Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Estimate federal tax on a stock, crypto, home or other asset sale using 2026 long-term rates (0%, 15%, 20%), short-term ordinary rates and the 3.8% net investment income tax. Example: a $15,000 long-term gain on top of $60,000 income, single, owes about $1,418 federal tax.

How to use the Capital Gains Tax Calculator

1. Enter what you paid and what you sold the asset for, plus any fees.
2. Choose long-term (held more than one year) or short-term.
3. Add your other annual income and filing status, because the gain is stacked on top of it.
4. Press Calculate to see tax by rate, net investment income tax and your after-tax gain.

Formula and method

Gain = sale price – purchase price – fees. Long-term gains are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20% depending on where your taxable income plus the gain lands in the thresholds. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income. High earners also owe a 3.8% net investment income tax on the lesser of the gain or income above $200,000 ($250,000 joint).

Worked example: $15,000 long-term gain, $60,000 income, single

2026 long-term capital gains tax rates

These are taxable income thresholds, after deductions.

Short-term vs long-term

Selling after holding an asset for one year or less makes the gain short-term, taxed at your ordinary rate (10% to 37%). Holding for more than a year usually lowers the rate to 0%, 15% or 20%. The same $15,000 gain in the example above would cost about $2,650 as short-term, compared with $1,418 as long-term.

Frequently asked questions

How is capital gains tax calculated?

Subtract your cost basis and selling costs from the sale price. Long-term gains are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20%; short-term gains at ordinary income rates.

What are the 2026 long-term rates?

0% up to $49,450 of taxable income (single), 15% up to $545,500, and 20% above, with higher thresholds for joint filers.

What is the net investment income tax?

A 3.8% tax on investment income for single filers with income above $200,000 and joint filers above $250,000.

How long must I hold to get long-term rates?

More than one year, counted from the day after you buy to the day you sell.

Can losses reduce my tax?

Yes. Capital losses offset gains, and up to $3,000 of extra loss can reduce ordinary income each year, with the rest carried forward.

Does the home sale exclusion apply?

Many homeowners can exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 joint) of gain on a main home. This calculator does not apply it, so use it for other assets or for gain above the exclusion.

Is crypto taxed the same way?

Yes. Crypto sold or exchanged is generally property, so gains follow the same short-term and long-term rules.

Sources

• IRS Topic 409: Capital gains and losses
• IRS: Net investment income tax

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