What Simplifyct Inc. does

SimplifyCT Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020 and headquartered in Darien, Connecticut, that provides free tax preparation services to low-to-moderate income individuals through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The organization operates more than a dozen physical tax preparation sites across Fairfield County and Mystic, Connecticut, and extends its reach nationwide through a virtual service delivered on Code for America's GetYourRefund platform. Services are staffed by a network of more than 120 IRS-certified volunteer preparers, and the organization became the largest VITA provider in Connecticut by the 2025 filing season, returning approximately $16.5 million in tax refunds to filers in its most recently reported season.

Beyond direct tax return preparation, SimplifyCT has expanded into adjacent financial stability services. These include one-on-one financial coaching, assistance opening no-cost bank accounts, and — through partnerships with the Dalio Foundation and Dell Foundation — delivery of Invest America Accounts, a federally enabled asset-building product for children. The organization also operates a TaxSlayer Facilitated Self-Assistance channel that allows filers to complete returns themselves with volunteer support, and partners with entities including The Connecticut Project, Western CT Area Agency on Aging, and the Darien Community Association for outreach and referral.

The operating model is grant-funded philanthropy: SimplifyCT does not charge clients and has no commercial revenue stream. Its budget is sustained by foundation grants and in-kind volunteer labor, with no disclosed financial statements in the source material. The organization's strategic positioning is as a scaled, hybrid physical-digital VITA operator combining credentialed volunteer labor, multi-channel service delivery, and a growing financial stability product suite targeted at the working poor in Connecticut and nationwide virtual filers.

Name

Simplifyct Inc.

Legal name

SimplifyCT, Inc.

Website

https://simplifyct.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SimplifyCT Inc. is a Connecticut-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free IRS VITA tax preparation and financial stability services — including financial coaching and Invest America Accounts — to low-to-moderate income individuals through 12+ physical sites and a nationwide virtual channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Tax Preparation Services

NAICS

Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services (5412), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Accounting Services (541219)

SIC

Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Tax & Financial Document Preparation Organization (Non-Advisory) (HSAFAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Taxes & Filing Basics (Withholding, Deductions, Credits) (EDAAAJAG)

Keywords

• Free tax preparation services
• Volunteer tax assistance
• Nonprofit financial services
• Financial coaching education
• Earned income tax credit

Headquarters

HQ city

Darien

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: SimplifyCT is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization funded through grants from the IRS, United Way, and other organizations. All tax preparation services are provided free of charge to eligible taxpayers with household incomes up to $69,000-$89,000 depending on the service channel.
2. Donations: Individual gifts, recurring donations, and specific project allocations from donors supporting the nonprofit mission of providing free tax services to low-to-moderate income Connecticut residents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SimplifyCT is a 501c(3) nonprofit that delivers the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program — free federal and state income tax preparation for low-to-moderate income individuals and families — through in-person sites, a fully virtual GetYourRefund channel, and a TaxSlayer self-service option. The tax services are augmented by Financial Coaching, Free Bank Account Setup for unbanked clients, and enrollment assistance for Invest America Accounts, all delivered year-round through a network of community partners in Connecticut.

