if your "employer" was treating you as an independent contractor you should have gotten a 1099-Misc instead of a W-2. possibly the easiest way to tell is to look at your paystubs if you still have them. if the payments are gross without deductions for medicare, social security, etc. then it's likely you were an IC so you will need to prepare a schedule C for your 1040. if you were an employee but can't get W-2 you can go to the IRS website to get a transcript of it. There will be no state info. So if you also need state info you'll need to contact the Social Security Adm which can provide a complete copy of the W-2. there is a fee.
