Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Estimate 2026 federal tax on a capital gain, with the 0%, 15% and 20% long-term rates and the 3.8% NIIT.
About the Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Gains on assets held more than a year are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20% depending on your total taxable income. Short-term gains are taxed like wages. High earners also pay the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax on investment income above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (joint).
The formula
Long-term gains stack on top of ordinary income; each slice is taxed at the rate for its band
2026 long-term capital gains rates (taxable income)
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | up to $49,450 | up to $98,900 | up to $66,200 |
| 15% | up to $545,500 | up to $613,700 | up to $579,600 |
| 20% | above | above | above |
Worked example
Example: Federal tax on the gain = $3,300
- Inputs: Filing status: Single; Other taxable income (after deductions): $66,000; Capital gain: $22,000; Held for: More than 1 year.
- Formula: Long-term gains stack on top of ordinary income; each slice is taxed at the rate for its band
- Result: Federal tax on the gain = $3,300
- Capital gains tax: $3,300
Things to keep in mind
- Collectibles (28%) and unrecaptured real-estate depreciation (25%) are taxed differently.
- Selling your main home: up to $250,000 ($500,000 joint) of gain may be excluded.
Questions people ask
Can losses offset gains?
Yes. Net losses beyond gains offset up to $3,000 of other income a year; the rest carries forward.
Do states tax gains?
Most tax them as ordinary income.