Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Estimate 2026 federal tax on a stock, crypto, or property sale — short-term gains at ordinary rates vs long-term gains at 0%, 15%, or 20%.
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Adjust the inputs on the left to see your capital gains tax.
Sell an investment for more than you paid and the IRS taxes the difference — but how much depends almost entirely on how long you held it. Assets held one year or less generate short-term gains taxed at your ordinary income rates (10% to 37%), while assets held longer than a year qualify for the preferential long-term rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%. This calculator estimates the 2026 federal tax either way, using the thresholds from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
How it's calculated
gain = sale price − purchase price (cost basis)
Short-term:
tax = ordinaryTax(income + gain) − ordinaryTax(income)
Long-term (gain stacks on top of taxable income):
portion below $49,450* → 0%
portion up to $545,500* → 15%
portion above → 20%
(*2026 single-filer breakpoints; MFJ: $98,900 / $613,700)
Long-term gains "stack" on top of your other taxable income. A single filer with $40,000 of taxable income and a $20,000 long-term gain pays 0% on the first $9,450 of the gain (up to the $49,450 breakpoint) and 15% on the remaining $10,550 — a blended rate well under 15%.
Assumptions and limitations
This estimates federal tax only. The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), which applies when modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly), is not included — high earners should add it on top. State capital gains taxes (California taxes gains as ordinary income up to 13.3%) are also excluded. Special regimes are not modeled: depreciation recapture on rentals (25%), collectibles (28%), the Section 121 home-sale exclusion ($250k/$500k), wash-sale rules, and loss harvesting. If your sale price is below your basis, the calculator reports a capital loss and $0 tax — losses first offset other gains, then up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year, with the rest carried forward.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a long-term capital gain?
You must hold the asset for more than one year before selling. Exactly one year or less is short-term and taxed at ordinary income rates. The clock starts the day after purchase and includes the sale date.
What are the 2026 long-term capital gains brackets?
Per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, the 0% rate applies up to $49,450 of taxable income for single filers ($98,900 married filing jointly), the 15% rate up to $545,500 ($613,700 MFJ), and 20% above that. Your gain stacks on top of your other taxable income to determine which bands it falls in.
Can I really pay 0% on capital gains?
Yes. If your taxable income including the gain stays under $49,450 (single) or $98,900 (married filing jointly) in 2026, your long-term gain is federally tax-free. Retirees and low-income years are common opportunities to harvest gains at 0%.
Does this include the 3.8% NIIT?
No. The Net Investment Income Tax adds 3.8% on investment income when your MAGI exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). If you are over those thresholds, add 3.8% of the gain to the estimate shown.
What if I sold at a loss?
No capital gains tax is owed. Capital losses offset capital gains first; any excess deducts up to $3,000 per year against ordinary income, and the remainder carries forward to future years.
Is the sale of my home taxed?
Often not. Section 121 lets you exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 married filing jointly) on a primary residence you owned and lived in for 2 of the last 5 years. This calculator does not apply that exclusion — subtract it from your gain first.
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Results from this calculator are estimates for informational use only — not financial, medical, or professional advice. Read our full disclaimer before acting on any number you see here.