Switchboard's free online self-paced course, Supporting Newcomers with U.S. Income Taxes, has everything you need to guide newcomers through their first U.S. tax return—without becoming a tax expert yourself. 

The course breaks down the U.S. tax system in plain language, clarifies your role as a facilitator, and connects you to free, trusted filing resources.  

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to: 

  • Describe the U.S. income tax system, including key definitions and deadlines, important documents, and the reasons for paying income tax
  • Explain the roles and responsibilities involved in tax preparation and how to determine eligibility for common tax credits
  • Evaluate credible low- or no-cost tax filing methods to best meet client needs


Who Is the Course for? 

This course is designed for social workers and other professionals who provide services to newcomers, including:  

  • Economic empowerment specialists supporting clients through tax season 

  • Case managers answering client questions about income taxes 

  • Employment specialists helping clients understand W-2s and paycheck withholdings 

  • Newcomers who want to learn about the U.S. tax system

  • Supervisors looking to build team capacity for tax season


Approximate time to complete: 60 mins

Need support? Email [email protected]

This is an ASWB ACE-approved course worth 1 continuing education (CE) credit. 

This is an independent, asynchronous, pre-recorded course that learners will navigate via Thinkific course player. Registration is free and ongoing. For ADA accommodations, please contact [email protected], attn: Tigest Coleman. All learners are required to have a computer system and internet connection sufficient to play online course videos.   

Course Curriculum

    1. How to Navigate this Course

    2. Welcome to the Course

    1. Lesson 1: Basics of U.S. Income Tax

    2. Lesson 2: Why We Pay Income Tax

    3. Lesson 3: Important Definitions

    4. Lesson 4: When to Pay Income Taxes

    5. Lesson 5: Overview of Key Documents

    6. Module 1 Knowledge Check

    7. Module 1 Objective Check-In

    8. Module 1 Conclusion

    1. Lesson 1: Roles and Responsibilities

    2. Lesson 2: Tax Credits

    3. Lesson 3: Case Scenario 1

    4. Lesson 4: The Process of Determining Eligibility for Tax Credits

    5. Module 2 Knowledge Check

    6. Module 2 Objective Check-In

    7. Module 2 Conclusion

    1. Lesson 1: Tax Filing Methods

    2. Lesson 2: Identifying Risks

    3. Lesson 3: Finish Filing a Tax Return

    4. Module 3 Knowledge Check

    5. Module 3 Objectives Check-In

    6. Module 3 Conclusion

    1. Course Conclusion

    2. Course Satisfaction Survey

    3. Course Outro & Next Steps

About this course

  • Free
  • 26 lessons
  • 60 minutes of video content
  • Level: Introductory

Jenna Christie-Tabron

EdD, LMSW, MFT, LMFTA

Jenna is Switchboard’s Senior Training Officer. She is a licensed social worker and associate family therapist who has nearly a decade of experience in treating adults and adolescents facing various individual and family challenges. Jenna has worked as a trauma-focused clinician, advocate, educator, and consultant in the psychiatric, health care, judicial, and education systems. Originally from The Bahamas, she returned to her homeland in 2016 to serve adolescents in the Ministry of Social Services and help launch a mental health initiative for survivors who were displaced after a natural disaster. In 2022, she returned to the U.S. to begin her work with the IRC as the Intensive Case Management Supervisor for the Phoenix office. Jenna holds a BA in Psychology from East Carolina University, a master’s in Family Therapy from Drexel University, a Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida, and a Doctor of Education degree with a specialization in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Photo of course instructor: Jenna Christie-Tabron LMSW, MFT

Course Completion

ASWB CE Information

Social workers must attend the entire course and complete a course evaluation to be eligible for CE credit. Social workers will be required to get 100% on a post-test in order to receive CE credit, but they may retake the test as many times as necessary to get this score. Certificates of completion will be issued within 10 business day of course completion. 

Supporting Newcomers with U.S. Income Taxes, course #6519, is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by Switchboard as an individual course.   

 

Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: XXXX – XXXX. Social workers completing this course receive 1 general continuing education credit.  


This course is free to register; there is no penalty or cost for discontinuing the course. To unenroll, you may simply leave course uncompleted but will receive no credit for the portions of the course you have fulfilled. This course was last updated February 12, 2026. 


Switchboard TA's grievance policy ensures timely, ethical, and transparent resolution of complaints—including those related to course content, instructors, certificates, or other concerns—with oversight by the designated social work consultant and CE director to safeguard fairness and objectivity. Participants may request a copy of the full grievance policy or submit a grievance at any time using the contact information provided. 

Take the course with Switchboard, start today.

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