If you're an American business entrepreneur, you should know about the online business services available through Social Security that will lighten your paperwork burdens.

The Business Services Online (BSO) Web page at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso lets you conduct business with Social Security online in a secure environment. All users, in fact, must register to use the Web site, and a password is required to actually conduct business. What can users do at the BSO Web site? Following is a sample.

File W-2 Reports Electronically. Among the most useful services is the way in which businesses can report wages online instead of on paper. Users of this service simply log in and select the option for creating wage reports online.

The instructions explain how to print the W-2s to give to employees, plus copies of the W-3 and W-2s for the business owner's records.

When the actual online report is submitted, an electronic receipt is created, complete with the filing date and time.

Verify Social Security Numbers Online. Two Internet verification options allow employers to verify that workers' names and Social Security numbers match Social Security's records for wage reporting purposes only. Employers can verify up to 10 names and Social Security numbers (per screen) online and receive immediate results. This option is ideal for verifying new hires. In addition, they can upload as many as 250,000 names and Social Security numbers in overnight files,

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and usually they will receive the results on the next government business day. This option is ideal for those who want to verify an entire payroll database or if an employer hires a large number of workers at a time.

It is important that an employer makes sure that his or her employees' wages are being reported under the correct Social Security numbers - and these services make the verification process simple.

This year join the thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs who already save themselves valuable time and effort by doing business with Social Security online. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/bso to get started.

Reaching age 65 or full retirement age in 2008? - If you will turn 65 or reach full retirement age in 2008 and have not filed a Social Security or Medicare application, we can provide you with information that will be helpful in determining when to file an application. Mail us the following information:

- Your name.
- Social Security number.
- Estimated 2007 earnings.
- Estimated 2008 earnings.
- Complete mailing address.
- Telephone number (both home and work).
-Date of birth.
- If you plan to retire in 2008, month in which you would.
- Spouse's Social Security number.
- Spouse's date of birth.
- If spouse is deceased, give date of death.

Send it to: Your Social Security, Social Security Administration, 3885 Main St., 3rd Floor, Bridgeport CT 06606. Attn: A. Renzoni.

Anthony Renzoni is district manager of the Bridgeport office of the Social Security Administration.

His column appears every Monday.