I started to work for this convenient store last month for $2000 a month plus some cash. I get my salary every 2 weeks. It seems like I've been paying too much of taxes. Of $1000 paycheck, I get $853. Is this normal? What might my employer doing wrong? Can taxes be $294 for $2000 earned?

Dude don't know how long are u in us, but no one can cheat u on taxes...if u pay more u will get back as tax return...so chill..

$147 for $1000 is 14.7%. That sounds about right for your income bracket.
Yaaku is right; your employer can withhold your payment but he won't be "cheating" you on taxes.

try this www.paycheckcity.com

 ...147 tax/biweekly sound ok....u are required to pay social security tax, medicare tax, federal tax n state tax....so dun worry u are not being deceived ....

Just to remind you, once you start earning more, expect more to pay in taxes..somewhere around 30-40%.

Some of you might find this helpful. 

http://taxfoundation.org/blog/2013-tax-brackets

don't you get W2 at the end? all confusion will clear up if you check that out..
and remember, starting Jan 2013, you must have seen tax go up.. meaning less pay than what you usually used to get for same job.

Yes you are paying too much. So are the rest of us.

when I first read the title, I thought it was some affairs with boss and employee

 My boss writes cheque from his chequebook. That's why I was little skeptical. I still have doubt on that bastard! He argues with almost all the venders in Houston and none of his friends like him. He is fu*king cheap and watching me on camera whole fu*king day and night. 

Is he tying you in chains and forcing you to work for him?
I bet the answer is a NO. Stop complaining about him unless he is causing you some kind of harm. He is fulfilling your needs, you can't expect him to be a saint. If you hate him that much, move on and find another job. Otherwise man-up and do your job.

 And thank you everyone for your inputs. You know, I don't want to pay taxes. It's too much. In the future, I will be taking cash and pay taxes on my own. I will pay as less taxes as I can. I don't want to depend on government when I get old. I'll get rich or die tryin! :)

Kiddo, the only reason I'm still working for him is because I want to show that I pay taxes. Before this, I worked at one place, where the employer would not write a check. He was writing check in his nephew or whoever's name, who wasn't even working.
Once, my wife arrives in US, I will start working on cash again. 

Those who don't appreciate their job,those who don't agree to pay tax to live in this country, are deserved to get fired and deported out of this country.

If your boss just informs you that 'this much of money is deducted as tax' tell him you want to see how much tax actually is deducted from your salary on your payroll stub or any other document. It is your right.

As goods and services are also taxed, everyone is paying tax. It is impossible not to pay tax. Death and taxes are two guarantees of life that one can never avoid.

That's a damn good statement, freedom2012.. that last sentence.

Thanks BT. Benjamin Franklin said that before and so did many others.

Did you work last year and did you get w-2? If you get w-2 you will know the math.
If you have not got W-2 then the difference will go to his pocket.

My paychecks aren't any different than yours, and from this year, about 20% of my gross income goes into taxes because now I have to pay social security and medicare taxes on top of federal income tax. Thank goodness, Texas doesn't charge state income tax!
You're paying a lot less than many are, so stop complaining and get back to work. Like others have said - if you're paying more than you should be, you'll get it back when you file your taxes.