If you were paid by a personal check, and you did not receive a 1099-misc or W2, you were treated as an independent contractor and would need to file as "Self-Employed" to claim the income and pay the taxes on that income. If the person that paid you treated you as an employee, they have a legal obligation to withhold taxes and issue a W2 to you.
Click
here for information from the IRS about employees and independent contractors.
