What is the purpose of form I-9?

Form I-9 is designed specifically to verify an employee's identity and establish their eligibility to work in the United States. This form requires both the employer and the employee to provide certain information and documentation. The employer must examine the documents that the employee presents to prove their identity and work authorization. This process is essential for compliance with federal immigration laws to ensure that only individuals who are legally permitted to work can gain employment.

The other options listed do not pertain to the function of Form I-9. For instance, requesting a tax identification number is handled through different forms, such as the IRS Form W-4 or the application for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Registering employees for health benefits just involves different paperwork, typically handled separately through human resources departments or insurance providers. Moreover, documenting an employee's job performance relates to performance evaluations and is unrelated to the purpose of Form I-9. By focusing on identity and eligibility verification, Form I-9 plays a critical role in upholding the integrity of the workforce.