yes, which is the problem i've outlined above your post - ie the 20k average figure.I'm not big on averages. If nine writers each earn a hundred bucks per year, and one writer earns a million, the average means they should all be be living pretty high on the hog.
by having the which bracket thing i think the picture is clearer
yes, only your own earnings.I voted based on my income alone. I write with a co-author and split revenue 50/50, so I'd be in a different bracket if I included actual contract earnings.