How to use the capital gains tax calculator
- 1 Enter your capital gain: sale price minus your cost basis and selling costs.
- 2 Choose whether you held the asset more than one year or one year or less.
- 3 Enter your other income before deductions; the standard deduction is applied for you.
- 4 Choose your filing status and read the federal tax on the gain.
Worked example
A single filer with $90,000 of other income who sells shares held for three years at a $50,000 gain. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $73,900, already above the 0% band, so the whole gain is taxed at 15%: $7,500. Income stays under $200,000, so there is no NIIT, and you keep $42,500.
Ways to pay less capital gains tax
- Wait a year: holding an asset for more than one year turns a short-term gain, taxed up to 37%, into a long-term gain taxed at 0%, 15% or 20%.
- Use the 0% band: single filers with taxable income up to $49,450 in 2026 ($98,900 joint) pay no tax on long-term gains that fit under that line.
- Harvest losses: losses offset gains, and up to $3,000 of extra loss a year ($1,500 married filing separately) can offset ordinary income, with the rest carried forward.
- Your home: up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 joint) on a main home you owned and lived in for two of the last five years is excluded.
Collectibles such as art and coins are taxed at up to 28%. To see your full tax bill, add your other income in the Federal Income Tax Calculator.
Features
2026 long-term brackets
0% up to $49,450 of taxable income for single filers ($98,900 joint), 15% up to $545,500 ($613,700 joint) and 20% above.
Short-term gains
Gains on assets held a year or less are taxed at ordinary 2026 rates from 10% to 37%.
Stacking done right
The gain sits on top of your other income, so part can fall in the 0% band and part in 15%.
Net investment income tax
Adds the 3.8% NIIT on gains above $200,000 of income ($250,000 joint).
When to use it
Selling stock
Estimate tax before you sell shares or funds in a taxable account. See tax on your other income with the Federal Income Tax Calculator.
Timing a sale
See how waiting past one year changes the tax. Selling a rental? Check returns with the Rental Property Calculator.
Retirement years
Find how much gain fits in the 0% bracket in a low-income year. Model growth with the Compound Interest Calculator.
Selling a rental or second home
Get a first estimate before talking to a tax pro. Passing assets on? See the Estate Tax Calculator.
Related Tax tasks
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 capital gains tax rates?
Long-term gains are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20% depending on taxable income. For 2026 the 0% rate applies up to $49,450 for single filers, $98,900 for married couples filing jointly and $66,200 for heads of household.
What counts as long-term?
Assets held for more than one year. Assets held one year or less give short-term gains, taxed as ordinary income.
What is the net investment income tax?
An extra 3.8% on investment income, including capital gains, for people with modified AGI above $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly. These thresholds are not indexed for inflation.
Do I pay tax when I sell my home?
Up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married couples) on a main home is excluded if you owned and lived in it for two of the last five years.
Can losses reduce my tax?
Yes. Capital losses offset gains, and up to $3,000 of net losses a year can reduce ordinary income. Unused losses carry forward.
Are collectibles taxed differently?
Yes. Long-term gains on collectibles such as art, coins and gold are taxed at up to 28%, and part of real estate gains from depreciation at up to 25%. This calculator uses the standard rates.
Does my state tax capital gains?
Most states tax gains as ordinary income. A few, such as Texas, Florida and Washington for most taxpayers, have no state income tax on gains.
Is crypto taxed the same way?
Yes. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, so selling or swapping it creates a capital gain or loss.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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