Money & Finance
Capital Gains Tax Calculator
See the full 2026 tax on your sale: short vs long-term, the day-366 timing math, NIIT, and a rough state estimate.
How it works
Behind the numbers
Your gain is not taxed in isolation. It sits on top of your other taxable income for the year, and the long-term 0%, 15%, and 20% thresholds apply to that combined total. That is why the same $15,000 gain can be taxed at 0% for one person and 15% for another. Enter your other taxable income (after deductions) and the calculator places your gain in the right slices.
The holding period decides which rate schedule applies. Sell within a year and the gain is short-term, taxed as ordinary income at 10% to 37%. Hold more than a year, meaning day 366 or later, and it becomes long-term at 0%, 15%, or 20%. The timing note shows what waiting for day 366 would save at the same sale price.
Then the surcharges. Above $200,000 of income ($250,000 for joint filers) a 3.8% net investment income tax applies on top of the capital gains rates. Collectibles are capped at 28% instead of getting the 20% rate. Most states tax gains as ordinary income, so the page shows a rough state figure. And if the total bill tops $1,000, the IRS generally expects quarterly estimated payments, which the calculator flags.
FAQ
Questions, answered
How are capital gains taxed in 2026?
Held more than a year, gains are long-term: 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on total taxable income. For a single filer in 2026, 0% applies up to $49,450 of taxable income and 15% up to $545,500. Sold within a year, the gain is short-term and taxed as ordinary income at 10% to 37%. The calculator above runs both paths from your dates and income.
When does a gain become long-term?
The sale must land on day 366 after purchase or later. Day 365 is still short-term. That single day can move a gain from a 22% to 37% ordinary rate down to 0% to 20%, which is why the timing note shows the dollar savings of waiting.
What is the net investment income tax?
An extra 3.8% on investment income, including capital gains, when modified adjusted gross income tops $200,000 single or $250,000 joint. It stacks on top of the capital gains rates, so a high earner can face an effective 23.8% on long-term gains.
Do I owe state tax on capital gains too?
Usually yes. Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income at their regular rates, and nine states have no income tax at all. The state line on this page is a rough estimate from 2026 rates, not a filing number. Check your state's rules before you file.
Can I reduce capital gains tax legally?
The standard approaches: hold past the one-year mark, harvest losses to offset gains, use the section 121 exclusion on a primary home ($250,000 single, $500,000 joint), and keep investments in tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s. The calculator models the timing and the home exclusion directly.