Why it is important to purge your Form I-9s [Video]

Every so often, employers are allowed to get rid of a few qualifying Form I-9s, which can be a huge help.

Employers must have a completed I-9 on file for each person on their payroll that is required to complete the form. Once someone no longer works for the employer, the employer must determine how much longer to keep the employee's I-9.

While they aren't required to delete or throw out their I-9s, documents that could have been tossed may prove troublesome during an audit.

The rule states that employers must hold on to any given I-9 for three years after the date of hire, or one year after employment is terminated, whichever day is later.

If an employer neglects to do so, and is subsequently named in a Form I-9 audit, those old I-9s can be used against them if they contain errors.

An annual review of which I-9s to purge can help employers avoid unnecessary violations. 

Electronic I-9 solutions offered by I-9 Advantage can also help to reduce legal liability, with automatic I-9 purge updates, which comply with the three year/one year rule.