What is a deduction? this is my first time filing taxes ever and i dont understand.

[fanfare]

Read up in Publication 17 available at www.irs.gov

[VolvoGirl]

Did it say you are getting the Standard Deduction?  That is a good thing.  Everyone gets to deduct the Standard Deduction or all their Itemized Deductions off their income before the tax is calculated.  Are you Single?  Then you get a 12,400 Standard Deduction.  It means the first 12,400 of your income is not taxed.  So you get taxed on a lower amount.