Own a business? Drowning in paper? Stop filing paper W-2s!

Social Security has a free electronic filing option available for small businesses that allows you to prepare and submit up to 20 W-2s (per report) over a secure Internet service. When you register to file electronically, here’s what you get:

  • Freedom from buying paper forms;
  • W-2s for your employees and for your records;
  • Electronic receipts you can use as proof that you filed on time; and
  • Until March 31 to file.

To register for a User ID and password

  1. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/employer ;
  2. Select "Business Services Online" (BSO);
  3. Select the "Register" button;
  4. Complete the registration form,
  5. Select your own password;
    NOTE: When you complete the registration process, a User ID will be displayed. You should make a note of your User ID and password.
  6. Select "Request access to BSO Services;" and;
  7. Complete the wizard for selecting the applications you want to access in BSO.

Get more information about filing W-2s online in the BSO Electronic W-2 Filing Handbook. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/employer and click on “Electronically File Your W-2s” or call us toll-free at 1-800-772-6270 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

To Use W-2 Online

  1. At www.socialsecurity.gov, select Business Services Online and choose “Log in;”
  2. Enter your User ID and password;
  3. From the main Menu, select “Report Wages to Social Security;”
  4. Select “Submit or Resubmit Wage File, W-2 Online, W-2c Online and View Submission Status;” and
  5. On the next screen, select “Create Forms W-2 Online.”

More information about filing W-2s online

You can find more information about filing W-2s online in the BSO Handbook. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/employer and select “Electronically File Your W-2s.”

Need help?

For technical support, such as connection and transmission questions, call us at 1-888-772-2970 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call our TTY number,1-800-325-0778), or E-mail us at bso.support@ssa.gov.

For help with wage reporting and registration procedures, call the Employer Reporting Service Center toll-free at 1-800-772-6270 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778).

Contacting Social Security

Our website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. There are a number of things you can do online.

In addition to using our website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls.

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