Opportunity Information: Apply for VITA 2016
Apply for VITA 2016
- 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 2016" 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 28, 2015 and posted on May 1, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 1, 2015. (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.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 210 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education State governments City or township governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) 2016 grant opportunity was a discretionary federal grant program run through the IRS, specifically through the Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC) organization. Its purpose was to strengthen and expand free federal tax return preparation services delivered through VITA sites by funding partner organizations that already support, or are prepared to support, volunteer-based tax assistance in their communities. In practical terms, the grant was meant to help organizations grow capacity and improve performance where it matters most: reaching taxpayers who are often left out of traditional services and ensuring the returns prepared are accurate, timely, and filed electronically whenever possible.
The program set out several clear objectives tied directly to service delivery and quality. A major emphasis was extending VITA services to underserved populations in the hardest-to-reach areas, including both urban and non-urban communities. The funding also aimed to increase the volume and capability of electronic filing, which generally improves efficiency and speeds refunds for taxpayers. Beyond reach and throughput, the grant strongly prioritized quality improvements, including stronger quality control processes, better volunteer training, and a significant boost in the accuracy rate of returns prepared at VITA sites. Overall, the grant was positioned as a supplement to the existing VITA program infrastructure, providing financial support to scale operations and raise standards rather than replace the core volunteer model.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity was listed under Funding Opportunity Number "VITA 2016" and titled "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 2016." The funding instrument type was a grant, and the activity focus was described as federal tax return preparation and electronic e-filing of returns. The associated CFDA number was 21.009, identified as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program, and it carried a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning recipients were expected to contribute matching resources as part of participation. The announcement projected around 210 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $12,000,000.
Eligibility was broad and designed to include many of the organizations that commonly run or host VITA programs. Eligible applicants included state governments, county governments, and city or township governments, as well as federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status were eligible, and both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education could apply. This mix reflects the reality that VITA sites are often operated by coalitions that include governments, community nonprofits, and colleges or universities that can recruit and train large numbers of volunteers.
Timing details show the opportunity was posted on May 1, 2015, with a closing date of June 1, 2015 (both the original and current closing date were the same), and it was later archived on October 5, 2015. Applicants seeking the detailed rules, application instructions, and program overview were directed to Publication 4671, which served as the primary guidance document for understanding requirements, allowable uses of funds, and how to apply. For help accessing the full announcement, the listed contact was the Grant Program Office at 404-338-7894.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) 2016 Grant - FAQs
What is the VITA 2016 grant opportunity?
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) 2016 grant opportunity was a discretionary federal grant program administered by the IRS through the Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC) organization. It was designed to strengthen and expand free federal tax return preparation services delivered through VITA sites by providing funding to partner organizations.
What was the purpose of the VITA 2016 grant?
The purpose of the grant was to help partner organizations increase capacity and improve performance in delivering free federal tax return preparation services. The program focused on reaching taxpayers who are often underserved by traditional services while improving accuracy, timeliness, and electronic filing rates where possible.
What kinds of services or activities did the grant support?
The activity focus was federal tax return preparation and electronic e-filing of returns through VITA sites. The grant was positioned as a supplement to the existing VITA infrastructure, helping scale operations and raise quality standards while preserving the volunteer-based service model.
Which IRS organization ran this grant program?
The program was run through the IRS, specifically through the Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC) organization.
What were the main objectives of the VITA 2016 grant?
The grant emphasized several objectives tied directly to service delivery and quality, including expanding services to underserved populations in hard-to-reach areas (urban and non-urban), increasing the volume and capability of electronic filing, and improving quality through stronger quality control, better volunteer training, and higher return accuracy.
Did the program prioritize specific communities?
Yes. A major emphasis was extending VITA services to underserved populations in the hardest-to-reach areas, including both urban and non-urban communities.
Why was electronic filing (e-filing) emphasized?
The program aimed to increase the volume and capability of electronic filing because it generally improves efficiency and can speed refunds for taxpayers.
What quality improvements were prioritized under the grant?
The grant strongly prioritized quality improvements such as stronger quality control processes, improved volunteer training, and a significant boost in the accuracy rate of returns prepared at VITA sites.
Was this funding intended to replace the core VITA volunteer model?
No. The grant was positioned as a supplement to the existing VITA program infrastructure, providing financial support to scale operations and raise standards rather than replace the core volunteer-based model.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number was "VITA 2016."
What is the official title of the opportunity?
The title was "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 2016."
What type of funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument type was a grant.
What CFDA number is associated with this grant?
The associated CFDA number was 21.009, identified as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program.
Was there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. The opportunity included a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning recipients were expected to contribute matching resources as part of participation.
How many awards were expected to be made?
The announcement projected approximately 210 awards.
What was the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount was $12,000,000.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants included state governments, county governments, and city or township governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status; and both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status were eligible to apply.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education were eligible to apply.
Are tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments were eligible applicants.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 1, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The closing date was June 1, 2015. The original closing date and the current closing date were the same.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on October 5, 2015.
Where could applicants find the detailed rules and application instructions?
Applicants were directed to Publication 4671 for the detailed rules, application instructions, program overview, allowable uses of funds, and other requirements.
Who could be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?
The listed contact was the Grant Program Office at 404-338-7894.
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