Grant Applications Open for Volunteer Tax Prep Clinics

The IRS is accepting applications for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grant programs, as well as for the 2017 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic grant program.

TCE and VITA application packages are on Grants.gov. All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by June 1.

Electronic versions of the grant application package instructions, Publication 1101 for TCE and Publication 4671 for VITA are on IRS.gov.

The TCE program was established in 1978 to provide tax counseling and preparation for those 60 and older. Volunteers who provide free federal income tax help to seniors nationwide receive free training and technical assistance.

The VITA program was created in 1969 to provide free federal income tax filing assistance to underserved communities.

The application period for the 2017 LITC grants runs to June 20.

The LITC program awards matching grants of up to $100,000 per year to qualifying organizations to develop, expand or maintain a low-income taxpayer clinic to ensure the fairness and integrity of the tax system for taxpayers who are low income or speak English as a second language by providing pro bono representation on their behalf in tax disputes with the IRS, educating them about their rights and responsibilities as taxpayers, and identifying and advocating for issues that impact low-income taxpayers. An LITC must provide services for free or for no more than a nominal fee.

LITC clinics, employees and volunteers operate independently from the IRS.

Copies of the 2017 Grant Application Package and Guidelines can be downloaded from IRS.gov or ordered by calling the IRS at (800) 829-3676.

The IRS is authorized to award a multi-year grant not to exceed three years. For an organization not currently receiving a grant for 2016, an organization that received a single-year grant for 2016, or an organization whose multi-year grant ends in 2016, the organization must submit the application electronically at Grants.gov. For an organization currently receiving a grant for 2016 that is requesting funding for the second or third year of a multi-year grant, the organization must submit the funding request electronically at GrantSolutions.gov. All organizations must use the funding number of TREAS-GRANTS-052017-001.

For questions about the LITC Program or grant application process, call the LITC Program Office at (202) 317-4700 or e-mail LITCProgramOffice@irs.gov.

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