Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Long-Term & Short-Term · 2026
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Wages and other income already taxed. Used to determine your capital gains bracket.
Enter the sale price, cost basis, and your income to calculate capital gains tax.
Capital Gains Tax
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federal only · 2026
0% Rate
Gain CalculationAmount
Sale Price$0
Cost Basis$0
Capital Gain$0
Tax BreakdownAmount
Hold PeriodLong-term
Federal CG Rate0%
Federal CG Tax$0
NIIT (3.8%)$0
Total Federal Tax$0
Net ProceedsAmount
After-Tax Proceeds$0
Effective Tax Rate0%
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2026 Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Rates
Long-term capital gains rates (assets held over 1 year) are 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your total taxable income. Thresholds are indexed for inflation per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 and apply to tax returns filed in 2027.
| Filing Status | 0% Rate | 15% Rate | 20% Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $49,450 | $49,451 – $533,400 | Over $533,400 |
| Married Filing Jointly | Up to $98,900 | $98,901 – $600,050 | Over $600,050 |
| Head of Household | Up to $66,750 | $66,751 – $566,700 | Over $566,700 |
| Married Filing Separately | Up to $49,450 | $49,451 – $300,000 | Over $300,000 |
Short-term capital gains (assets held 1 year or less) are taxed at ordinary income rates: 10% to 37% depending on your bracket. There is no 0% rate for short-term gains.
NIIT (Net Investment Income Tax): An additional 3.8% applies if your Modified AGI exceeds $200,000 (single / HOH), $250,000 (MFJ), or $125,000 (MFS). It applies on top of regular capital gains tax.
Special rates: Collectibles (coins, art, antiques) are taxed at a maximum 28% long-term rate. Section 1250 real estate unrecaptured depreciation is taxed at a maximum 25% rate.
Federal tax only. Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income — state rates vary from 0% to 13.3% (California). Consult a tax professional for your complete situation including state taxes and cost basis adjustments.
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Capital Gains Tax Questions
What are the capital gains tax rates for 2026?+
For long-term capital gains (assets held over 1 year), the 2026 federal rates are 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on total taxable income. Single filers pay 0% up to $49,450 in taxable income, 15% from $49,451 to $533,400, and 20% above that. For MFJ, the 0% threshold is $98,900. Short-term gains (held 1 year or less) are taxed at ordinary income rates of 10% to 37%.
What is the 0% capital gains rate threshold for 2026?+
For 2026, you pay 0% federal tax on long-term capital gains if your total taxable income (wages + gains, after deductions) stays within: $49,450 for Single · $98,900 for MFJ · $66,750 for Head of Household · $49,450 for MFS. This creates a tax-planning opportunity — if your income dips below these thresholds in a given year, you can sell appreciated assets tax-free.
What is the NIIT and when does it apply?+
The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) is an additional 3.8% federal tax on investment income for higher earners. It applies when your Modified AGI exceeds $200,000 (Single / HOH), $250,000 (MFJ), or $125,000 (MFS). Investment income includes capital gains, dividends, interest, rental income, and annuities. It is calculated on the lesser of your net investment income or the amount your MAGI exceeds the threshold. The OBBBA did not change the NIIT thresholds for 2026.
How long must I hold an asset to qualify for long-term rates?+
You must hold an asset for more than one year (at least 366 days) before selling to qualify for long-term capital gains rates. If you sell on or before the one-year anniversary, the gain is short-term and taxed as ordinary income. The holding period starts the day after purchase and ends on the day of sale. For inherited assets, all gains are automatically treated as long-term regardless of when the heir sells.
How is real estate capital gain calculated?+
For investment real estate, the capital gain is sale price minus adjusted cost basis. The adjusted basis includes the original purchase price plus improvements minus accumulated depreciation. If you claimed depreciation deductions while renting the property, the IRS taxes that portion as "unrecaptured Section 1250 gain" at a maximum rate of 25%. Primary home sales may exclude up to $250,000 in gains (single) or $500,000 (MFJ) if you lived there 2 of the past 5 years.
What is tax-loss harvesting?+
Tax-loss harvesting is the practice of selling investments at a loss to offset capital gains. Capital losses reduce capital gains dollar-for-dollar. If losses exceed gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 ($1,500 MFS) of net losses against ordinary income per year. Unused losses carry forward indefinitely to future years. The 30-day wash-sale rule prohibits buying a "substantially identical" security within 30 days before or after the sale at a loss.
Are capital gains taxed differently in different states?+
Yes. Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income at regular state income tax rates. States with no income tax (TX, FL, NV, WA, WY, SD, AK, NH, TN) have no state capital gains tax. California is the highest at 13.3% (ordinary income rate). Some states have preferential rates: Massachusetts taxes long-term gains at 5%. Washington taxes capital gains above $262,000 at 7%. This calculator shows federal tax only — always factor in your state.
What is the capital gains rate on collectibles in 2026?+
Long-term capital gains on collectibles (coins, gold and silver bullion, artwork, antiques, stamps, fine wine) are taxed at a maximum federal rate of 28% — higher than the 20% maximum for stocks and real estate. If your ordinary income tax rate is below 28%, you pay your ordinary rate. If it's above 28%, the 28% cap applies. Short-term gains on collectibles are taxed at ordinary income rates with no special cap.
Do I pay capital gains tax on cryptocurrency?+
Yes. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property. Selling, trading, or using crypto to buy goods is a taxable event. Short-term gains (held 1 year or less) are ordinary income. Long-term gains (held over 1 year) qualify for 0%, 15%, or 20% rates. As of early 2026, the wash-sale rule does not formally apply to crypto — watch for IRS updates. Always keep records of purchase dates and prices. Even small transactions like buying coffee with Bitcoin must be reported.
Can I avoid capital gains tax by reinvesting proceeds?+
Not automatically for most assets. Simply reinvesting proceeds from a stock sale does not defer the capital gain — the gain is taxable in the year of sale. Exceptions: 1031 like-kind exchanges defer real estate gains by reinvesting in similar property · Opportunity Zone investments can defer and reduce gains · Qualified Small Business Stock (Section 1202) may exclude up to 100% of gains for eligible stock held 5+ years. Retirement accounts (401k, IRA) grow without annual capital gains tax.