So, you are applying for the IRS VITA or TCE grant. You’ve read the application materials, double-checked your SAM.gov registration, and drafted a volunteer plan.

But here's what experienced programs know: The paperwork doesn’t tell the whole story.  

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Key Insight: Nearly all Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) funding is managed by the AARP Foundation

That means if you’re used to operating independently under VITA and switch to TCE, expect changes:

• Following AARP Foundation guidelines, including ensuring proper training and mission alignment

• Adjusting your volunteer management, branding, and training approach

• Dual reporting to AARP and the IRS

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Reporting Differences Matter:

• TCE: 100% of clients must be age 60 or older  

• VITA: Broader eligibility, but focused on priority groups (EITC, people with disabilities, multilingual communities)

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If your clients don’t match your stated grant scope, you’re at risk.

This is where quality control meets strategy. The IRS expects consistency between:

• Your application

• Your outreach

• Your data

Mismatch any of those, and it shows up in the numbers.

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Volunteer training is not one-size-fits-all

Here is a subtle but important truth:

• VITA volunteers typically need advanced certification, with an emphasis on families, dependents, and qualifying credits

• TCE volunteers often need more comfort with retirement income, Required Minimum Distributions, and medical deductions

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So, if you switch from one program to the other, your training model has to evolve too.

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A quick word on administrative costs

TCE restricts administrative expenses to 30% of the grant.  For new programs or those scaling operations, that can affect sustainability.  

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Final thought

These grants bring essential support to tax filing efforts across the country, but success means more than submitting on time. It’s about matching your service model to the right program.  

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