Product overview

SimplifyCT operates as a nonprofit technology-enhanced social services organization offering a unified suite of free tax preparation and financial stability services. Its core product is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program — IRS-sponsored free tax preparation by certified volunteers — delivered through three channels: in-person assistance at partner locations across Fairfield County and Mystic, fully virtual preparation via the GetYourRefund online portal, and a TaxSlayer-powered do-it-yourself option. These are augmented by Financial Coaching (money management education in English and Spanish) and Free Bank Account Setup for unbanked clients. The organization also administers Invest America Accounts, child savings vehicles seeded by the US Treasury, and offers a self-service Customer Tax Tools portal with checklists and IRS/CT state resource links. SimplifyCT is unique in operating year-round rather than only during tax season, positioning itself as a continuous financial stability partner for low-to-moderate income Connecticut residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program IRS-sponsored free federal and state income tax preparation assistance delivered by IRS-certified volunteer preparers for low-to-moderate income individuals and families (household income up to $69,000), offered in-person at multiple Connecticut locations and virtually through a secure online portal.
• In-Person Tax Preparation Free in-person tax preparation assistance at partner locations across Fairfield County and Mystic, CT — including libraries, senior centers, credit unions, and community centers — with appointments scheduled via phone or online portal.
• Virtual Tax Preparation Fully remote tax preparation service allowing clients to upload documents, communicate with IRS-certified preparers, and sign returns electronically through the GetYourRefund online portal, available 24/7 nationwide.
• TaxSlayer Facilitated Self-Assistance (FSA) Do-it-yourself online tax filing tool powered by TaxSlayer (IRS-customized version for the VITA program), with certified volunteer support available. Available for 2025 tax returns with a strict household income limit of $89,000.
• Financial Coaching In-person and online coaching classes in English and Spanish covering money management skills to help community members save, manage, and grow their money for long-term financial success.
• Invest America Accounts Child savings and investment accounts allowing contributions of up to $5,000 per year, professionally managed in diversified stock market funds with tax-free growth until age 18. Includes potential $1,000 pilot program contribution from the US Treasury for children born 2025–2029.
• Free Bank Account Setup Assistance for unbanked clients in setting up accounts at local banks to help save and plan for the future, offered in connection with tax preparation services.
• Mystic Free Tax Prep (Drop-off Packet Service) Free tax preparation service in Mystic, CT using a drop-off packet process. Clients pick up packets at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, complete them at home, and schedule appointments after packet review.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13,500+ tax returns processed with $16.5M returned to taxpayers in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• The Connecticut ProjectcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025The Connecticut Project joined SimplifyCT in spreading awareness of free tax preparation services, helping reach underserved populations across Connecticut.
• Code for AmericacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Code for America developed the GetYourRefund platform used by SimplifyCT for virtual tax preparation. This nonprofit organization works to make government services simple, effective and easy to use. GetYourRefund follows IRS-specified security protocols.
• IRS (Internal Revenue Service)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020SimplifyCT operates under the auspices of the IRS as an authorized VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program provider. The IRS provides program guidelines, certification requirements, and grant funding.
• United Way of ConnecticutcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020United Way of Connecticut provides grant funding and helps spread awareness of SimplifyCT's free tax services as part of their community support initiatives.
• 4-CTmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20204-CT supported the Virtual VITA project during the pandemic response, providing funding to get relief funds quickly and efficiently into the hands of Connecticut residents who needed it most.
• Open DoorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Community partner organization helping families access SimplifyCT services.
• Build One Community (B1C)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Community partner providing tax prep services at their Stamford location (417 Shippan Ave).
• All Our Kin (AOK)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Community partner organization supporting families in accessing free tax services.
• CT Aging and Disability Services (ADS)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020State agency partner helping connect seniors and disabled individuals to SimplifyCT's free tax preparation services.
• CT Revenue ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Connecticut state tax authority partner for state tax return preparation and processing.
• Members Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Credit union partner providing free tax prep services at their Stamford location (612 Bedford St).
• Bridgeport GoodwillminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Community partner hosting free tax prep services at their Bridgeport location (165 Ocean Terrace).
• Darien LibraryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Public library partner providing free tax prep services at 1441 Post Road, Darien, CT.
• Norwalk Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Public library partner providing tax prep services at 1 Belden Ave, Norwalk, CT.
• Fairfield Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Public library partner providing walk-in tax prep services at 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT.
• New Canaan LibraryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Public library partner providing tax prep services at 151 Main Street, New Canaan, CT.
• South Norwalk Library (SoNo)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Public library partner providing tax prep services at 10 Washington St, South Norwalk, CT.
• St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Mystic)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Faith-based partner providing tax prep services through drop-off packet process at 15 Pearl St, Mystic, CT.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IRS Direct File: IRS Direct File is a free, government-run tax filing tool launched as a national pilot that competes directly with SimplifyCT for low-to-moderate income filers with straightforward returns. Its expansion could materially affect SimplifyCT's volume.
• United Way Worldwide: United Way operates VITA tax preparation programs through local chapters and is also a major funder of SimplifyCT. Many local United Ways run their own free tax preparation coalitions, making them both partners and direct service peers.
• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the largest VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program in the United States, providing free tax preparation to low-to-moderate income taxpayers, particularly seniors. It uses IRS-certified volunteer preparers in a model nearly identical to SimplifyCT's VITA program.
• Code for America: Code for America operates GetYourRefund, the same virtual tax preparation platform SimplifyCT uses, and runs its own VITA-style tax services directly. Both organizations serve low-income filers using similar technology stacks with IRS-certified volunteer preparers.
• The Financial Clinic: The Financial Clinic provides financial coaching and free tax preparation services for low-income individuals in the New York metro area. It pairs tax preparation with longer-term financial coaching, similar to SimplifyCT's integrated VITA + Financial Coaching model.
• Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill operates free tax preparation services at many of its community locations as part of broader workforce and financial stability programming. Goodwill of the Heartland, Goodwill of Greater Washington, and other affiliates host VITA sites comparable to SimplifyCT's library and community center sites.
• CASH Campaign of Maryland: CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Campaign of Maryland operates a state-wide free tax preparation coalition serving low-income Maryland residents, with similar volunteer-based VITA delivery and financial stability services to SimplifyCT.

Broad incumbents

• H&R Block: H&R Block is a major commercial tax preparation company offering in-person and online services. It serves a broad customer base including lower-income filers through its free tier and retail locations, overlapping with SimplifyCT's target demographic.
• Intuit (TurboTax): Intuit's TurboTax is the dominant commercial tax preparation platform in the US and competes for the same individual filer base as SimplifyCT, though at a price point. TurboTax's free tier overlaps with the income-eligible segment SimplifyCT serves.

Emerging players

• Cash App Taxes: Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax) is a fully free, mobile-first DIY tax preparation platform that competes for the same low-to-moderate income filer segment that SimplifyCT serves, particularly among younger taxpayers comfortable with self-service.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SimplifyCT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simplifyct
• Instagraminstagram.com/SimplifyCT

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simplifyct Inc.