The IRS announced that it has awarded nearly $8 million in matching grants to support its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The funds will be divided between 147 organizations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Richard Byrd, Jr., the Commissioner for the IRS Wage and Investment Operating Division, said of the distributions, “We’re proud to support the VITA program and their volunteer tax preparers who provide an invaluable service to millions of taxpayers.”
VITA, which was created in 1969, is a volunteer program which aids low and moderate income taxpayers. Generally, this means individuals and families with adjusted gross incomes of $49,000 or lower. In 2009, more than 3 million tax returns were prepared at nearly 12,000 locations through VITA and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
You can see a list of organizations which received funds, including the amounts, here (downloads as a pdf).
Notably absent on the list?
Yep, ACORN. No surprise here.