New Forms & Deadlines for Business Owners

As the new year approaches, most business owners are busy finishing up paperwork, projects and meeting end-of-the-year deadlines. With all the excitement, don’t overlook two important federal deadlines.

New Form I-9 Released

A new version of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, was released on Monday, November 11, 2016 and is available through the USCIS website.Click here to download the new Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (downloads as a pdf.) The form is dated November 14, 2016 and has an expiration date of August 31, 2019. The previous version of the form must be phased out before January 22, 2017. Click to read more about the new form.

I-9 Updates

• Focus has shifted to digital form use, but still requires a handwritten signature
• Digital form ensures that required fields are completed
• Changes in the wording of some form fields
• Ability to enter multiple preparers and translators

New Due Date for Forms W-2

If you’re a business owner, go put a deadline reminder on your calendar now for January 31, 2017. This is your new due date for filing forms W-2. The new filing deadline also applies for certain forms 1099-MISC reporting non-employee compensation such as payments to independent contractors.

The new law also changes the rules for extending time to file forms W-2. Now you can only request one 30-day extension and it is not automatic. If an extension is needed, you must file form 8809, Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns as soon as you know an extension is necessary. Click to read more about the deadline change for Forms W-2.