Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act

To facilitate nationwide availability of volunteer income tax assistance for low-income and underserved populations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs offer tax preparation and related financial services, free of charge, to middle- and low-income individuals and families. The majority of individuals served by VITA programs have annual household earnings below $54,000. (2) During the 2016 Federal income tax filing season, VITA programs filed more than 3.8 million Federal income tax returns. This included more than 714,000 returns for the earned income tax credit (EITC), helping program recipients claim $1.1 billion in EITC on their Federal tax refunds. One in five taxpayers who were eligible to claim the EITC failed to do so. (3) VITA programs assist underserved taxpayers, including low-wage workers, persons with disabilities, the elderly, Native Americans, rural populations, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency. (4) In 2016, clients of VITA programs electronically filed their tax returns at a much higher rate (96.5 percent) than the general population (86.4 percent). (5) Electronic returns cost the Internal Revenue Service considerably less to process ($0.22 per return) than paper returns ($4.09 per return). (6) The high rate of electronic filing by VITA sites saves the Internal Revenue Service millions of dollars per year. (7) An Internal Revenue Service survey has shown that very low-income taxpayers are twice as likely as the general population to visit a Taxpayer Assistance Center and half as likely to use the Internal Revenue Service Web site. Volunteer tax preparation programs serve as an accessible and cost-effective alternative to other Internal Revenue Service channels. (8) Internal Revenue Service estimates from fiscal year 2005 found that the volunteer preparation program cost $12.01 per contact, while Taxpayer Assistance Centers and assisted toll-free calls averaged $28.73 and $19.46 per contact, respectively. (9) The number of tax returns prepared by the VITA program increased 100 percent between the 2014 (1.9 million) and 2016 (3.8 million) tax filing seasons. (10) During tax filing season 2016, 298 organizations applied to the Internal Revenue Service seeking more than $24.3 million in grant funding through the VITA program—more than double the available resources—and 210 organizations received grants at a median grant of approximately $40,000. 3. Definitions As used in this Act: (1) Qualified return preparation program The term qualified return preparation program (A) which provides assistance to individuals, not less than 90 percent of whom are low-income taxpayers, in preparing and filing Federal income tax returns, including schedules reporting sole proprietorship or farm income, (B) which is administered by a qualified entity, (C) in which all of the volunteers who assist in the preparation of Federal income tax returns meet the training requirements prescribed by the Secretary, and (D) which uses a quality review process which reviews 100 percent of all returns. (2) Qualified entity (A) In general The term qualified entity (i) is described in subparagraph (B), (ii) is in compliance with Federal tax filing and payment requirements, (iii) is not debarred or suspended from Federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements, and (iv) agrees to provide documentation to substantiate any matching funds provided under the VITA grant program. (B) Entity described An entity is described in this subparagraph if such entity is— (i) an institution of higher education which is described in section 102 (other than subsection (a)(1)(C) thereof) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1088 (ii) an organization described in section 501(c) (iii) a State or local government agency, including— (I) a county or municipal government agency, (II) an Indian tribe, as defined in section 4(13) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 ( 25 U.S.C. 4103(13) 25 U.S.C. 4103(22) (III) a State government agency, but only if no other entity described in this subparagraph is available to assist the targeted population or community, (iv) a local, State, regional, or national coalition (with one lead organization which meets the eligibility requirements of clause (i), (ii), or (iii) acting as the applicant organization), or (v) a Cooperative Extension Service office, but only if no other entity described in this subparagraph is available to assist the targeted population or community. (3) Low-income taxpayers The term low-income taxpayer (4) Underserved population The term underserved population (5) Lead national organization The term lead national organization section 501(c) (A) capacity in a minimum of 15 States, territories, or tribal areas, (B) expertise in the provision of tax preparation services to low-income taxpayers and underserved populations, (C) an ability to train program leadership and staff, (D) capacity to disseminate information throughout the United States, and (E) capacity to— (i) maintain a Web site through which information is disseminated in an easily accessible manner, and (ii) provide technical assistance and training through Web-based technologies. (6) Secretary The term Secretary 4. Grants to facilitate nationwide availability of volunteer income tax assistance for low-income and underserved populations (a) In general The Secretary, through the Internal Revenue Service, shall establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program (hereinafter in this section referred to as the VITA grant program (b) Matching grants (1) In general The Secretary shall make available grants under the VITA grant program to provide matching funds for the development, expansion, or continuation of qualified return preparation programs assisting low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations. (2) Application In order to be eligible for a grant under this section, a qualified return preparation program shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require for each fiscal year. (3) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applications— (A) demonstrating assistance to low-income taxpayers, with emphasis on outreach to and services for persons with an income at or below 250 percent of the Federal poverty level, as determined in accordance with criteria established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, (B) demonstrating taxpayer outreach and education