Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Estimate the federal tax on selling a stock or ETF for 2026 or 2025, short-term or long-term, including the net investment income tax and an optional state rate.
Estimated tax
$0
- Capital gain
- $0
- Federal capital gains tax
- $0
- Net investment income tax (3.8%)
- $0
- State tax
- $0
- Profit after tax
- $0
2026 long-term capital gains tax brackets
| Filing status | 0% rate | 15% rate | 20% rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $49,450 | $49,451 to $545,500 | Over $545,500 |
| Married filing jointly | Up to $98,900 | $98,901 to $613,700 | Over $613,700 |
| Married filing separately | Up to $49,450 | $49,451 to $306,850 | Over $306,850 |
| Head of household | Up to $66,200 | $66,201 to $579,600 | Over $579,600 |
Thresholds are taxable income, including the gain. Source: IRS inflation adjustments for tax year 2026.
How capital gains are taxed
Long-term gains don't have their own separate income scale. They stack on top of your other taxable income, and the part that lands in each band is taxed at that band's rate. That's why a big sale can be split across the 0% and 15% rates, and why the calculator asks for your other income.
Short-term gains are simply added to your ordinary income, so they're taxed at your top marginal rate or rates. The difference is often large: for a middle-income single filer, a $15,000 gain can cost about $3,300 short-term and $2,250 long-term.
Planning a sale around the one-year mark? Check what the position is worth first with the stock return calculators.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains? +
Shares held for one year or less produce short-term gains, taxed at your ordinary income rate (10% to 37%). Shares held for more than one year produce long-term gains, taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income. Holding a winner a few extra days past the one-year mark can cut the tax significantly.
What are the 2026 long-term capital gains tax brackets? +
For 2026, single filers pay 0% on long-term gains up to $49,450 of taxable income, 15% up to $545,500, and 20% above that. For married couples filing jointly, the 0% band runs to $98,900 and the 15% band to $613,700.
What is the 3.8% net investment income tax? +
The NIIT is an extra 3.8% on investment income, including capital gains, for higher earners: modified AGI above $200,000 for single and head of household filers, $250,000 for married filing jointly, and $125,000 for married filing separately. Those thresholds aren't adjusted for inflation.
What if I sold at a loss? +
Capital losses first offset capital gains. If you have more losses than gains, up to $3,000 a year ($1,500 if married filing separately) can offset ordinary income, and the rest carries forward to future years. Watch the wash-sale rule: buying the same stock back within 30 days disallows the loss.
Is this exact? +
It's an estimate for one sale. It uses your taxable income as a stand-in for modified AGI when checking the NIIT, treats state tax as a flat rate, and doesn't cover special cases like collectibles, qualified small business stock, or AMT. Talk to a tax professional before filing.
More free tools
Get AI-powered market insights
Zentrix MCP connects Claude, GPT, and Gemini to live market data and analysis through one connection.