Code for America Named Google.org Impact Challenge Recipient for Government AI Innovation

OAKLAND, CA, September 15, 2026 — Code for America, the leading civic tech nonprofit that’s making public services easier to navigate through technology, today announced it has been selected as a recipient of the Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Government Innovation, a $30 million global initiative to help governments use AI to improve public services. Code for America is one of 15 organizations selected for the initiative. 

Today, government faces growing pressure to demonstrate that AI can deliver clear, measurable public value. That means focusing on practical applications that expand access to essential services, improve how those services are delivered, and reduce administrative burdens for caseworkers and the people accessing services.  With this funding, Code for America will use AI to make free tax filing assistance more efficient and accessible, helping more low-income families claim meaningful tax benefits.

“We believe in AI that makes people’s lives better. This initiative is an opportunity to demonstrate the true measure of this technology,” said Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America. “For the families we serve through GetYourRefund, that means an easier path to filing their taxes, claiming the benefits they have earned, and building greater financial security.”

Each year, billions of dollars in federal tax benefits go unclaimed because millions of Americans can’t access free, quality tax filing assistance. In 2020, Code for America launched GetYourRefund, its free virtual service that helps low-income households access high-quality tax filing assistance, with the support of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and in partnership with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) organizations across the country. To date, the service has helped more than 387,000 people file their taxes and claim nearly $657 million in refunds while saving nearly $43 million in filing fees. 

Now, as more families seek free tax filing help, VITA programs need new ways to serve more people without placing additional strain on their volunteers. With this funding, Code for America will scale an AI-powered document screening tool for GetYourRefund that reviews uploaded tax documents and notifies VITA volunteers which cases can move into preparation and which ones require additional review. By using AI to handle time-consuming administrative tasks, volunteer tax preparers can spend more time helping families with complex tax needs. 

The project will take place in two phases. First, Code for America will test, refine, and scale the document screening tool across its VITA partner network. The second phase will explore where else AI could responsibly reduce administrative burden in tax preparation, including quality review support, alerts and reminders, and tools to help VITA volunteers navigate complex tax questions.

"AI holds incredible potential to transform public services, but there is often a gap between promise and practice,” said Maggie Johnson, Global Head of Google.org. “By equipping the 15 selected organizations with funding and pro bono support from Google's own AI experts, we are empowering the people closest to the problem to show what is truly possible. Together, we can ensure that AI makes a profound, positive difference in the everyday lives of communities worldwide."

Through the Google.org Impact Challenge, Code for America will also participate in a dedicated Google.org Accelerator and receive pro bono support from Google engineers and product experts to help develop and scale human-centered AI tools.

Beyond tax preparation, the project will help demonstrate how AI can be responsibly applied to public services with measurable benefits for the people who rely on them. Code for America will use lessons from the work, and insights from improving benefits delivery across state governments, to explore how successful approaches could be applied to other challenges across the tax benefit, safety net, and criminal justice systems. 

About Code for America 

Code for America, the country’s leading civic tech nonprofit for over 15 years, believes that government can work for the people, and by the people, in the new digital age. We work with government at all levels across the country to make the delivery of public services better with technology. We partner with community organizations and governments to build digital tools and client-facing apps that help people navigate government, change policies, and improve programs. Our goal: a resilient government that works well for everyone. Learn more at codeforamerica.org.

About Google.org

Google.org is Google's philanthropy, applying Google’s innovation, research, and resources to promote progress and expand opportunity for everyone.