I'm a dependent, why do I have to pay taxes?

[cinqala]

I was a student, live at home and do not pay for more than half of my expenses. Why do I have to pay so much in taxes?

[Fern · Accepted solution]

As a dependent on someone else's tax return, if you work for someone else and get a W-2, you can make up to $6,300 before you start paying taxes.  However, if you receive a 1099 misc, you must pay self-employment tax. Self employment tax includes social security tax and medicare tax(both the employer portion and the employee portion).