Tax Counseling for the Elderly (21.006)
Tax Counseling for the Elderly (Assistance Listing 21.006) is run by the Internal Revenue Service, part of the Department of the Treasury. It awarded $55.4 million in 179 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $309,222 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $14,056. Half of the 179 awards fell between $7,625 and $21,272, and they ranged from $719 to $11.3 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$55.4 million
- Grant awards179
- Typical award$14,056
- Awarded in FY 2025$11.8 million
- Size rank1,009 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $10.8 million in fiscal 2021 to $11.8 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 1009th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 99% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 22 states and territories.
What the program funds
The TCE program offers FREE tax help to individuals who are age 60 or older. Cooperative grant agreements are entered into between IRS and eligible organizations to provide tax assistance to elderly taxpayers. The funds provided by the IRS are used by organizations to reimburse volunteers for their out-of-pocket expenses; including transportation, meals and other expenses incurred by them in providing tax counseling assistance at locations convenient to the taxpayers. Tax return preparation assistance is provided to elderly taxpayers during the normal period for filing Federal income tax returns, which is from January 1 to April 15 each year. However, the program activities required to make sure elderly taxpayers receive efficient and quality tax assistance can be conducted year-round.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Tax Counseling for the Elderly applicants must be private or public nonprofit organizations with experience in coordinating volunteer programs. Federal, State, and local government agencies are not eligible to participate in this program. Applicants must be tax compliant and not be debarred or suspended.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Funding may be used for reimbursing volunteers for their out-of-pocket expenses including transportation, meals, and other expenses incurred by them in providing tax counseling assistance at locations convenient to the taxpayers.
Matching requirements
Statutory Formula: Title Revenue Act of 1978, Part 601, Subpart 163,Public Law 95-600.Section 163 of the Revenue Act of 1978, Public Law No. 95-600, 92 Stat. 2810, November 6, 1978, authorizes IRS to enter into cooperative agreements. This Act authorizes an appropriation of special funds, in the form of grants, to provide tax assistance to persons age 60 years of age or older. The IRS receives the funds as a line item in the appropriation. The total funds are distributed to the grant recipients for their expenses. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
May 01, 2026 to May 31, 2026
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Tax Counseling for the Elderly (21.006) awarded $55.4 million across 179 grant awards, an average of $309,222 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Foundation | District of Columbia | 5 | $52.8 million |
| Seniorage Area Agency on Aging | Missouri | 5 | $181,961 |
| Metro-St. Louis Community Tax Coalition, Inc. | Missouri | 5 | $154,635 |
| Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center, Incorporated | Arkansas | 4 | $143,000 |
| Chinese Newcomers Service Center | California | 5 | $137,000 |
| South Al Regional Plan Commission | Alabama | 5 | $125,362 |
| Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. | Texas | 4 | $104,626 |
| Life Senior Services, Inc. | Oklahoma | 5 | $102,465 |
| Goebel Senior Center Commission, Inc | California | 5 | $97,321 |
| Alliance on Aging Inc | California | 5 | $89,716 |
| Volunteer Connection of Central Alabama Inc | Alabama | 5 | $85,720 |
| Vincennes University | Indiana | 5 | $82,603 |
| Fayette County Community Action Agency, Inc. | Pennsylvania | 5 | $81,425 |
| Etowah County Retired & Senior | Alabama | 3 | $71,000 |
| Alaska Business Development Center, Inc | Alaska | 5 | $70,600 |
| San Juan College | New Mexico | 5 | $69,295 |
| Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Inc. | Kentucky | 5 | $61,229 |
| United Way Fairfield County | Ohio | 5 | $56,689 |
| Rural Dynamics Inc | Montana | 5 | $55,633 |
| TC Senior Citizens Coun | New York | 5 | $54,831 |
Who usually wins
Almost all of the money went to nonprofits.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 171 | $55.3 million | 100% |
| Colleges and universities | 8 | $96,161 | 0.2% |
By state
7 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 5 | $52.8 million |
| California | 35 | $521,735 |
| Missouri | 23 | $445,231 |
| Alabama | 15 | $315,057 |
| New York | 21 | $198,912 |
| Arkansas | 5 | $168,000 |
| Oklahoma | 10 | $111,288 |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | $106,425 |
| Texas | 4 | $104,626 |
| Illinois | 11 | $96,801 |
| Indiana | 5 | $82,603 |
| Kentucky | 6 | $71,229 |
| Alaska | 5 | $70,600 |
| New Mexico | 5 | $69,295 |
| Montana | 5 | $55,633 |
| Ohio | 5 | $54,964 |
| Nevada | 2 | $29,894 |
| New Jersey | 5 | $26,155 |
| Michigan | 2 | $17,211 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $15,100 |
| Florida | 1 | $8,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $4,241 |