Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Estimate your tax on investment profits from stocks, crypto, real estate, and other assets.
Investment Details
Tax Year
Purchase Price (Cost Basis)
$
Sale Price
$
Holding Period
Filing Status
▼
Annual Taxable Income (excluding this gain)
$
Tax Summary
$0
Estimated Capital Gains Tax
Capital Gain/Loss
$0
Tax Rate
0%
Net Profit (After Tax)
$0
Effective Tax Rate
0%
Profit Distribution
0%
You Keep
Net Profit $0
Tax $0
Short-Term vs Long-Term Gains
The IRS taxes capital gains differently based on how long you held the asset.
Short-term gains (held ≤1 year) are taxed as ordinary income at your marginal tax rate, which can be as high as 37%.
Long-term gains (held >1 year) receive preferential tax rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income level.
Capital Gain = Sale Price − Cost Basis
2026 Long-Term Capital Gains Rates
| Rate | Single | Married Joint | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | $0 – $49,450 | $0 – $98,900 | $0 – $66,200 |
| 15% | $49,451 – $545,500 | $98,901 – $613,700 | $66,201 – $579,600 |
| 20% | $545,501+ | $613,701+ | $579,601+ |
Source: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32. Updated after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (July 2025).
Tax-Saving Strategies
- Hold for over a year: Converting short-term to long-term gains can cut your tax rate by more than half.
- Tax-loss harvesting: Sell losing investments to offset gains. You can deduct up to $3,000 in net losses against ordinary income.
- Use tax-advantaged accounts: Gains in 401(k), IRA, or Roth IRA accounts grow tax-free or tax-deferred.
- Gift appreciated assets: Gifting to family in lower tax brackets or donating to charity can reduce or eliminate taxes.
Additional Taxes to Consider
- Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT): An additional 3.8% tax applies if your modified AGI exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married joint).
- State taxes: Most states also tax capital gains. California taxes them as ordinary income up to 13.3%.
- Collectibles: Art, antiques, coins, and precious metals are taxed at a maximum 28% rate, not the standard long-term rates.
- Real estate: Depreciation recapture on rental properties is taxed at 25%. Consider a 1031 exchange to defer taxes.