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United States • Tax
Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2026
Calculate short-term and long-term capital gains taxes on investments, stocks, crypto, and real estate sales.
How Capital Gains Tax works in the US (2026 Tax Year):
- Long-Term Gains: Assets held for 1 year or more are taxed at lower preferential tax rates: 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your total income.
- Short-Term Gains: Assets held for less than 1 year are taxed as ordinary income at your standard federal tax bracket (10% to 37%).
- Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT): An additional 3.8% tax applies to the lesser of net investment income or the excess of modified adjusted gross income over $200,000 (Single) or $250,000 (Married).
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Understanding Capital Gains Tax
When you sell an asset (like stocks, crypto, or real estate) for more than you paid for it, the profit is subject to capital gains tax. The tax rate you pay depends on how long you owned the asset before selling it.
How Capital Gains Tax is Computed
Capital gains are classified as short-term or long-term and calculated accordingly:
- Determine Cost Basis: The purchase price plus fees, commissions, and asset improvements.
- Calculate Realized Gain: Subtract cost basis from final sale price.
- Check Holding Period: If owned for 1 year or less, it is short-term. If owned for more than 1 year, it is long-term.
- Apply Short-Term Rates: Short-term gains are taxed at your regular federal income tax rate (10% to 37%).
- Apply Long-Term Rates: Long-term gains are taxed at concessional rates (0%, 15%, or 20%) based on taxable income.
2026 Long-Term Capital Gains Thresholds
| Parameter / Bracket | Rate / Amount |
|---|---|
| 0% Long-Term Gains Rate (Single) | Income up to $48,350 |
| 15% Long-Term Gains Rate (Single) | Income $48,351 to $533,400 |
| 20% Long-Term Gains Rate (Single) | Income over $533,400 |
| Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) | Additional 3.8% if MAGI > $200k |
Frequently Asked Questions about Capital Gains
Tax-loss harvesting is selling losing investments to offset capital gains from winning investments, reducing your net taxable gains.
Yes, but the IRS allows single homeowners to exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples) of gains from their primary residence if they lived in it for 2 of the past 5 years.