MR.QA

I understand this year's long term capital gain tax is 0% for the bottom two tax bracket, which means if you earn less than ~34k, otherwise you pay 15%. The question is, if I am in the higher bracket, do I pay 15% excess of 34k, or do I need to pay 15% for the entire capital gains amount? So my taxes looks like ~30k in income, ~16k of deductions, and ~39k of capital gains, so does that 0% helped save a little or helped me none at all? Thanks in advance.

I have two questions:

1. Can short-term capital gains loss offset long-term gain in stocks? Or only loss from short-term offset short-term gain and long-term can only offset long-term?

2. If I understand correctly, there is a rule something like you cannot sell a stock to report a loss then buy the same stock back within a month? Am I right?

Thanks.

Do Franchise HQ payout benefit from decoration bonuses?

assuming my total gross income (income + interest + dividends + stock profits - deductibles) falls under 2010 US 15% bracket. i would pay no CG tax right? how do i state that on the tax returns or will the IRS automatically know?

primary experiences please.