Empire Justice Center

Purpose: the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Grant Was Established as a Matching Grant Program to Provide Funding for Organizations Who Support Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Activities to Be Performed: the Vita Grant Program Provides Financial Support to Organizations Who 1) Extend Services to Underserved Populations in Hardest to Reach Areas Both Urban and Non-urban; 2) Increase the Capacity to File Returns Electronically; 3) Heighten Quality Control; 4) Enhance Training of Volunteers; and 5) Significantly Improve the Accuracy Rate of Returns Prepared at Vita Sites. End Goal/expected Outcomes: Vita Grant Recipients Are Expected to 1) Follow Existing Guidance Governing Vita Site Operations; 2) Ensure at Least 90% of Returns Prepared Are for Individuals Whose Income Is Equal to or Less Than the Maximum Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Thresholds; 2) File All Eligible Returns Electronically; 3) Achieve 100% of Their Return Production Goals; 4) Become More Efficient With Grant Funds; and 5) Show Incremental Increases in Return Preparation Each Year. Intended Beneficiaries: Taxpayers Who Are Low to Moderate Income Individuals, Persons With Disabilities, Those for Whom English Is a Second Language, Native Americans, Individuals Living in Rural Areas, Members of the Armed Forces and Their Families, and the Elderly. Subrecipient Activities: Subrecipients May Be Utilized by Grant Recipients to Help Deliver Key Elements of the Program and Must Adhere to Grant Program Guidelines. Broadband: Specific Activities Relating to Broadband Usage Are Not Known at the Time of Award.