established operations and increase their ability to deliver services.
4) What are the central objectives of the funding?
The IRS lists five central objectives:
- Extend VITA services to underserved populations in hardest-to-reach areas, including urban and non-urban communities.
- Increase electronic filing capacity.
- Improve quality control through stronger oversight, review processes, and site-level management.
- Enhance training for volunteers.
- Significantly improve the accuracy rate of returns prepared at VITA sites.
5) Who is the grant intended to help (in terms of taxpayers and communities)?
The grant is designed to expand access for eligible taxpayers, with a particular emphasis on underserved populations in hardest-to-reach locations, including both urban and non-urban areas where reliable tax preparation assistance may be limited.
6) What does the IRS mean by increasing electronic filing capacity?
It means helping funded organizations file more tax returns electronically so returns can be submitted efficiently and in line with IRS expectations for modernized filing and streamlined administration.
7) What quality control expectations are highlighted in the announcement?
The announcement emphasizes improved quality control and program integrity. Funded organizations are expected to strengthen oversight, review processes, and site-level management to help reduce errors and maintain high standards across operations.
8) Why is volunteer training a specific focus of the grant?
The IRS emphasizes enhanced training because volunteer preparedness is directly tied to service quality and taxpayer outcomes. Stronger training is presented as a core lever to improve consistency and accuracy.
9) What does the grant prioritize regarding accuracy of tax returns?
A stated objective is to significantly improve the accuracy rate of returns prepared at VITA sites, reinforcing a focus on correctness, consistency, and compliance across the volunteer-run network.
10) Are grantees required to follow existing IRS VITA guidance?
Yes. A key condition of receiving funds is that grant recipients must follow existing IRS guidance governing VITA site operations. The grant reinforces the standard rules VITA sites already operate under.
11) Is electronic filing required for returns prepared under this grant?
Yes. Recipients are required to file all eligible returns electronically, aligning funded work with IRS goals related to processing speed, data quality, and streamlined administration.
12) What is the expected number of awards and total funding amount?
The IRS anticipated making about 200 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $12,000,000.
13) What is the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards could range from a $1,000 minimum (award floor) up to a $1,000,000 maximum (award ceiling).
14) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The opportunity falls under CFDA number 21.009, titled the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program.
15) Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants should expect to contribute matching resources consistent with program rules.
16) Who is eligible to apply for VITA 2015 funding?
Eligibility includes a broad set of organizations and government entities capable of operating or expanding VITA services, including:
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that category)
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
17) Are 501(c)(3) colleges and universities eligible under the nonprofit category?
The eligibility statement specifies nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education in that category. (Separate eligibility categories are listed for public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education.)
18) Why does the eligibility list include many different organization types?
The range of eligible applicants reflects the program's community-based delivery model and the IRS preference for partnering with organizations that have local reach and the capacity to recruit, train, and manage volunteers.
19) When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?
The announcement was posted on May 1, 2014 (created April 23, 2014). The application closing date was June 2, 2014.
20) When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date listed for this opportunity is October 1, 2014.
21) Where can applicants find the detailed announcement requirements and application instructions?
The notice references an additional information link described as "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Overview and Application Instructions," which would typically include detailed requirements, allowable uses of funds, reporting expectations, and application components.
22) Who can be contacted for help accessing the full announcement or related materials?
The notice lists a Grant Program Office contact phone number: 404-338-7894.
23) What kinds of improvements is the IRS expecting grantees to make to their VITA operations?
Based on the stated objectives, the IRS is expecting improvements such as expanded service reach into underserved and hardest-to-reach areas, increased e-filing volume and capacity, strengthened quality control and site management, better volunteer training, and measurable improvements in return accuracy.
24) How does this grant relate to existing VITA site operations?
It is designed to reinforce and scale established VITA services. It does not replace existing VITA operational rules; instead, it provides resources so organizations already involved in VITA can expand and strengthen what they are already doing under existing IRS guidance.
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