What is the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains?

Short-term capital gains apply to assets held for 12 months or less and are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate (10-37%). Long-term capital gains apply to assets held longer than 12 months and are taxed at preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%), which are significantly lower for most taxpayers.

What are the 2026 long-term capital gains tax rates?

0% up to $49,450 single / $66,200 head of household / $98,900 married filing jointly; 15% from there up to $545,500 single / $579,600 HoH / $613,700 MFJ; 20% above those thresholds. Select your filing status above and the calculator picks the right bracket table automatically. High earners also owe a separate 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (MAGI over $200,000 single/HoH, $250,000 MFJ) - check the "Subject to NIIT" box above to include it in your Tax Owed figure; it's off by default since the calculator doesn't collect your full income to check the threshold for you.

Can I use capital losses to offset capital gains?

Yes! Capital losses can offset capital gains dollar-for-dollar. If losses exceed gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 against ordinary income annually. Remaining losses carry forward to future years indefinitely.

How can I minimize capital gains tax?

Hold assets for >1 year for lower long-term rates. Harvest tax losses to offset gains. Donate appreciated assets to charity for deduction without paying tax. Use tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA, HSA) where gains grow tax-free. Time sales in lower-income years.

Do I pay state capital gains tax too?

Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income at state income tax rates (0-13.3%). Nine states have no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. California has the highest at 13.3%.

What assets are subject to capital gains tax?

Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate (excluding primary residence exclusion), cryptocurrency, collectibles, business interests, and other investment assets. Primary residence has $250k exclusion ($500k married) if owned/lived in 2 of last 5 years.

Finance Calculators

Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Calculate federal capital gains tax on investments based on purchase price, sale price, holding period, filing status (single, married filing jointly, or head of household), and income tax bracket. Features short-term vs long-term rate comparison, an optional 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) surcharge, a bracket-by-bracket tax breakdown, net proceeds after taxes, and tax-reduction strategies.

How to Use the Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Use the Capital Gains Tax Calculator to federal capital gains tax on investments based on purchase price, sale price, holding period, filing status (single, married filing jointly, or head of household), and income tax bracket. Features short-term vs long-term rate comparison, an optional 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) surcharge, a bracket-by-bracket tax breakdown, net proceeds after taxes, and tax-reduction strategies.. Enter your values to get accurate, instant results tailored to your situation.

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Capital Gains Tax Mastery

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Expert Tips

Hold for >1 Year: Holding assets for longer than 12 months (366+ days) qualifies for long-term capital gains tax (0%, 15%, or 20%) instead of short-term rates (10-37%). Example: $25,000 gain in 24% bracket = $6,000 short-term tax vs $3,750 long-term tax—saving $2,250 (37.5%) just by waiting 1 more year.
Tax-Loss Harvesting: Offset capital gains by selling losing investments before year-end. Capital losses cancel gains dollar-for-dollar, plus you can deduct $3,000 extra against ordinary income annually. Unused losses carry forward indefinitely. Example: $25K gain + $15K loss = only $10K taxable gain, saving $2,250-3,700 in taxes (24% bracket).
Primary Residence Exclusion: Sell your primary home tax-free if you lived there 2+ years: $250K gain excluded (single) or $500K (married). Example: Buy house for $300K, sell for $700K = $400K gain. Married couples pay $0 tax vs $60,000 if treated as investment property (15% rate). Must meet 2-of-5 years ownership/residency test.
Use Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Investments in 401k, IRA, Roth IRA, and HSA grow without capital gains tax. Traditional accounts defer all taxes; Roth accounts pay zero taxes on gains forever. Example: $100K gain in taxable account = $15K tax (15% rate). Same gain in Roth IRA = $0 tax. Over 30 years, tax-free growth adds $50K+ to retirement.
Timing Sales Strategically: Sell assets in low-income years to drop into lower tax brackets. If retiring or taking sabbatical, time sales then. Example: Normally in 32% bracket (20% LTCG). In low-income year drop to 22% bracket (15% LTCG)—save 5% on $100K gain = $5,000. Or delay 1 week to next year for better bracket.
Gifting Appreciated Assets: Donate appreciated stocks/assets to charity for double benefit: 1) Deduct full market value from taxes (not just cost basis), 2) Pay zero capital gains tax. Example: Stock bought for $10K, now $50K. Donate to charity: $50K tax deduction (saves $12K in 24% bracket) + avoid $6K capital gains tax = $18K total tax benefit vs selling and donating cash.

Essential Fundamentals — Tax basics & rates

Capital Gains Basics

Capital Gain Definition: Profit from selling an asset for more than you paid. Formula: Capital Gain = Sale Price - Cost Basis (purchase price + fees/improvements). Example: Buy stock for $50K, sell for $75K = $25K gain. Taxable in year of sale, not when asset appreciates. Applies to stocks, bonds, real estate, crypto, collectibles, business interests.
Short-Term vs Long-Term: Holding period determines tax rate. Short-term: ≤12 months, taxed at ordinary income rates (10-37%). Long-term: >12 months, taxed at preferential rates (0%, 15%, 20%). Example: $25K gain, 24% bracket. Short-term tax: $6,000 (24%). Long-term tax: $3,750 (15%). Savings: $2,250 (37.5% less) by holding 1 more year.
2026 Long-Term Rates: 0% rate: Income up to $49,450 single ($98,900 married). Ideal for retirees, low-income years. 15% rate: Income $49,451-$545,500 single ($98,901-$613,700 married). Most taxpayers fall here. 20% rate: Income above $545,500 single ($613,700 married). High earners only. Plus: 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) if income exceeds $200K single ($250K married) - not included in this calculator's "Tax Owed" figure.
Cost Basis Calculation: Cost basis = original purchase price + commissions + improvements (for real estate). Selling price - cost basis = capital gain. Example: Stock: Buy 100 shares @ $500 + $10 commission = $50,010 basis. Sell @ $750 - $10 commission = $74,990. Gain: $74,990 - $50,010 = $24,980. Real Estate: Buy $300K + $50K renovations = $350K basis. Sell $700K - $35K agent commission = $665K. Gain: $665K - $350K = $315K (before primary residence exclusion).

