HOW TO REGISTER

Back to Table of Contents

You must register in order to use Business Services Online. Every Business Services Online user must register personally. You may not register on behalf of another person.

Business Services Online uses the Integrated Registration Services (IRES) for user registration and to control access to Business Services Online functions. To register, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/bso/bsowelcome.htm and click on the Register button.

Do not use your browser's Back, Forward, or Refresh buttons while you are completing the registration form. This could clear the information in the form.

For information about registering for Business Services Online using IRES, see the User Registration Handbook .

If you provide an e-mail address when you register, Social Security will be able to send you W-2 News, which is an electronic newsletter that provides important wage and tax reporting updates.

WAGE REPORTING SERVICES FOR EMPLOYERS

Back to Table of Contents

The following wage reporting services are available under Social Security Services Suite for Employers:

Report Wages to Social Security

• Create, save, resume, print, and submit Forms W-2 and W-2c Online,
  
  
• Submit/Resubmit wage files that are prepared in the Electronic Filing (EF) format,
  
  
• Check report status, errors, and notice information for previously submitted wage reports,
  
  
• Check report status or view errors for reports submitted for your company by a third party, and
  
  
• Acknowledge resubmission notice if Social Security notified you of errors in your submission that need to be fixed and/or request a one-time extension for resubmission.

View Name and Social Security Number Errors

This service includes access to all the information about the uploaded formatted wage files and wage reports. Access to this service involves a more rigorous process and requires pre-authorization from your employer. If access is requested, your employer will be notified via first class mail, usually within 2 weeks. The notice will include an activation code which is needed to activate your request to:

• Review the status of uploaded formatted wage files and wage reports submitted by or for your company,
  
  
• Review the errors, including Name/Social Security Number mismatches, found by Social Security in wage files submitted by or for your company, and
  
  
• Review error notices, including Name/ Social Security Number Mismatch notices, sent by Social Security about wage files submitted by or for your company.

You can also get a copy of the Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS) Handbook at SSNVS Handbook.

ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE

Back to Table of Contents

It is important to keep your Business Services Online IRES Account information up to date. If you no longer require a service, you may deactivate some or all of your access. You also should add, update, or remove your Employer information whenever a change occurs. If your IRES User ID is disclosed to an unauthorized person, you will need to deactivate it to ensure the security of the information you provide to Social Security. It is also important to Change Your Password frequently. For more information about account maintenance, see the User Registration Handbook .