Internal I-9 Audit Checklist

Are You Ready for an I-9 Pop-Quiz? Answer this simple question:

How prepared is your organization for an I-9 audit?

A) "We have a proven system in place and regularly verify our compliance."

B) "We're mostly compliant, but there might be some gaps."

C) "We handle I-9s as they come but don't have a formal process."

D) "I'm not entirely sure our I-9s would pass a thorough review."

If you answered anything other than "A," you're opening your organization up to serious risk– including fines up to $2,789 per violation. Our comprehensive I-9 Internal Audit Checklist walks you through every step, from identifying errors to correcting forms, so you can confidently manage your workforce.

What's Inside?

Let this checklist be your I-9 audit cheat sheet by providing you with:

A step-by-step guide to conducting an internal I-9 audit
Common I-9 errors & how to fix them correctly
Best practices for record-keeping and audit preparation

This checklist will ensure you're always audit-ready—no surprises, no penalties.

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What is an I-9 Audit?

An I-9 audit is a review of your company’s employment verification records to ensure compliance with federal law. An audit can be conducted internally or by government agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Employers must ensure that:

Every employee has a properly completed Form I-9 on file.
Documents provided for work authorization are valid and recorded correctly.
Forms are retained for the required period.

Failing an I-9 audit can result in financial penalties, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences, so it’s critical that your organization stays on top of compliance.

What Triggers an I-9 Audit?

An I-9 audit can be triggered by various factors, including:

Database Red Flags: Being in high-risk industries, geographic hotspots, or past compliance issues.
Business Changes: Mergers, acquisitions, or ownership transitions).
Complaints or Tips: From employees, job candidates, competitors, or anonymous sources.
Negative Media Attention: Especially attention for hiring-related issues.
Investigations by Other Government Agencies: Including the IRS and Homeland Security.

Understanding what triggers an audit allows businesses to take proactive steps in ensuring all I-9 forms are correctly completed and maintained.

What is Form I-9 Compliance?

I-9 compliance means ensuring that your organization correctly completes, maintains, and stores I-9 forms for all employees. Employers must:

Follow the latest USCIS guidelines and use the most current version of Form I-9.
Conduct regular internal audits to identify and correct errors.
Implement proper record-keeping practices to meet federal retention requirements.
Reverify work authorization when necessary.

Non-compliance can result in fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per violation, even for unintentional mistakes.

Who Needs to Fill Out an I-9 Form?

Form I-9 must be completed by:

All new employees hired in the United States, including full-time, part-time, and temporary workers.
U.S. citizens and non-citizens authorized to work in the U.S.
Independent contractors and volunteers are not required to complete Form I-9.

Stay Compliant and Confident With Mitratech

Mitratech's I-9 management solution is the only solution that has maintained a perfect 20+ year track record of compliance with U.S. government agencies. Our I-9 management keeps you compliant and provides you with:

Electronic I-9 Management: Easily complete and keep track of all I-9s digitally.
Simplified Storage: Quickly access records when you need them.
Security and Compliance: All I-9s are stored securely to ensure data protection.

To learn more about how Mitratech can help schedule a demo with our team today!

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