<prompt> Human: Im self employed; made 23,700 in 2014. Taxslayer tells me owe 2900 in Self Employment tax 1,200 from 1040 line 56. An 18 rate seems unreasonable for someone as poor as I am, but maybe not? I dont have kids; didnt have anything withheld pay anything in advance.I can pay the bill, no problem... but shouldnt there be some kind of exemption for my situation? I thought poor people didnt pay taxes in this country!  <response>: No, there shouldnt be an exemption for you. All wage workers, no matter how little they make, contribute to social security and Medicare. Self-employed folks owe more, since they pay both the employer and the employee share of the taxes.You also say you didnt have anything withheld. People who dont have any taxes withheld will almost certainly owe taxes come April. 