around available income supports and refundable credits such as the earned income tax credit under section 32 (C) demonstrating specific outreach and focus on one or more underserved populations. (4) Use of funds Qualified return preparation programs receiving a grant under this section may use the grant for— (A) ordinary and necessary costs associated with program operation in accordance with Cost Principles Circulars as set forth by the Office of Management and Budget, (B) outreach and educational activities relating to eligibility and availability of income supports available through the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, such as the earned income tax credit, and (C) services related to financial education and capability, asset development, and the establishment of savings accounts in connection with tax return preparation. (5) Duration of grants (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of 1 year and shall not be renewed other than through an application under paragraph (2). (B) Extended grants The Secretary may award a grant under this section for a period of not more than 3 years to any qualified return preparation program which— (i) received a grant under this section for the preceding year, and (ii) received a score of 90 percent or better on a technical evaluation. (c) Promotion and referral (1) Promotion The Secretary shall promote the benefits of, and encourage the use of, tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program through the use of mass communications, referrals, and other means. (2) Internal revenue service referrals The Secretary may refer taxpayers to qualified return preparation programs receiving funding under this section. (3) Vita grantee referral Qualified return preparation programs receiving a grant under this section are encouraged to refer, as appropriate, to local or regional Low Income Tax Clinics individuals who are eligible to receive services at such clinics. (d) Authorization of Appropriations (1) In general For each of fiscal years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, there are authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this section. (2) Reservation From the funds appropriated under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not more than 3 percent for administration of the program. (3) Availability Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of paragraph (1) shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended. 5. National center To promote quality, excellence, and evaluation in volunteer income tax assistance (a) National center To promote quality, excellence, and evaluation in volunteer income tax assistance (1) Establishment There is hereby established the National Center to Promote Quality, Excellence, and Evaluation in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (hereinafter in this section referred to as the Center (2) Purpose The Center shall— (A) promote the adoption of a universally accessible volunteer training platform for the preparation of Federal income tax returns, (B) provide capacity-building technical assistance to qualified return preparation program managers, (C) identify and disseminate best practices related to tax site management emerging from States, community-based organizations, nonprofit providers, and local government entities, (D) support outreach and marketing efforts to encourage the use of qualified return preparation programs receiving funding under section 4, and (E) provide evaluation of programs and activities funded under this Act, including— (i) identification, both in aggregate and disaggregate, of gaps in services for low-income taxpayers and underserved populations, and (ii) independent evaluation of progress toward program objectives, as defined by the Secretary. (3) Administration (A) In general The Secretary shall— (i) designate, through a competitive process, one qualified entity to be the lead national organization, and (ii) provide an annual grant to the lead national organization designated under clause (i). (B) Duties of lead national organization The lead national organization shall use funds provided through the grant in subparagraph (A)(ii) to— (i) carry out the purposes of the Center, and (ii) make subgrants as provided in subsection (b). (b) Subgrants (1) In general The lead national organization shall make available subgrants to eligible organizations to facilitate specialized technical assistance in reaching one or more underserved populations. (2) Eligible organization For purposes of this subsection, the term eligible organization (A) is described in section 501(c) (B) has, to the satisfaction of the lead national organization, demonstrated expertise and evidenced-based practices in specialized outreach to, and service of, one or more underserved populations, and (C) has, to the satisfaction of the lead national organization, demonstrated expertise in the provision of specialized technical assistance relating to qualified return preparation programs for one or more targeted underserved populations. (3) Application In order to be eligible for a subgrant under this subsection, an eligible organization shall submit an application to the lead national organization at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the lead national organization may reasonably require for each fiscal year. (4) Use of funds An eligible organization which receives a subgrant under this subsection shall assist the Center by— (A) providing technical assistance to qualified return preparation programs with targeted outreach and assistance to one or more underserved populations, and (B) including strategies for the provision of technical assistance targeting individuals and families with annual household earnings at or below 250 percent of the poverty line within the underserved populations served by the subgrant. (5) Subgrant amount (A) In general Each year, the lead national organization shall make available subgrants which, in the aggregate, do not exceed 40 percent of the grant received under subsection (a). (B) Underserved populations Of the amount of subgrants provided under subparagraph (A)— (i) not less than 25 percent shall be dedicated to specialized technical assistance in serving taxpayers with disabilities, (ii) not less than 25 percent shall be dedicated to specialized technical assistance in serving limited English speaking taxpayers, and (iii) not less than 25 percent shall be dedicated to specialized technical assistance in serving Native American taxpayers. (6) Duration of subgrants A subgrant awarded under this subsection shall be for a period of 1 year and shall not be renewed other than through an application under paragraph (3). (c) Authorization of Appropriations (1) In general For each of fiscal years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, there are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this section. (2) Availability Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of paragraph (1) shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended. 