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Capital gains tax calculator 2026

Selling stock, crypto or property? Enter the gain, how long you held it and your other income to see the federal tax and the rate that applies.

Tax year 2026 Rules checked: November 2026 How we calculate

$
Held for
$
Federal tax on the gain$2,167.50long-term rates
Effective rate on the gain
10.84%
Gain after federal tax
$17,832.50
Capital gain
$20,000.00
Taxed at 0%
$5,550
Taxed at 15%
$14,450
Taxed at 20%
$0
Income tax on the gain
$2,167.50
Total federal tax on the gain
$2,167.50
  • 2026 long-term rates: 0% up to $49,450 of taxable income, 15% up to $545,500, 20% above (single).
  • Gains sit on top of your other income: the 0% and 15% bands are used up by wages first. Short-term gains are taxed at your ordinary bracket.
  • Selling your main home: up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 married) is excluded if you owned and lived in it for two of the last five years. State tax is not included.

This is an estimate based on published rates, not tax or financial advice. Your payslip or assessment may differ. We are an independent site, not affiliated with any government agency.

2026 long-term capital gains brackets

RateSingleMarried filing jointlyHead of household
0%up to $49,450up to $98,900up to $66,200
15%$49,450 – $545,500$98,900 – $613,700$66,200 – $579,600
20%over $545,500over $613,700over $579,600

Thresholds are taxable income including the gain. Your wages fill the brackets first; the gain sits on top. That is why a modest earner can pay 0% on part of a gain and 15% on the rest.

Short-term vs long-term

The same $20,000 gain held less than a year

Held for a year or less, the gain is ordinary income and is taxed at 12% and 22% – $1,582.50 more than if it had been held for over a year.

Federal tax on the gain$3,750.00taxed as ordinary income
Effective rate on the gain
18.75%
Gain after federal tax
$16,250.00
Capital gain
$20,000.00
Income tax on the gain
$3,750.00
Total federal tax on the gain
$3,750.00

Losses and the $3,000 rule

Capital losses offset gains first. If losses exceed gains, up to $3,000 a year ($1,500 married filing separately) can reduce other income, and the rest carries forward to future years. Enter your net gain after losses.

Questions people ask

What is the capital gains tax rate for 2026?

Long-term gains are taxed at 0% up to $49,450 of taxable income for single filers ($98,900 joint, $66,200 head of household), 15% up to $545,500 ($613,700 joint, $579,600 head of household) and 20% above. Short-term gains are taxed at your ordinary rate.

How much tax will I pay on a $20,000 long-term gain?

A single filer with $60,000 of wages pays $2,167.50 – the first $5,550 of the gain still fits in the 0% band and the remaining $14,450 is taxed at 15%.

What is the net investment income tax?

An extra 3.8% on investment income, including capital gains, when your modified AGI is above $200,000 ($250,000 joint). These thresholds are not indexed for inflation.

Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my house?

Up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married couples) on your main home is excluded if you owned and lived in it for at least two of the five years before the sale.

Official sources

Rules checked: November 2026.

This is an estimate based on published rates, not tax or financial advice. Your payslip or assessment may differ. We are an independent site, not affiliated with any government agency. Read the full disclaimer.