Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Enter your sale, your cost basis and your income to estimate your federal capital gains tax for 2026.
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Estimate federal capital gains tax for 2026.
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How capital gains tax works (2026)
A capital gain is the profit when you sell an asset such as stocks or property for more than your cost basis. How it is taxed depends on how long you held it. Short-term gains (held one year or less) are taxed as ordinary income at your regular federal bracket. Long-term gains (held more than one year) get lower rates of 0%, 15% or 20%, based on your total taxable income. For 2026 the IRS thresholds are: single 0% up to $49,450 and 15% up to $545,500; married filing jointly 0% up to $98,900 and 15% up to $613,700; head of household 0% up to $66,200 and 15% up to $579,600; 20% above that.
Example: a $20,000 gain, single filer
| Other taxable income | Long-term tax on a $20,000 gain | Rate | Short-term tax | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $82 | 0.4% | $2,400 | 12.0% |
| $49,000 | $2,932 | 14.7% | $4,260 | 21.3% |
| $60,000 | $3,000 | 15.0% | $4,400 | 22.0% |
| $150,000 | $3,000 | 15.0% | $4,800 | 24.0% |
| $600,000 | $4,000 | 20.0% | $7,000 | 35.0% |
- Your gain stacks on top of your other income, so part of it can fall in a lower rate and part in a higher one. The calculator handles this.
- Net investment income tax: an extra 3.8% can apply to investment income when your modified adjusted gross income is above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
- Losses can offset gains and, within limits, other income.
- Real estate and special assets have their own rules, such as the home sale exclusion; this calculator does not model them.
Thresholds are from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32. This is an estimate for planning and not tax advice. See also the federal income tax calculator and the investment calculator.
How to use the capital gains tax calculator
- Enter the sale price, your cost basis and any selling costs, and choose short-term or long-term.
- Choose your filing status and enter your other taxable income for the year.
- Read the gain, the estimated federal capital gains tax and the effective rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the long-term capital gains tax rate in 2026?
0%, 15% or 20%, depending on your taxable income and filing status. For a single filer, 0% applies up to $49,450 of taxable income, 15% up to $545,500 and 20% above.
How is a short-term capital gain taxed?
As ordinary income at your regular federal tax bracket, which is usually higher than the long-term rate.
How much tax on a $20,000 long-term gain?
For a single filer with $60,000 of other taxable income it is about $3,000 federal, a 15% rate on that gain. The same gain taxed as short-term would be about $4,400.
What is the net investment income tax?
An additional 3.8% tax on investment income for taxpayers whose income is above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
Does this include state taxes?
No. It estimates federal tax only. Many states tax capital gains as well.
Related tools: Federal income tax calculator · Tax bracket calculator · Investment calculator