<prompt> Human: My first paycheck was 1550, they took out 280 from it which is a little less than 20 of my pay check! Im in my last year of undergrad going to start my masters soon and Ive been trying to calculate my finances for the next 2-3 years. But this puts a huge dent in everything.Why do they take so much? What can I do to get it back? Is it because Im single? Help plsEdit: So to summarize what you guys are telling me: suck it up, this is the real world. Thanks lolEdit 2: I know that my taxes go for roads, school, health care, etc. I just didnt know itd be that much.  <response>: Congratulations, you are finally a contributing member of society. 