Back wages are taxable and are reported on a W-2 in the year paid. I assume you received the money in 2020. California or your temp agency should have sent you a W-2 and would withhold Social Security.
Is there a phone number you can call? For example, did the check come with a letter? If not, try contacting the temp agency to see whether they have any information.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the SSA consider back pay awards to be wages. However, for income tax purposes, the IRS treats all back pay as wages in the year paid.
Employers should use Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or electronic wage reports to report back pay as wages in the year they actually pay the employee.
In the worst case, you can prepare a substitute W-2, but there was probably some federal tax withheld on your behalf and you would not know the amount, meaning your tax return would show a large bill.
Related Resources:
Reporting Back Pay
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