One of the documents required by the Internal Revenue Service of each employee is the Form I-9. The purpose of the Form I-9 is to verify an individual’s identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Many businesses use E-Verify to verify employment eligibility during their onboarding process. Let’s take a look at what the E-Verify system is.
What is E-Verify?
E-Verify is a free internet based system that allows employers to verify an individual’s eligibility to work in the United States. The system gathers information an employer enters from an employee’s Form I-9. It then compares that information to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. This process provides quick and accurate results and allow employers to know if a certain applicant is eligible to work for them.
Are businesses required to use E-Verify?
In most cases, the system is not a requirement of businesses. Federally, the system is required for any employer with federal contracts or subcontracts that contain the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) E-Verify clause. Additionally, there are states that have specific requirements for the use of E-Verify. A few states require that all businesses use this system, other states require its’ use by only public businesses, and certain states require businesses of a certain size to verify eligibility electronically. Failure to comply with regulations can result in fines or penalties. Be sure to check your state’s requirements to ensure your business is maintaining compliance.
Benefits of verify eligibility electronically
There are many benefits of using the E-Verify system. First, the system is extremely fast. Employers can see results in a matter of seconds and check eligibility at any time as the system is available for use 24 hours a day. Next, the system reduces document fraud as it uses a photo-matching feature to accurately determine eligibility. Easy system integration allows a seamless flow into any business’ paperless onboarding process. Finally, the system’s reporting capability allows employers to monitor usage and provide proof of compliance to state or federal officials in case of an I-9 audit.