The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 (I-9) has been revised. Employers have until May 7, 2013 to begin using the new form, but employers should begin using the new forms as soon as possible. Click here for a copy of the new I-9.
What is the purpose of the I-9?
The I-9 is used for verifying the identity individuals hired for employment in the U.S. and for confirming that all individuals hired are authorized to work in the U.S. All employers must complete the I-9 for each individual they hire in the U.S. This includes citizens and noncitizens. On the form, an employee must attest to his or her employment authorization. The employee must also present his or her employer with acceptable documents confirming his/her identity and employment authorization.
Who Must Comply?
All employers (private, public, and nonprofit) must have a completed Form I-9 on file for each person on their payroll. Employers must retained the I-9s for three years after the date of hire or for one year after employment is terminated, whichever is later. The form must be available for inspection by authorized U.S. Government officials from the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Labor, or Department of Justice. The new Form I-9 contains a revision date in the lower right hand corner denoted “Rev. 03/08/13.”
Next Steps
Since the new forms are available now, employers should download and use the new form as soon as they are able. Although the existing form may be used until May 7, after May 7 failure to use the new I-9 will result in fines and civil penalties that can range from $100 to $1000 per violation. Download the new form here.
If you have any questions about the new I-9, contact me or visit my website.
No comments:
Post a Comment