Opportunity Information: Apply for TCEP 2027
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: TCEP 2027) is a discretionary cooperative agreement that supports free federal income tax return preparation and counseling for people age 60 and older. The program is administered by the IRS and is designed to fund local organizations that can recruit, train, and oversee volunteers who help eligible older adults file accurate tax returns. While the direct service work largely aligns with the normal filing season (January 1 through April 15), the grant also recognizes that strong service delivery depends on year-round activities like volunteer recruitment, training, site planning, outreach, and quality control.
TCE is authorized by Section 163 of the Revenue Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-600), which permits the IRS to enter into agreements with nonprofit and similar organizations to provide training and technical support to volunteers delivering free tax assistance to seniors. The opportunity is structured under the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-224; 31 USC Chapter 63), meaning recipients should expect an ongoing relationship with the IRS that can include coordination, oversight expectations, and program requirements typical of cooperative agreements. Funding comes from a dedicated line item appropriation, and the IRS distributes those funds to awardees to cover eligible program expenses needed to operate local TCE sites and deliver services effectively.
Eligible applicants are limited to specific organization types with the capacity to run volunteer-based tax assistance programs. According to the opportunity details, eligible applicants include IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other Native American tribal organizations. A key expectation is demonstrated experience coordinating volunteer programs, along with experience in income tax return preparation, since the core of the program depends on managing trained volunteers and ensuring consistent, accurate assistance for elderly taxpayers.
The application window runs annually from May 1 through May 31, and submissions must be made through Grants.gov. After the application period closes, the IRS conducts review and ranking from June 1 through September 30, with award notifications expected on October 1. The listing indicates an anticipated number of awards of about 100. The opportunity is associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing number 21.006 and is categorized under “Other” for the funding activity area. The posted closing date for this cycle is May 31, 2026. The award ceiling is not specified in the source data provided, so applicants would need to consult the full notice for any funding limits, match requirements (if any), and other budget rules.Apply for TCEP 2027
- The Tax Counseling for the Elderly in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)" 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 2026-05-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-31. (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), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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 (TCEP 2027) - FAQs
What is the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) grant?
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) grant is a federal funding opportunity that supports free federal income tax return preparation and counseling for people age 60 and older. The program is administered by the IRS and funds local organizations that can recruit, train, and oversee volunteers who provide this tax assistance.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this TCE grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed for this grant is TCEP 2027.
Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?
This opportunity is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement. That structure generally indicates an ongoing relationship with the IRS, including coordination and oversight expectations and program requirements that are typical of cooperative agreements.
Who administers the TCE program?
The TCE program is administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Who is the TCE program designed to serve?
The program is designed to provide free federal income tax return preparation and counseling for individuals age 60 and older.
What do funded organizations do under TCE?
Funded organizations are expected to operate local TCE sites and deliver services effectively by recruiting, training, and overseeing volunteers who help eligible older adults file accurate federal tax returns. The grant also recognizes year-round activities that support strong service delivery, such as volunteer recruitment, training, site planning, outreach, and quality control.
Does TCE only operate during tax season?
No. While direct tax preparation services largely align with the normal filing season (January 1 through April 15), the grant recognizes that successful service delivery depends on year-round work like volunteer recruitment, training, site planning, outreach, and quality control.
What is the legal authority for the TCE program?
TCE is authorized by Section 163 of the Revenue Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-600). This authority permits the IRS to enter into agreements with nonprofit and similar organizations to provide training and technical support to volunteers delivering free tax assistance to seniors.
What federal framework governs this award type?
The opportunity is structured under the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-224; 31 USC Chapter 63), which aligns with the cooperative agreement approach and the expectation of an ongoing relationship with the IRS.
Where does the funding come from?
Funding comes from a dedicated line item appropriation, and the IRS distributes those funds to awardees to cover eligible program expenses needed to operate local TCE sites and deliver services effectively.
Who is eligible to apply for the TCE grant?
Eligible applicants are limited to specific organization types that can run volunteer-based tax assistance programs. Based on the opportunity details provided, eligible applicants include IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other Native American tribal organizations.
Are colleges and universities eligible to apply if they are nonprofits?
No. The eligibility description provided specifically excludes institutions of higher education, even if they are 501(c)(3) organizations.
What experience is expected of applicants?
The opportunity emphasizes demonstrated experience coordinating volunteer programs, along with experience in income tax return preparation. This reflects that the program depends on managing trained volunteers and ensuring consistent, accurate assistance for elderly taxpayers.
How and where do you apply?
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.
When is the application window?
The application window runs annually from May 1 through May 31.
What is the posted closing date for this cycle?
The posted closing date for this cycle is May 31, 2026.
What happens after applications are submitted?
After the application period closes, the IRS conducts review and ranking from June 1 through September 30, with award notifications expected on October 1.
When are award notifications expected?
Award notifications are expected on October 1.
About how many awards does the IRS anticipate making?
The listing indicates an anticipated number of awards of about 100.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing number 21.006.
What is the funding activity area for this opportunity?
The funding activity area is categorized as "Other" in the opportunity information provided.
Is there an award ceiling (maximum award amount)?
The award ceiling is not specified in the source data provided. Applicants would need to consult the full notice for any funding limits and related budget rules.
Are matching funds required?
The information provided does not state whether a match is required. Applicants would need to review the full notice for match requirements (if any) and other budget rules.
What kinds of costs can the grant cover?
The description states that the IRS distributes funds to cover eligible program expenses needed to operate local TCE sites and deliver services effectively. Specific allowable cost details are not provided in the summary and would be found in the full notice.
Should applicants expect IRS involvement during the project?
Yes. Because this is a cooperative agreement under the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act framework, recipients should expect an ongoing relationship with the IRS that can include coordination, oversight expectations, and program requirements.
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