YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
By DAVID BROWN

If you expect a refund on your Federal taxes, you can avoid a delay by making sure all names and Social Security numbers are recorded correctly on your tax return.

Mr. Brown is District Manager of the Social Security Administration's Downtown New York Office.

When processing tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) checks all names and Social Security numbers for accuracy. When IRS discovers an incorrect Social Security number on your tax return, it sends you a letter explaining the discrepancy. To fix the problem, you'll need to give IRS the correct Social Security number before you can expect your tax refund.

If you don't have a number or you need one for a dependent, call or visit Social Security. You'll need to show your age, citizenship or lawful alien status, and verify your identity. To learn more about the sort of information and documents you may need to submit, visit Social Security's Card and Number Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ .

You should also check the Social Security number on your W-2 statement and pay stubs to make sure it matches the one on your card. If it does not match, tell your employer immediately and also contact Social Security.

Visit Social Security's Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ to learn more about Social Security cards and numbers. You also can visit your local Social Security office, or call 1-800-772-1213. For the deaf and hard of hearing, the TTY number is 1-800-325-0778.

Social Security's Internet site, www.socialsecurity.gov , is among the most popular of government Web sites. In fact, in a survey conducted by the American Customer Satisfaction Index, four of the top five services evaluated are located on Social Security's Web site. Our Social Security Benefits Application was number one, followed by the Application for Extra Help Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs page and the Social Security Business Services Online page. In fifth place was the Social Security Retirement Planner.

The reason for the high ratings is simple: each year more people find that they like the speed and convenience of applying for benefits at Social Security Online. A report released earlier this year by the American Customer Satisfaction Index states that Social Security is "doing a stellar job of meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of citizens" with the Internet application for retirement, spouse and disability benefits.

Our Social Security Web site also has other popular and useful features in addition to those cited above. People who already receive benefits can change their address and phone number online, sign up for direct deposit or apply for a replacement Medicare card. Need information? You can find out almost anything you want or need to know about the Social Security program, from how to get a Social Security number to how to go back to work while receiving disability benefits.

Information is available online 24 hours a day. Online services are available each weekday from 5 a.m. until 1 a.m. And on weekends Web site visitors can conduct business on Saturday from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m., and on Sunday from 8 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Find out why Social Security's Web site is so popular by checking out just how much you can do online at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices/.