Volunteer tax assistance programs have grown by 280% since 2003, generating approximately $3.9 billion in refunds during the last tax year alone. Despite this increase in use and need, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs have suffered from decreased public and private support. In 2014, 3.6 million individuals made use of VITA and TCE; the IRS estimates that with adequate funding, the programs could serve up to 19 million. The Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) has published a Federal Policy Brief advocating for increased funding for volunteer tax preparation programs, including $18 million for VITA and $7 million for TCE. Read more here.