Affiliate Marketing Secrets

Instead of subjecting myself to an ordinary day-job, I want to become an affiliate for websites such as Clickbank, CPALead, or Neverblueads. The only problem is, I don’t know how to pay for taxes. I hear things about “sole proprietor” and four payments a year, but no one gave me a definite answer.
I just turned 18 last week, so some of you could probably imagine how frightened I feel. I have thoughts of some IRS desk jockey breaking down my door with a big rubber “AUDIT” stamp and taking all of my possessions and ruining my life (overplayed? yes).
If anyone could help me and explain what I need to do to pay taxes and avoid uncle sam’s ban hamer that would be great =)
Thank you ahead of time,
Angela