Beginning January 22, 2017, the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires use of revised I-9 Form for employment eligibility verification.

Reported changes to the new version include:

• Section 1 asks for “other last names used” rather than “other names used,” and streamlines certification for certain foreign nationals.
• The addition of prompts to ensure information is entered correctly.
• The ability to enter multiple preparers and translators.
• A dedicated area for including additional information rather than having to add it in the margins.
• A supplemental page for the preparer/translator.

The instructions have been separated from the form, in line with other USCIS forms, and include specific instructions for completing each field.

The revised Form I-9 is also easier to complete on a computer. Enhancements include drop-down lists and calendars for filling in dates, on-screen instructions for each field, easy access to the full instructions, and an option to clear the form and start over. When the employer prints the completed form, a quick response (QR) code is automatically generated, which can be read by most QR readers.

Form I-9 requirements were established in November 1986 when Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). IRCA prohibits employers from hiring people, including U.S. citizens, for employment in the United States without verifying their identity and employment authorization on Form I-9.

For links to forms, instructions and guidance for completing Form I-9 visit https://www.uscis.gov/i-9 or visit I-9 Central at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central .

For additional Human Resource Consultation, please reach out to a member of Dermody, Burke & Brown.

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The information reflected in this article was current at the time of publication. This information will not be modified or updated for any subsequent tax law changes, if any.