6. National service programs to provide tax preparation assistance (a) VISTA Section 103(a) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 ( 42 U.S.C. 4953(a) (1) in paragraph (12), by striking and (2) in paragraph (13), by striking the period and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (14) in connection with tax preparation assistance programs for low-income and older individuals and families, particularly Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs. . (b) National Service Senior Corps Section 225(b) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 ( 42 U.S.C. 5025(b) (17) Programs that promote financial literacy and financial empowerment, such as through providing tax preparation assistance to low-income or elderly individuals. . (c) AmeriCorps Section 122(a)(5)(B) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12572(a)(5)(B) (1) in clause (x), by striking and (2) by redesignating clause (xi) as clause (xii); and (3) by inserting after clause (x) the following: (xi) carrying out tax preparation assistance programs for low-income and older individuals and families, particularly Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs; and . (d) National Civilian Community Corps Section 157(a)(1) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12617(a)(1) urban and rural development rural and urban development, including improving financial capabilities of urban residents through tax assistance programs (e) Social innovation funds pilot program Section 198K(f)(3) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12653k(f)(3) (1) in subparagraph (G), by striking or (2) in subparagraph (H), by adding or (3) by adding at the end the following: (I) financial literacy for low-income and older individuals and families, particularly through assisting low-income and older individuals and families with tax preparation; . (f) Notification from the Internal Revenue Service (1) In general The Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, shall provide notification to any eligible organization (as defined in paragraph (3)), at such time and in such manner as is determined appropriate by the Secretary, that such organization may be eligible for additional assistance through programs which are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, including— (A) the National Service Trust program under subtitle C of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12571 (B) the National Civilian Community Corps Program under subtitle E of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12611 (C) the Volunteers in Service to America program under part A of title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 ( 42 U.S.C. 4951 (D) the Social Innovation Funds grant program under part III of subtitle H of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12653k (E) the Volunteer Generation Fund program under section 198P of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12653p (F) the National Senior Service Corps programs, including the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, under title II of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 ( 42 U.S.C. 5000 (2) Notification The notification described in paragraph (1) shall provide resources for eligible organizations to apply to programs described in such paragraph and direct such organizations to materials available on the public website of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service (or the Chief Executive Officer's designee) shall prepare those resources and materials. (3) Eligible organization The term eligible organization (A) a qualified entity which administers a qualified return preparation program that receives or has received a grant from the Commissioner of Internal Revenue; or (B) an organization which enters into or has entered into an agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury under section 163 of the Revenue Act of 1978 ( 26 U.S.C. 7804 (g) Matching funds requirements Section 121(e)(2) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12571(e)(2) laws) laws, but including funds made available under the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program established under section 4 of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act

Summary: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act This bill directs the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program (VITA grant program) for the development, expansion, or continuation of volunteer tax preparation programs to assist low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations. The program must be administered in the same manner as the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance matching grants demonstration program established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008. The bill establishes the National Center to Promote Quality, Excellence, and Evaluation in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance to: promote the adoption of a universally accessible volunteer training platform for the preparation of federal income tax returns, provide technical assistance to tax return preparation program managers, identify and disseminate best practices related to tax site management, support outreach and marketing efforts, and evaluate programs and activities funded under this bill. The IRS must: (1) designate, through a competitive process, a lead national organization to carry out the purposes of the center; and (2) provide an annual grant to the organization. The lead national organization may provide subgrants to organizations to facilitate specialized technical assistance in reaching one or more underserved populations. The bill amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 and the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to authorize several national service programs to provide tax preparation assistance for low-income and older individuals and families.