<prompt> Human: Sorry if this is a stupid question. Im 20 and have no idea how the world works. Ive just recently started working my first real job at Home Depot. When I look at my pay statements for each 2 week period, the percentage I pay in taxes appears to increase drastically depending on how much I made during the period.For example, the first 2 weeks I made 140.88 and they took 17.29 in taxes which is 12.3.On my most recent pay statement I made 566.38 and they took 19 in taxes. On another pay statement I earned 658 and they took 19.9 in taxes. Is there simply a positive correlation between amount earned and amount taken as taxes? I was under the impression that taxes are relatively constant.I was able to very briefly talk to the HR lady at work about it and she told me to change my dependents to 1 instead of 0. I dont have any dependents and from what Ive googled you dont include yourself as a dependent. Im quite confused. Can somebody please give me some insight on how income taxes work? Thanks a lot.  <response>: Because taxes arent a flat rate. As you make more, you pay a higher percentage in taxes. 