01
Short-term gains
A capital asset held for one year or less is generally treated as a short-term gain when sold for a profit. Short-term gains are generally taxed using ordinary income tax rates.
2026 CAPITAL GAINS TAX CALCULATOR
Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Estimate the federal tax on profits from stocks, investments and other taxable assets. Enter your purchase price, sale price, holding period and income to see an estimated capital gains tax and after-tax profit.
2026
Federal tax year
Short + Long
Holding periods supported
Instant
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INVESTMENT GAIN
Estimated gain
$24,500
+18.4%
Holding period
Long-term
Tax treatment
Capital gain
CALCULATE YOUR CAPITAL GAIN
Estimate Your 2026 Capital Gains Tax
Enter your investment details to estimate the federal tax associated with a taxable capital gain. The calculator distinguishes between short-term and long-term gains.
INVESTMENT DETAILS
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Tax Year 2026
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This is an educational estimate of federal capital gains tax. It does not account for every deduction, credit, investment-specific rule, state tax, NIIT or special tax situation.
Your capital gains estimate will appear here
Enter your purchase price, sale price and other details to see your estimated gain and federal capital gains tax.
ESTIMATED FEDERAL TAX
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Estimated capital gains tax
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Estimated after-tax gain
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Estimated tax breakdown
Federal
CAPITAL GAINS BASICS
How Capital Gains Tax Works
A capital gain generally occurs when you sell an investment or other capital asset for more than your adjusted basis. Your gain is generally based on the difference between what you receive from the sale and your adjusted basis in the asset.
For many investments, the length of time you hold an asset is important. Assets held for more than one year can generally qualify for long-term capital gains treatment, while assets held for one year or less are generally treated as short-term gains.
Short-term capital gains are generally taxed at ordinary federal income tax rates. Long-term capital gains may qualify for the preferential federal capital gains rates of 0%, 15% or 20%, depending on taxable income and filing status.
Your actual tax calculation can become more complicated when you have multiple investments, capital losses, dividends, real estate transactions, depreciation adjustments or other tax considerations. The calculator is designed to provide a useful starting estimate rather than replace tax-return preparation.
INVESTMENT TAX PLANNING
Knowing your potential tax can help you understand the real return on an investment.
YOUR REAL INVESTMENT RETURN
A Profit Is Not Always the Same as an After-Tax Gain
Seeing an investment rise in value can be exciting, but the amount you ultimately keep can be different from the headline profit shown in your brokerage account.
When a taxable investment is sold for a profit, the gain may create a federal tax liability. Your holding period, taxable income and filing status can all affect the rate that applies.
The cost basis is also important. The purchase price is often the starting point, but adjustments may be needed depending on the asset and transaction. Certain selling expenses can also affect the amount of gain recognized.
Looking at both the investment gain and estimated tax can give you a more realistic view of the potential after-tax result.
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
2026 Long-Term Capital Gains Rates
Long-term capital gains can receive preferential federal tax treatment. The rate depends on your taxable income and filing status.
| Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | Up to $49,450 | Up to $98,900 | Up to $66,200 |
| 15% | $49,451 – $545,500 | $98,901 – $613,700 | $66,201 – $579,600 |
| 20% | Over $545,500 | Over $613,700 | Over $579,600 |
These thresholds are for long-term capital gains and are separate from the ordinary federal income tax brackets. Your overall tax situation can affect the final amount you owe.
TWO DIFFERENT TAX TREATMENTS
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Capital Gains
The holding period can make a significant difference to how a taxable investment gain is treated for federal income tax purposes.
02
Long-term gains
A capital asset held for more than one year can generally qualify for long-term capital gains treatment. The federal rates can be lower than ordinary income rates for qualifying gains.
03
Capital losses
Investment losses can sometimes offset capital gains. Tax rules also allow certain taxpayers to use a limited amount of net capital loss against ordinary income, subject to applicable rules.
WHAT CAN CHANGE YOUR RESULT
Factors That Can Affect Capital Gains Tax
The tax on an investment sale depends on more than the difference between the purchase and sale prices.
Holding period
Whether an asset was held for more than one year can affect whether the gain receives long-term or short-term tax treatment.
Taxable income
Your taxable income helps determine which federal capital gains rate may apply to qualifying long-term gains.
Cost basis
Your adjusted basis can be different from the original purchase price depending on the asset and transaction history.
Capital losses
Losses from other investments can affect your net capital gain and may change the amount subject to tax.
Filing status
Federal capital gains thresholds differ by filing status, so two taxpayers with similar investment gains may have different results.
Additional taxes
Some higher-income taxpayers may be subject to the Net Investment Income Tax, which is not included in this basic estimate.
RELATED TAX RESOURCES
Explore More Tax Guides
Learn more about investment taxes and the wider U.S. tax system before making financial decisions.
01
Capital Gains Tax
Understand how federal capital gains tax works for investments and other taxable assets.
Read Capital Gains Guide → 02Tax Brackets
See how federal ordinary income tax brackets work across different filing statuses.
Explore Tax Brackets → 03Tax Deductions
Learn how deductions can reduce taxable income and affect your overall tax calculation.
Explore Tax Deductions → 04Tax Credits
Understand how qualifying tax credits can reduce federal tax owed.
Explore Tax Credits → 05Income Tax
Get a clearer understanding of federal income tax and taxable income.
Explore Income Tax → 06Tax Calculator
Estimate your broader 2026 federal income tax based on income and filing status.
Use Tax Calculator →
MONEY & INVESTING
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CAPITAL GAINS TAX FAQ
Common questions about investment gains and federal tax.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Capital Gains Tax Questions, Answered
Capital gains tax is federal tax that can apply when you sell a capital asset, such as an investment, for more than your adjusted basis. The tax treatment depends on factors including the holding period and your taxable income.
Short-term gains generally apply to assets held for one year or less and are generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates. Long-term gains generally apply to assets held for more than one year and may qualify for preferential capital gains rates.
The primary federal long-term capital gains rates for 2026 are 0%, 15% and 20%. The applicable threshold depends on your taxable income and filing status.
A basic capital gain is generally the difference between the amount realized from the sale and your adjusted basis in the asset. Selling expenses and certain adjustments can affect the final calculation.
Generally, an increase in an investment's value does not create a realized capital gain by itself. Capital gains tax generally becomes relevant when you sell or otherwise dispose of the asset in a taxable transaction.
Capital losses can generally offset capital gains subject to the applicable tax rules. If losses exceed gains, qualifying taxpayers may also be able to deduct a limited amount against ordinary income and carry unused losses forward.
No. This calculator focuses on an estimated federal capital gains tax. State tax rules vary considerably and are not included in this basic estimate.
No. The basic calculator does not calculate the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax that may apply to certain higher-income taxpayers with net investment income.
MAKE YOUR INVESTMENT NUMBERS CLEARER
Explore Capital Gains Guide →
Understand your potential tax before you sell.
Use your capital gains estimate as a planning starting point, then explore GrowthSmartly's tax resources to better understand investment taxes, deductions, credits and federal tax rules.