| The federal government provides numerous grants | | | | Federal Income Tax filing period, which can be from |
| and cooperative agreements to nonprofit organizations | | | | the 1st of January through the 15th of April each year. |
| and small businesses from many of its agencies. One | | | | In addition the counseling activities needed to ensure |
| such grant provides money for nonprofit organizations | | | | that senior-citizen taxpayers receive effective tax help |
| to offer counseling to seniors to help with completion | | | | of the highest quality may be conducted throughout |
| of their annual taxes returns. | | | | the year. |
| The IRS has allocated $5.1 Million for the 2011 Fiscal | | | | The Cooperative Agreement between the IRS and |
| Year to support the Tax Counseling for the Elderly | | | | the nonprofit organization defines the functions that the |
| (T.C.E.) Program | | | | program sponsor and IRS will perform, the |
| The Internal Revenue Service, which operates within | | | | geographical area involved, the maximum amount of |
| the Treasury Department is authorized to enter into | | | | funding offered for reimbursement and administrative |
| agreements with private or non-governmental public | | | | purposes as well as other data. |
| nonprofit 501(c)3's that deliver coaching and technical | | | | Beginning with the 2011 Tax Counseling for the Elderly |
| guidance to volunteers who offer free of charge tax | | | | Plan, multi-year grant opportunities are available for |
| counseling and aid to senior citizens who are age 60 | | | | nonprofit organizations which are qualified and meet |
| or older for the submission of their Federal tax returns. | | | | the specified criteria. |
| Grant funding can be applied to reimburse volunteers | | | | Organizations submitting an application can elect, if they |
| for incidental expenses including transportation, meals | | | | are interested in being considered for a multi-year |
| and other expenditures incurred by them in offering | | | | T.C.E. grant. Consideration is restricted to those |
| tax counseling help at locations convenient for the | | | | applicants that meet all eligibility requirements. |
| seniors. | | | | Approval by the IRS of an entity for the Tax |
| Through a competitive process, appropriate applicant | | | | Counseling for the Elderly program for one year does |
| organizations and agencies vie for acceptance to be a | | | | not necessarily imply that the organization will be |
| T.C.E. sponsor. These organizations must be a | | | | approved into the T.C.E. system in ensuing years. |
| nonprofit organization experienced in coordinating | | | | A nonprofit organization that is accepted to offer Tax |
| volunteer programs, with knowledge of the income tax | | | | Counseling for the Elderly services is responsible for all |
| submission process. | | | | aspects of operating a T.C.E. System including, but not |
| Qualified businesses acquire grants to offer regional | | | | restricted to marketing the program, volunteer |
| Counseling Programs. Tax return submission help is | | | | recruitment and training, Website design and |
| provided to senior-citizens throughout the customary | | | | construction and outreach to seniors in their region. |