Thank you for answering that.  When I was employed (W2) and made $10k, it was so little that I got back everything they took out for SS & Medicare PLUS I got back my EIC.  So it's the exact same amount of money whether employed or SE and instead of getting back about $800 this year, I have to pay $450.  I get the math, it just baffles me.  Since I personally didn't pay for SS & Medicare, I didn't realize my employer, who is now me, still had to pay it.

Actually, you didn't "get back" the SS & Medicare that would have been withheld on a W-2.  These taxes are not refundable.
What you might have received back when you received a W-2 and filed your income tax return would be any federal INCOME TAX that might have been withheld from your paycheck....along with any EIC.

Yes, for self-employed people, it is a double edged sword.  They end up paying the employee's share of SS & Medicare...and since they are also the employer, they end up paying the employer's share as well.

Then, just as in the case of a W-2, there is income tax to be paid as well.  Basically being self-employed adds about        7 1/2% tax to the individual....the employer's share of SS & Medicare.