VCFSE organisations offered £5.5 million to support clients with tax affairs

HMRC has announced £5.5 million of funding for voluntary, charity, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to support clients with their tax affairs.

Eligible organisations are being invited to bid for funding through HMRC’s Voluntary and Community Sector Grant Funding programme, worth £1.8 million a year from 2024 until 2027. Applications can be submitted between 24th July to 21st August for funding from 1st April 2024, and will fund the VCFSE sector to provide additional support to clients who may need additional support in completing a tax return or other tax affairs, such as those who are digitally or otherwise excluded from accessing HMRC services, or may face barriers in understanding obligations and claiming entitlements.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, said:

“We know that customers really value the trusted tax advice they receive from our voluntary and community sector partners. The funding programme is an important part in our commitment to support our hardest to reach customers and builds on the current support HMRC offers to those who may need extra help with their tax affairs.”

In the last year alone, funded organisations have supported 39,000 customers over the phone, with face-to-face meetings and via email. The VCFSE sector has also supported HMRC to make improvements to services to reduce barriers for customers thanks to their insight into the lived experiences of users who may need additional help.

More information on eligibility and how to apply can be found online on the government website.