More than £11 million in funding available for organisations to help customers with their tax
affairs.
Voluntary and Community sector organisations invited to bid for funding from today.
Successful organisations will receive three-year funding grants from April 2027.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has pledged more than £11 million to support customers who
need extra help, as it launches the latest round of its Voluntary and Community Sector Grant
Funding Scheme.
Bids can be submitted from today (8 June) for the funding, which is available for voluntary and
community sector organisations to provide specialist advice and support to HMRC customers who
may need extra help with their tax affairs, interacting with its digital services, which continue to
expand, or claiming entitlements.
HMRC has more than doubled the three-year grant funding allocation to £11.18 million starting April
- Applications can be submitted on GOV.UK until 3 July.
Organisations applying for the funding must show they can provide independent tailored support to
customers who may experience barriers including those who: - may face difficulties in understanding their tax obligations
may have complex needs
are digitally excluded from accessing HMRC services
Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury said:
For the attention of News Desks No. of pages: 3
Date: 8 June 2026 Ref: NAT20/26
“I’m delighted to build on our commitment to customers who need the most support and make this
latest round of funding available for our partners in the voluntary sector who provide invaluable
assistance to them. This funding means customers, who may be struggling with their tax affairs, are
able to get the help they need to make a real difference to their situation.”
Successful organisations will work alongside HMRC’s Extra Support Team to ensure customers get
straightforward advice and support in dealing with their tax affairs and ensuring they get the benefits
they are entitled to receive.
Between April 2025 and April 2026, more than 43,000 customers, helped by grant-funded
organisations working closely with HMRC’s Extra Support Team, were able to engage with HMRC in
a way that works for them and access the information they need.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer said:
“We are all about making it easier for people to get their tax right and by working closely with our
Voluntary and Community sector partners we can ensure our customers who need extra support
have access to help when they need it most.”
The grants, worth £3.73 million a year, will be awarded quarterly over the 3 years between April 2027
and April 2030. Successful organisations will be announced later this year.
For more information on the Voluntary and Community Sector Grant Funding Scheme, eligibility and
to apply, go to GOV.UK.
CASE STUDY
Elena*, who is from the South East of England, works as a self-employed hairdresser, partly at home
and partly in a salon where she rents a chair. When she contacted a Voluntary and Community Sector
grant-funded organisation in September 2024, she was struggling with depression following the loss
of a family member and divorce. In her mid-forties, she had no sustainable income, was receiving
Universal Credit, and struggling just to afford the basics. She was behind with her rent and Council
Tax as well as a tax debt of £1,093, including Late Filing Penalties and interest.
Elena got in touch about her tax debt and three years of outstanding tax returns. As someone who
had always struggled with maths, she found it difficult to manage her tax. One of the volunteer
advisers worked with Elena to help her complete her outstanding tax returns which resulted in an
increase in her tax liability to £1,824.34.
After the grant-funded organisation contacted HMRC, they waived the Late Filing Penalties and
associated interest leaving only the tax balancing payments and a small amount of interest, totalling
£503 to pay. Elena emailed the volunteer who had supported her to express the real difference our
support had made to her future.
