Opportunity Information: Apply for TCE 2025
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program is an IRS-funded grant opportunity designed to support free federal income tax return assistance for people age 60 and older. It operates as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning recipients do not just receive funds and operate independently; they work in partnership with the IRS under the terms of the agreement. The program’s core purpose is to expand access to reliable, no-cost tax help for older adults by funding organizations that can recruit, train, and support volunteers who prepare and help file federal returns. While the public-facing service is concentrated during the standard filing season, the program also recognizes that quality service depends on year-round planning, training, site coordination, and other operational work.
The legal authority for TCE comes from Section 163 of the Revenue Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-600), which specifically authorizes the IRS to enter into agreements with nonprofit and other qualifying organizations to deliver this kind of tax counseling and preparation service to seniors. The grant funding is a dedicated appropriation received by the IRS as a line item, and those funds are then distributed to selected grant recipients to cover allowable program expenses. Selection and award administration are also framed by the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-224), which sets standards for how federal agencies structure and manage grants and cooperative agreements.
Eligible applicants for this opportunity include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education, as stated in the eligibility listing). A central expectation is that applicants already have experience running volunteer-based programs and have demonstrated capability in coordinating income tax return preparation services. In practical terms, the IRS is looking for organizations that can manage volunteers at scale, ensure consistent training and quality control, and deliver services in a way that is accessible and dependable for older taxpayers.
Funded organizations use the award to operate local TCE programs, which typically means setting up community-based tax assistance sites, recruiting and scheduling volunteers, providing or arranging required training, and delivering technical support so volunteers can accurately prepare federal returns. The direct service window is primarily January 1 through April 15, aligning with the usual federal filing season, but the program explicitly allows and anticipates year-round activity to ensure that seniors receive efficient, high-quality assistance. This includes pre-season recruitment, training, outreach, partnership development, and post-season closeout and reporting tasks.
The application timeline is clearly defined. Applications are submitted through Grants.gov during the open period of May 1 through May 31. After submission, the IRS conducts review and ranking from June 1 through September 30, and award notifications are issued on October 1. The opportunity is identified as “Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE),” with Funding Opportunity Number TCE 2025 and CFDA number 21.006. The listing indicates an expectation of about 100 awards, and while an award ceiling is referenced, it is not specified in the provided source details.Apply for TCE 2025
- 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 2024-05-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-31. (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), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
Next opportunity: Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Previous opportunity: Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for TCE 2025
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (TCE 2025) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Apply for NEAAC24MERC1001 Funding Number: NEAAC24MERC1001 Agency: Assistance Coordination Category: Other Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Media Sustainability Program Apply for DOS GEO 24 007 05022024 Funding Number: DOS GEO 24 007 05022024 Agency: U.S. Mission to Georgia Category: Other Funding Amount: $55,000 |
| Democracy Commission Small Grants Program Apply for STI400 24 AW 0002 Funding Number: STI400 24 AW 0002 Agency: U.S. Mission to Tajikistan Category: Other Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Alumni Outreach and Engagement Program Apply for PDS ASHGABAT CA FY24 007 Funding Number: PDS ASHGABAT CA FY24 007 Agency: U.S. Mission to Turkmenistan Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Mexico CDCS Annual Program Statement Apply for 72052324APS00001 Funding Number: 72052324APS00001 Agency: Mexico USAID-Mexico City Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2024 Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance (MSNEA) Apply for DHS 24 MT 082 00 99 Funding Number: DHS 24 MT 082 00 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Administrative Support – American Spaces in Sri Lanka Apply for PDS COL 2024 ASACKACC Funding Number: PDS COL 2024 ASACKACC Agency: U.S. Mission to Sri Lanka Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Philippines PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for 24 PHL APS Funding Number: 24 PHL APS Agency: U.S. Mission to the Philippines Category: Other Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Cultural Programming in Turkmenistan Apply for PDS ASHGABAT AW FY24 008 Funding Number: PDS ASHGABAT AW FY24 008 Agency: U.S. Mission to Turkmenistan Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| USG ALUMNI SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM Apply for STATE BISHKEK PDS 24 0005 Funding Number: STATE BISHKEK PDS 24 0005 Agency: U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan Category: Other Funding Amount: $170,000 |
| Media Small Grants Program Apply for STATE BISHKEK PDS 24 0006 Funding Number: STATE BISHKEK PDS 24 0006 Agency: U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan Category: Other Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY2024 Historic Preservation Fund- History of Equal Rights- Preservation Grants Apply for P24AS00529 Funding Number: P24AS00529 Agency: National Park Service Category: Other Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Stability Through Economic Progress, Unity and Peacebuilding (STEP UP) Apply for 72065624RFA00004 Funding Number: 72065624RFA00004 Agency: Mozambique USAID-Maputo Category: Other Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| University Partnership Program (UPP) Apply for DOS KAZ AST AEECA 24 005 Funding Number: DOS KAZ AST AEECA 24 005 Agency: U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan Category: Other Funding Amount: $360,000 |
| Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment (MRRA) Engagement Project Apply for 24CS19 Funding Number: 24CS19 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY2024 Historic Preservation Fund - Underrepresented Communities Grants Apply for P24AS00525 Funding Number: P24AS00525 Agency: National Park Service Category: Other Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Nassau Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2024 Program Apply for OFOP0001444 Funding Number: OFOP0001444 Agency: Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Libreville PDS Annual Program Statement Apply for EMB PDS LIBREVILLE FY24 01 Funding Number: EMB PDS LIBREVILLE FY24 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Gabon Category: Other Funding Amount: $12,500 |
| DRL Strengthening Independent Media in the East Asia and Pacific Region Apply for DFOP0016613 Funding Number: DFOP0016613 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Administrative – Exchanges Travel Partner Apply for PDS COL 2024 EXCTVLIP Funding Number: PDS COL 2024 EXCTVLIP Agency: U.S. Mission to Sri Lanka Category: Other Funding Amount: $20,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "TCE 2025", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.