Tax Calculation Methods

Federal Tax Formula: Step 1: Calculate gain = Sale price - Cost basis. Step 2: Determine holding period (short or long-term). Step 3: Apply tax rate (ordinary for short-term, preferential for long-term). Step 4: Add NIIT if applicable (3.8% for high earners). Example: $25K gain, held 18 months, 24% bracket. Tax: $25K × 15% LTCG = $3,750. If income >$200K single: Add $25K × 3.8% NIIT = $950. Total: $4,700.
State Capital Gains Tax: Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income at state rates (0-13.3%). No state tax: AK, FL, NV, NH, SD, TN, TX, WA, WY (9 states). Highest: CA (13.3%), NY (10.9%), OR (9.9%). Example: $100K gain, 15% federal LTCG + 9.9% OR state = 24.9% total rate = $24,900 tax. Move to FL before sale: 15% federal only = $15,000. Savings: $9,900 (39.6% less).
Capital Loss Offsets: Losses offset gains dollar-for-dollar. Excess losses: Deduct $3,000/year against ordinary income. Unused losses carry forward indefinitely. Example: $25K gain + $40K loss = $15K net loss. Use $3K against income (saves $720 in 24% bracket). Carry forward $12K to next year. Next year: $20K gain - $12K carryover = $8K taxable gain. Tax: $1,200 (15% LTCG) instead of $3,000 without loss offset.
Wash Sale Rule: Cannot claim loss if you buy "substantially identical" asset within 30 days before/after sale. 61-day window (30 before + sale day + 30 after). Applies to stocks, options, not crypto (yet). Example: Sell AAPL stock for $10K loss Dec 15. Buy AAPL Jan 10 (within 30 days). Loss DISALLOWED for taxes. Workaround: Buy similar stock (MSFT instead of AAPL), or wait 31+ days to repurchase.

Advanced Strategies — Minimize tax burden

Tax Optimization Strategies

Tax-Loss Harvesting: Systematically sell losing investments before Dec 31 to offset gains. Best practices: Harvest losses in down years (2022, 2025 if market drops). Offset short-term gains first (save more, 24-37% vs 15%). Replace with similar (not identical) investment to maintain exposure. Example: $50K gains this year. Harvest $50K losses from underperformers. Net: $0 taxable gain. Tax saved: $7,500-12,000 (15-24% rate). Bonus: $3K loss deduction against income if losses exceed gains.
Asset Location Strategy: Place high-growth, high-turnover investments in tax-advantaged accounts; hold stable, low-turnover in taxable accounts. Tax-advantaged (401k, IRA, Roth): Growth stocks, REITs, bonds (high ordinary income). Taxable accounts: Index funds (low turnover), qualified dividends, muni bonds (tax-free). Example: $100K growth stock gains in Roth IRA: $0 tax forever. Same in taxable: $15K tax (15% LTCG). Over 30 years: $200K+ savings from proper asset location.
Bunching & Timing Sales: Concentrate capital gains in low-income years to drop into lower brackets. Scenarios: Sabbatical year, job loss, retirement, entrepreneurship (low-income startup phase). Example: Normally earn $150K (24% bracket, 15% LTCG). Take sabbatical year: $30K income (12% bracket, 0% LTCG). Sell $100K appreciated stock that year: $0 capital gains tax vs $15K in normal year. Savings: $15,000 by timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains?: Short-term capital gains apply to assets held for 12 months or less and are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate (10-37%). Long-term capital gains apply to assets held longer than 12 months and are taxed at preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%), which are significantly lower for most taxpayers.
What are the 2026 long-term capital gains tax rates?: 0% up to $49,450 single / $66,200 head of household / $98,900 married filing jointly; 15% from there up to $545,500 single / $579,600 HoH / $613,700 MFJ; 20% above those thresholds. Select your filing status above and the calculator picks the right bracket table automatically. High earners also owe a separate 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (MAGI over $200,000 single/HoH, $250,000 MFJ) - check the "Subject to NIIT" box above to include it in your Tax Owed figure; it's off by default since the calculator doesn't collect your full income to check the threshold for you.
Can I use capital losses to offset capital gains?: Yes! Capital losses can offset capital gains dollar-for-dollar. If losses exceed gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 against ordinary income annually. Remaining losses carry forward to future years indefinitely.
How can I minimize capital gains tax?: Hold assets for >1 year for lower long-term rates. Harvest tax losses to offset gains. Donate appreciated assets to charity for deduction without paying tax. Use tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA, HSA) where gains grow tax-free. Time sales in lower-income years.
Do I pay state capital gains tax too?: Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income at state income tax rates (0-13.3%). Nine states have no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. California has the highest at 13.3%.
What assets are subject to capital gains tax?: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate (excluding primary residence exclusion), cryptocurrency, collectibles, business interests, and other investment assets. Primary residence has $250k exclusion ($500k married) if owned/lived in 2 of last 5 years.