I have a question, I wanted to check it wit y'all before we sell this stock. Before you ask, I DId check the info to the right of the screen (Netting? hunh?) and can't figure it out, except that I think if there is only one stock involved netting is moot.(we only have the one stock)

Situation: Have some stock that was received by PRUdential when they went public. Spouse's insurance policy bought for him when he was a kid.
I know this is considered "long term" because this is over 30 years ago.
Considering selling all or part(??)of it for "expenses", such as mortgage, health insurance, visiting Sr. dad, while waiting for my possible full time work to come through in fall.

Last year we had sufficiently low income--even counting unemployment 1099's--that we got back ALL the money we had deducted from our other checks (W-2's). I anticipate low income for 04 also, since for the 1st half of year I'm a substitute & not getting a lot of income, neither is DH.
Suppose we get around $1500 from sales of the stock (very rough guess).
How do I determine how much would be taxed, presuming a very low tax
bracket? would it be better to sell now, with a LOW annual income, rather than later when (I hope!) we make more?
Added info: we are about 50 & 54 so not that far from retirement, so
this might be taken into account (not a very long time for the stock to
grow, if we choose to keep it there). It has so far paid little (under $20) dividends which I had not chosen to reinvest.

Also, if the state deduction for health insurance/HMO (from my state check)
is near $400, is there any way to deduct that or no?

Sincere appreciation in advance for all your help
joycets, who more often frequents the cc & budget board, etc.