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Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Enter your filing status, your other taxable income and your net gains. The calculator splits long-term gains into the 0%, 15% and 20% zones, taxes short-term gains as ordinary income, and adds the net investment income tax when it applies.

Your numbers

Result

Estimate for information only, not professional advice. Last reviewed .

Tax year 2026. Tax figures last updated October 29, 2026. Sources.

How we calculate it

Short-term gains are added to your ordinary income and taxed at the regular brackets. Long-term gains are stacked on top of your ordinary income and taxed at 0% up to $49,450 of total taxable income (single, 2026), 15% up to $545,500, and 20% above that. The limits are different for each filing status.

The 3.8% net investment income tax applies to the smaller of your net investment income and the amount your income is over $200,000 (single), $250,000 (married filing jointly).

Assumptions and limits

  • Federal tax for 2026 only. State income tax on gains is extra.
  • Enter net gains after offsetting losses. Up to $3,000 of net capital losses can offset other income, which is not calculated here.
  • Other taxable income is your income after the standard or itemized deduction. The income used for the investment income tax is approximated as that plus the gains.
  • Collectibles, unrecaptured real estate depreciation and qualified small business stock have special rates that are not included.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between short-term and long-term gains?

A gain is long-term if you held the asset for more than one year before selling. Long-term gains get lower rates (0%, 15% or 20%). Short-term gains are taxed like your wages.

Can I pay 0% on capital gains?

Yes, if your total taxable income including the gains stays under the 0% limit for your filing status. Part of a gain can fall in the 0% zone and the rest in the 15% zone.

What is the net investment income tax?

An extra 3.8% on investment income for people whose income is above a threshold set by law: $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. The thresholds are not adjusted for inflation.

Do I owe tax if I reinvest the gains?

Yes. A gain is taxable in the year you sell, whether or not you spend the money. Gains inside a 401(k) or IRA are not taxed until you withdraw.

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Worked example (a fixed example using the starting numbers, it does not change as you type)

Inputs: Filing status = Single; Other taxable income, after deductions ($) = 60000; Net long-term capital gains: held over 1 year ($) = 25000; Net short-term capital gains: held 1 year or less ($) = 0.

  • Total tax on the gains $3,750.00
  • Tax on long-term gains $3,750.00
  • Tax on short-term gains $0.00
  • Net investment income tax (3.8%) $0.00
  • Effective rate on the gains 15%
  • Long-term gains taxed at 0% $0.00
  • Long-term gains taxed at 15% $25,000.00
  • Long-term gains taxed at 20% $0.00
  • Gains you keep $21,250.00

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Last reviewed: . Formulas and assumptions are described on our methodology page. For information only; not professional advice.