The Minnesota Department of Revenue is offering a total of $400,000 in grant funds to nonprofit organizations that offer volunteer taxpayer assistance services. The grants provide qualifying nonprofits with technology, supplies and other resources they need to prepare and file accurate, timely tax returns for the communities they serve. This past filing season, the 35 grant recipient organizations prepared nearly 58,000 income tax and property tax returns totaling more than $28 million in refunds.

“We are pleased that we can offer grant assistance to organizations that help tens of thousands of Minnesotans file their taxes each year,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly. “We encourage all qualifying nonprofits that work with our many culturally and economically diverse communities across the state to apply.”

Application information and resources are now available on the Grants Available for Volunteer Taxpayer Assistance Services webpage. Applications are due Aug. 15 and will be scored based on the need for funds, the impact the funds will make, and the performance of the applying nonprofit.

The grants are available to qualifying nonprofit organizations that:

• Provide volunteer taxpayer assistance services to low-income, elderly or disadvantaged Minnesotans.

• Prepare accurate tax returns.

• Operate efficient volunteer tax preparation sites throughout the tax season and beyond.

• Enhance training of volunteers and staff who administer volunteer taxpayer assistance services.

• Collaborate with other organizations to increase volunteer taxpayer assistance services throughout Minnesota.

• Expand volunteer taxpayer assistance services to better serve low-income, elderly and disadvantaged Minnesotans.