IRS Confirmed $200,000 Grants for Low Income Taxpayer: Apply Now & Know Eligibility Conditions

IRS Confirmed $200,000 Grants for Low Income Taxpayer: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is inviting qualified organizations to apply for the 2026 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) matching grant program. Applications will be accepted from May 15, 2025, to July 14, 2025. These grants help clinics that offer free or very low-cost help to people with tax issues and support those who don’t speak English as their first language.

The grant performance period is from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. This means the selected organizations will offer their services during this time.

What is the LITC Program?

LITC stands for Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. It is a program that provides matching grants to qualified organizations. This means that for every rupee (or dollar) the IRS gives, the organization must also spend the same amount from its own or raised funds.

The main goal of LITCs is to support low-income taxpayers and people who speak English as a second language. These clinics are not part of the IRS. They work independently but receive partial funding from the IRS’s Taxpayer Advocate Service.

What Services Do LITCs Provide?

LITCs work to keep the tax system fair for everyone. They do this by:

Providing free legal help to people who are dealing with tax disputes with the IRS
Educating people who speak limited English about their tax rights and duties
Identifying and raising awareness about tax problems that affect low-income or ESL taxpayers

These services are offered either completely free or for a very small fee, only to recover real expenses like paperwork or postage.

How Much Funding Can Be Requested?

Eligible organizations can apply for up to $200,000 for the 2026 grant year. But they must be able to match the funding dollar-for-dollar. This funding helps them start a new clinic or continue running an existing one.

Who Can Apply?

Community organizations, colleges, non-profits, law schools, and legal aid groups can apply. They must offer free or affordable help to low-income individuals dealing with tax problems.

Organizations that plan to refer cases to qualified professionals, instead of using in-house staff, will be considered if they are experienced and located in areas that currently don’t have these services.

Focus on Underserved Areas

The IRS is especially looking for organizations that can offer help in areas with no or limited access to LITCs. These areas include:

Entire States without LITCs: Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, West Virginia
Partially Covered States:
Florida – Counties like Orange, Polk, Seminole, and many more
Nevada – Counties like Carson City, Nye, Lyon, etc.
South Dakota – Large number of counties including Minnehaha, Pennington, and others

The IRS encourages applications from groups that can serve these places, especially if they already have strong ties to the local community.

Special Focus on ESL Education

For the ESL (English as a Second Language) part of the program, the IRS is giving priority to groups that already work with immigrant communities and can quickly start educational programs about taxpayer rights.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on July 14, 2025. The funding number to use is TREAS-GRANTS-042026-001. More details, including how to apply, are available in the IRS Publication 3319 (2026 Grant Application Package and Guidelines).

If you have questions, you can reach out to the IRS LITC Program Office by email at [email protected].

Also, a webinar about the grant program and application process will be held on May 22, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET. Details are on the LITC Grants webpage.

The IRS’s LITC matching grants help non-profit groups support people who often cannot afford professional tax help. These clinics not only give legal support but also teach people their tax rights, especially those who find it hard to understand English. With the 2026 application window open now, the IRS is looking for organizations that can expand help into areas where people need it most.

FAQ

Q1: What is the IRS LITC grant?

The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic grant is a matching grant that helps organizations offer tax help to low-income and ESL taxpayers.

Q2: When is the application deadline?

Applications must be submitted online by July 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Q3: How much funding can be requested?

Eligible organizations can apply for up to $200,000, but they must provide an equal amount in matching funds.

Q4: Who can apply for the grant?

Non-profits, law schools, legal aid groups, and community service organizations that help low-income taxpayers.

Q5: Which areas are given priority?

States like Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, and West Virginia, and counties in Florida, Nevada, and South Dakota.

Q6: How do I get more information?

You can read IRS Publication 3319 or email [email protected]. There’s also a webinar on May 22, 2025, from 1-3 p.m. ET.