Update April 26, 2013— Link to 2010 Grant Recipients has been removed as obsolete. IR-2009-103, Nov. 10, 2009 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced for the second year in a row it has awarded nearly $8 million in matching grants to support its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Under the VITA Grant Program, the IRS awarded matching grants to 147 organizations that will offer free tax preparation services during the 2010 filing season. Our VITA partners assist taxpayers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. “We're proud to support the VITA program and their volunteer tax preparers who provide an invaluable service to millions of taxpayers,” said Richard Byrd, Jr.,IRS Wage and Investment Operating Division Commissioner. The funds will be used to: Enable VITA programs to extend services to underserved populations and hardest to reach areas, both urban and non-urban Increase the capacity to file returns electronically Heighten quality control and improve the accuracy of returns prepared by the VITA sites Enhance training of volunteers There was a strong response to the 2010 VITA grant program with 360 organizations submitting applications requesting more than $30 million in matching funds, similar to the prior year. VITA partners are organizations that provide free federal tax return preparation and electronic filing to low and moderate income individuals. For tax year 2009, individuals and families with an adjusted gross income of $49,000 or lower are eligible for assistance. The VITA program has enjoyed tremendous support since it was created in 1969. For example, more than 3 million tax returns were prepared at nearly 12,000 locations during the 2009 filing season by volunteers working under either the VITA program or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly, another volunteer program sponsored by IRS. Questions can be sent to Grant.Program.Office@irs.gov. Related Item: 2010 VITA Grant Recipients Subscribe to IRS Newswire
