Opportunity Information: Apply for TCE 2020 001
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) grant opportunity is a federal cooperative agreement program run through the U.S. Department of the Treasury and administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to support free tax return help for older adults. The core purpose is straightforward: make reliable, no-cost federal income tax preparation and counseling available to people age 60 and older by funding organizations that recruit, train, and manage volunteers who do the direct taxpayer assistance.
This opportunity is authorized by Section 163 of the Revenue Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-600). Under that authority, the IRS is able to enter into cooperative agreements with qualifying nonprofit and public organizations that can provide the structure behind volunteer-based tax assistance. In practical terms, the IRS provides grant funds and program guidance, while local grantees operate TCE sites, build volunteer capacity, and deliver services in their communities. Because it is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a simple grant, it generally implies ongoing involvement or oversight from the IRS consistent with federal cooperative agreement rules.
Funding for TCE comes from a dedicated appropriation line item, meaning Congress provides specific funds for this purpose and the IRS distributes those funds to selected recipients to cover program expenses. The goal of those funds is not to pay for tax services for individuals directly, but to support the operational costs that allow trained volunteers to provide free, high-quality assistance at scale. The notice indicates an expected number of awards around 100, showing that the program is designed to be implemented broadly through multiple local or regional partners rather than a single national provider. The listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically signals that the ceiling is not specified in that field and applicants should rely on the full announcement for budgeting limits or allocation formulas.
Eligibility is limited to certain types of organizations. The listed eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). Beyond basic eligibility, applicants are expected to demonstrate relevant operational capability, especially experience coordinating volunteer programs and experience with income tax return preparation. That emphasis reflects what the IRS is buying with these funds: not just goodwill, but the capacity to run a compliant, well-supervised volunteer tax program that can handle seasonal surges and protect taxpayers through proper training, quality review, and secure handling of information.
The service window aligns with the traditional federal filing season. Most direct tax return preparation for taxpayers typically occurs from January 1 through April 15, when demand is highest and most individual returns are filed. At the same time, the program acknowledges that effective delivery requires year-round work. Activities such as recruiting volunteers, completing IRS-required training and certifications, setting up service locations, coordinating partners, conducting outreach to older adults, planning staffing schedules, and maintaining quality controls can occur outside the filing-season dates so that tax assistance during the peak period is efficient and accurate.
Administratively, this opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses the cooperative agreement instrument. It is identified by Funding Opportunity Number TCE 2020 001 and is associated with CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) number 21.006. The opportunity record lists a creation date of May 1, 2019, with an original closing date of May 31, 2019, indicating the application window for that cycle. Overall, the TCE opportunity is designed for mission-driven organizations that can manage a volunteer-based service model and deliver consistent, free federal tax return assistance specifically targeted to seniors, supported by IRS funding and technical program expectations.Apply for TCE 2020 001
- The US Department of the Treasury, Tax Counseling for the Elderly in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tax Counseling for the Elderly" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 21.006.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 01, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 31, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 100 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Grant Opportunity: FAQs
What is the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) grant opportunity?
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) grant opportunity is a federal cooperative agreement program that supports free federal income tax return preparation and counseling for adults age 60 and older. It funds organizations that recruit, train, and manage volunteers who provide direct assistance to eligible taxpayers.
Which federal agencies run and administer the TCE program?
The program is run through the U.S. Department of the Treasury and administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
What is the main purpose of TCE funding?
The core purpose is to make reliable, no-cost federal income tax preparation and counseling available to people age 60 and older by supporting organizations that can operate volunteer-based tax assistance services in their communities.
Who is the intended beneficiary of TCE services?
TCE services are intended for older adults, specifically people age 60 and older, who need free federal income tax return preparation and counseling.
Does TCE pay for an individual taxpayer's tax preparation directly?
No. The funds are intended to support program operations (the costs of running volunteer-based tax assistance), not to pay for tax services for individuals directly.
What types of activities can TCE funds support?
Based on the description, TCE funds support operational costs that enable organizations to deliver free, high-quality assistance through trained volunteers. This can include recruiting volunteers, training and certifications, setting up service locations, coordinating partners, outreach to older adults, staffing schedules, and maintaining quality controls, along with other program delivery needs consistent with operating volunteer tax sites.
What is the legal authority for the TCE program?
The program is authorized by Section 163 of the Revenue Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-600).
What funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement instrument rather than a standard grant.
What does it mean that TCE is a cooperative agreement?
In this context, a cooperative agreement generally means there is ongoing involvement or oversight from the IRS consistent with federal cooperative agreement rules. The IRS provides grant funds and program guidance, while local grantees operate service sites and manage volunteers.
Where does TCE funding come from?
Funding comes from a dedicated appropriation line item, meaning Congress provides specific funds for this purpose and the IRS distributes those funds to selected recipients.
About how many awards are expected under this opportunity?
The notice indicates an expected number of awards of around 100, suggesting the program is meant to be implemented broadly through many local or regional partners.
Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed?
The listing shows an award ceiling of 0. This typically indicates the ceiling is not specified in that field, and applicants should refer to the full announcement for budgeting limits or allocation formulas.
Who is eligible to apply for the TCE cooperative agreement?
Eligibility is limited to certain organizations. The eligible applicant types listed include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).
Are institutions of higher education eligible if they are 501(c)(3) organizations?
No. The eligibility description specifies 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education.
What capabilities are applicants expected to demonstrate?
Beyond basic eligibility, applicants are expected to demonstrate operational capability, especially experience coordinating volunteer programs and experience with income tax return preparation.
Why does the IRS emphasize volunteer coordination and tax preparation experience?
The program funds organizations to operate a compliant, well-supervised volunteer tax assistance model. The emphasis reflects the need to handle seasonal demand and to protect taxpayers through proper training, quality review, and secure handling of information.
When does TCE tax return preparation usually take place?
Most direct tax return preparation typically occurs during the traditional filing season, from January 1 through April 15.
Are TCE activities limited to the filing season?
No. While taxpayer-facing return preparation largely aligns with January 1 through April 15, the program recognizes that year-round work is needed to deliver services effectively. Planning and preparation activities can occur outside the filing-season dates.
What kinds of year-round activities does TCE anticipate?
The description notes year-round activities such as recruiting volunteers, completing IRS-required training and certifications, setting up service locations, coordinating partners, conducting outreach to older adults, planning staffing schedules, and maintaining quality controls.
What is the funding category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this TCE cycle?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is TCE 2020 001.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with TCE?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA (now commonly referred to as the Assistance Listing) number 21.006.
What were the creation and closing dates listed for this opportunity record?
The record lists a creation date of May 1, 2019, and an original closing date of May 31, 2019, indicating the application window for that cycle.
What does a typical local TCE grantee do with the funds?
Local grantees generally operate TCE sites, build volunteer capacity, and deliver services in their communities, using IRS funding and guidance to support operations that allow volunteers to provide free federal tax return assistance to older adults.
Is this opportunity designed for a single national provider or multiple organizations?
It is designed for multiple organizations. The expected number of awards (around 100) suggests a network of local or regional partners rather than a single national provider.
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