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Tax Calculators · United States

Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Estimate the tax on selling stocks or other investments in 2026. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income; long-term gains are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20%.

Calculated in your browser only · inputs are not saved2026 tax year · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 thresholds
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Your taxable income after the standard or itemized deduction, not counting this sale. See the Federal Income Tax Calculator.

How do you want to enter the sale?
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Used for the 3.8% NIIT. Leave 0 to estimate it from taxable income plus the standard deduction.

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Interest, dividends, rental income already in your income.

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Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income. Enter your state rate, or 0 for none.

Enter your values and press Calculate capital gains tax

Estimated tax on this sale

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    How it works

    How capital gains are taxed in the U.S.

    How long you held the asset decides the rate. Gains on assets held one year or less are taxed like wages. Gains on assets held longer get lower rates that depend on your total taxable income.

    1. Enter your income and filing status

      Use your taxable income without this sale. Your other income decides where the gain starts in the 0%, 15% and 20% brackets.

    2. Enter the sale

      Type the gain directly, or enter purchase price, sale price, shares and holding period. Add any capital loss carryover.

    3. Compare short-term and long-term

      The result shows tax by rate, the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax, state tax and what you would save by holding the investment for more than a year.

    2026 long-term capital gains brackets (taxable income)

    Single: 0% up to $49,450 · 15% up to $545,500 · 20% above.

    Married filing jointly: 0% up to $98,900 · 15% up to $613,700 · 20% above.

    Head of household: 0% up to $66,200 · 15% up to $579,600 · 20% above.

    Married filing separately: 0% up to $49,450 · 15% up to $306,850 · 20% above.

    How the calculator works

    Net gain = short-term + long-term gains − capital losses (netted by type, then against each other)Short-term tax = tax(other income + short-term gain) − tax(other income), using 2026 ordinary bracketsLong-term tax = slices of the gain taxed at 0%, 15% and 20%, stacked on top of other income plus short-term gainNIIT = 3.8% × lesser of (net investment income, MAGI − $200,000 single / $250,000 joint / $125,000 separate)

    If your losses exceed your gains, up to $3,000 ($1,500 if married filing separately) of the net loss can reduce ordinary income this year, and the rest carries forward. In that case the result shows a tax saving. The carryover keeps its short-term or long-term character.

    Not included: collectibles (28% maximum rate), Section 1250 real estate gains (25%), home sale exclusion, wash-sale adjustments, qualified small business stock, state-specific rules such as the Washington capital gains excise tax, and the alternative minimum tax. Qualified dividends use the same long-term brackets but are not part of this calculator.

    FAQ

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

    Short-term gains come from assets held one year or less and are taxed at your ordinary income rate, from 10% to 37%. Long-term gains come from assets held more than one year and are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20%.

    Can my long-term capital gains tax be 0%?

    Yes. In 2026, if your taxable income including the gain is at or below $49,450 (single) or $98,900 (married filing jointly), long-term gains are taxed at 0%. Only the part of the gain that sits within those thresholds is taxed at 0%.

    What is the Net Investment Income Tax?

    It is a 3.8% federal tax on investment income for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 (single or head of household), $250,000 (married filing jointly) or $125,000 (married filing separately). It applies to the lesser of your investment income or the amount over the threshold.

    How do capital losses reduce my tax?

    Losses first offset gains of the same type, then the other type. If losses are larger than gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 against ordinary income each year and carry the rest forward.

    Does waiting one year always make sense?

    Often the tax rate is lower after one year, but the investment can also change in value while you wait. This calculator only compares the tax; it does not predict prices, and it is not advice to buy or sell.

    Estimates for education and planning only. This is not tax, legal or investment advice; check IRS.gov or a tax professional for your situation. Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, IRS Topic 409 and Topic 559.

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