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Capital Gains Tax Calculator

The federal tax on a gain from selling stock, funds, property or other investments in 2026: 0%, 15% or 20% if held over a year, your ordinary rate if not, plus the 3.8% net investment income tax at higher incomes.

A long-term gain of $20,000 on top of $75,000 of other income owes about $3,000 of federal tax for 2026, 15.0% of the gain.

Federal tax on the gain
$3,000
Effective rate on the gain
15.0%
Of which net investment income tax
$0
You keep
$17,000

2026 long-term capital gains brackets (taxable income, gains included)

RateSingleMarried filing jointlyHead of household
0%Up to $49,450Up to $98,900Up to $66,200
15%$49,450 to $545,500$98,900 to $613,700$66,200 to $579,600
20%Over $545,500Over $613,700Over $579,600

How this calculator works

Long-term gains sit on top of your other taxable income: the part that falls under the 0% threshold is untaxed, the part up to the 15% threshold pays 15%, and the rest 20%. Short-term gains (held a year or less) are taxed like wages at your ordinary brackets.

The net investment income tax adds 3.8% on the smaller of your investment income or the amount your modified AGI exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 joint).

What it assumes

  • Standard deduction; other income is wages. Collectibles (28%) and depreciation on real estate (up to 25%) have their own rates.
  • Selling your home: up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 joint) is usually excluded if you lived there two of the last five years.

Questions people ask

What are the capital gains tax rates for 2026?

0% on long-term gains while taxable income is up to $49,450 (single) or $98,900 (joint), 15% up to $545,500 or $613,700, and 20% above. Short-term gains are taxed at ordinary rates.

How much tax will I pay on $50,000 of long-term gains?

With $40,000 of other income as a single filer, about $3,668: the first $25,550 falls in the 0% bracket.

How long do I have to hold for long-term rates?

More than one year from the day after you bought to the day you sell.

Can losses offset gains?

Yes: capital losses offset gains, and up to $3,000 a year of net losses offsets other income, with the rest carried forward.

Related calculators

  • Income Tax CalculatorYour 2026 federal and state income tax from your income, filing status and children, with your tax bracket and the effective rate you really pay.
  • ROI CalculatorThe return on an investment, in total and as a compound yearly rate (CAGR), from what you put in, what it's worth and how long you held it.
  • Self-Employment Tax CalculatorSelf-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare for the self-employed) and federal income tax on 1099 or business income for 2026, and the quarterly estimated payments to make.

Sources

Updated by the RateHerald team. The maths is tested against worked examples; report a problem.

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