Form I-9 Fines Increase Yet Again Due to Annual Inflation

Lindsay Morton • March 30, 2023

Form I-9 fines have increased yet again due to inflation. Effective as of January 15, 2023, the increase in penalties relates to violations assessed on or after January 13, 2023. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published this rule to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by the Inflation Adjustment Act.

The Inflation Adjustment Act requires the Department to annually adjust its civil money penalty levels for inflation no later than January 15 of each year.


Here's a summary of how fines have increased:


  • Minimum Substantive Form I-9 Violations (1st offense) have increased from $252 to $272 per form. 
  • Maximum Substantive Form I-9 Violations (1st offense) have increased from $2,507 to $2,701 per form. 
  • The penalty for knowingly employing undocumented workers (1st offense) now ranges from $679 to $5,404.


More information can be found in the Federal Register publication here.


As Form I-9 fines continue to increase every U.S. employer needs to ensure that stay on top of Form I-9 compliance requirements. Even though you may be juggling several HR and staffing priorities, falling behind on Form I-9 and E-Verify regulations may be something that your organization can't afford.

Calculate I-9 Risk

Have Questions or Need More Information?

HR professional reviewing digital I-9s with an auditor, exposing risks of non-compliance.

Compliant I-9 vs. Non-Compliant I-9: The Costly Difference

By Melissa Prentice • April 15, 2025
Many employers assume their I-9 process is compliant—until an audit proves otherwise. This article explains the real risks of using non-compliant systems and what makes an I-9 truly audit-ready. Learn how Clear I-9 helps ensure full compliance with ICE, DHS, and USCIS standards.
Concerned employer reviewing documents, reflecting E-Verify and I-9 confusion.

E-Verify vs. Form I-9: The Confusion Costing Employers Big

By Melissa Prentice • April 7, 2025
Many employers mistakenly believe that using E-Verify ensures full I-9 compliance. However, I-9 errors can still lead to severe penalties. This article explores the critical differences between Form I-9 and E-Verify, highlights state-specific requirements, and explains why an automated I-9 solution is vital for risk-free hiring.
More Posts