Short-term vs. long-term capital gains — what's the difference?

Short-term: sold within 12 months — taxed at your ordinary income rate (10–37%). Long-term: held more than 12 months — taxed at preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%). On a $10,000 gain, a 37% taxpayer pays $3,700 short-term vs. $2,000 long-term. Holding just one extra day past 12 months can save thousands.

Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2026

Q: What are the 2026 capital gains tax rates?

Long-term (held over 1 year): 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income. Single filers: 0% up to $49,450 · 15% from $49,451–$545,500 · 20% above $545,500. Short-term (1 year or less): taxed at your regular income rate (10%–37%). Married filing jointly thresholds are roughly double the single thresholds.

Q: Do I owe state taxes on capital gains?

Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income. Zero-tax states: Florida, Texas, Nevada, Alaska, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Tennessee, New Hampshire. Highest rates: California 13.3%, New Jersey 10.75%, New York 10.9%, Oregon 9.9%. Most others range 3–7%.

Q: What is the NIIT (Net Investment Income Tax)?

An extra 3.8% surtax on investment income for high earners. It applies when your modified AGI exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). This calculator warns you when your income may trigger NIIT.

Q: What is the wash sale rule?

If you sell a stock at a loss and repurchase the same or substantially identical stock within 30 days before or after the sale, the IRS disallows the loss deduction. The disallowed loss is added to your cost basis in the new shares instead.

Q: How do I report capital gains on my tax return?

Your broker sends a Form 1099-B each year listing every sale. You report these on Schedule D of Form 1040. TurboTax and H&R Block can import your 1099-B directly. Annual returns and taxes are due April 15.

Q: What is tax-loss harvesting?

Selling losing positions to realize a loss that offsets your gains, reducing your tax bill. Example: $8,000 profit on Apple, $3,000 loss on another stock → you only pay tax on $5,000 net gain. Up to $3,000 in excess losses can also offset ordinary income each year, with the remainder carrying forward indefinitely.

Q: Is this calculator accurate for my tax return?

This calculator uses official IRS 2026 brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and is accurate for straightforward stock sales. It does not account for AMT, depreciation recapture, Qualified Opportunity Zone investments, or other edge cases. Always consult a qualified CPA or tax professional before filing.

What is a Capital Gain?

When you sell stock for more than you paid, the profit is a "capital gain" — and the IRS taxes it. Hold for over 1 year → lower long-term rates (0–20%). Hold 1 year or less → taxed at your regular income rate (10–37%). This calculator shows exactly which bracket you land in for any tax year.

Your tax situation

Tax Year The year you sold the stock

Filing Status How you file your return

Annual Income (before this sale)

Your wages/salary before adding the stock profit — this determines your tax bracket Please enter a valid income (0 or more)

State Tax (added on top of federal)

Your stock sale

Purchase Price (per share)

Cost per share when you bought Please enter a valid purchase price

Sale Price (per share)

Price per share when you sold Please enter a valid sale price

Number of Shares How many shares did you sell? Please enter at least 1 share

Broker Fees (total)

Commissions reduce your taxable gain Please enter a valid fee amount (0 or more).

Purchase Date When did you buy? Please enter a valid purchase date

Sale Date When did you sell? Sale date must be after purchase date

CapitalCalc

Capital Gain Report

Your Results

Long-term gain (>1 year) Held 2yr 2mo

Total Gain / Loss

$5,000

Profit from sale

Effective Tax Rate

15.0%

Of your total gain

Total Tax Owed

$750

Federal tax only

Federal — State — NIIT (3.8%) —

State tax not included — unlock Pro to add your state

You Keep (After Tax)

$4,250

Federal only

Federal Rate Applied

15.0%

Long-term capital gains

💡

Smart Tax Insights

In Plain English

Your result will appear here.

Full Calculation Breakdown

Total sale proceeds—

Original cost basis—

Broker fees deducted—

Capital gain (profit)—

Gain type—

Federal tax rate applied—

Federal tax owed—

State tax—

NIIT (3.8% surtax)—

Net profit after tax—

⚠ You may also owe Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) — 3.8% Your income exceeds the NIIT threshold.

⏳ What if you wait to sell?

SHORT-TERM → LONG-TERM

Sell now

Short-term tax owed

—

Wait until long-term

Long-term tax instead

—

💰

You could save by holding past the 1-year mark

—

Assumes same gain amount and income when you sell. Actual savings may vary.

🗺️

You may be underestimating your tax

This estimate is federal only. Most states add 3–13% on top — that could mean hundreds more owed.

Don't forget state taxes

Depending on where you live, you may owe an extra 0–13.3% on top of federal. California can add thousands. Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income.

Want the complete picture?

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What to do next

📅

Pay estimated taxes if you owe more than $1,000 You may need quarterly payments to avoid an IRS underpayment penalty. Due dates: April 15, June 15, Sept 15, Jan 15.

📄

Report on Schedule D when you file Your broker sends Form 1099-B with all your sales. Report on Schedule D of Form 1040 — due April 15.

💡

Consider tax-loss harvesting If other positions are underwater, selling them can offset this gain and reduce your total tax bill for the year.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only and is not tax advice. Actual tax liability may vary based on your full financial situation. Please consult a qualified tax professional.

Last updated: 2026 IRS brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)

Ready to file? TurboTax imports 1099-B automatically.

Handles Schedule D and capital gains in minutes — no manual entry.

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Tax settings (applies to all stocks)

Tax Year

Filing Status

Annual Income (before stocks)

State Tax Added on top of federal

Your stock sales

Ticker / Name	Buy Price	Sell Price	Shares	Buy Date	Sell Date	Broker Fee

🔒 Pro FeatureUnlock Multi-Stock to calculate gains across all your trades

Results

Enter every position you sold this year — gains and losses. The calculator nets them using IRS rules and shows your exact tax saving. Your brokerage's trade history or 1099-B has everything you need.

Each row is one completed sale

Use the price per share you paid and received, the number of shares, and the exact buy and sell dates. For positions you haven't sold yet, use today's price as the sell price to model the potential saving.

Wash sale checkbox

Tick this only if you sold at a loss and repurchased the same stock within 30 days before or after the sale. The IRS disallows that loss — it won't offset your gains this year. Do not add the repurchase as a separate row.

Tax settings

Tax Year

Filing Status

Annual Income (before stocks)

State Tax Added on top of federal

Your positions

Ticker / Name	Buy Price	Current / Sell Price	Shares	Buy Date	Sell Date	Wash Sale?

🔒 Pro FeatureUnlock Tax-Loss Harvesting to find your exact savings

Harvesting Analysis

IRS-accurate 2026 brackets

No data stored — 100% private

Instant calculation — no login

Federal calculation always free

Frequently Asked Questions

Capital gains tax, explained in plain language.

Long-term (held over 1 year): 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income. Single filers: 0% up to $49,450 · 15% from $49,451–$545,500 · 20% above $545,500. Short-term (1 year or less): taxed at your regular income rate (10%–37%). Married filing jointly thresholds are roughly double the single thresholds.

Short-term: sold within 12 months — taxed at your ordinary income rate (10–37%). Long-term: held more than 12 months — taxed at preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%). Example: On a $10,000 gain, a 37% taxpayer pays $3,700 short-term vs. $2,000 long-term. Holding just one extra day past 12 months can save thousands.

Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income. Zero-tax states: Florida, Texas, Nevada, Alaska, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Tennessee, New Hampshire. Highest rates: California 13.3%, New Jersey 10.75%, New York 10.9%, Oregon 9.9%. Most others range 3–7%. Upgrade to Pro to automatically calculate your state tax.

An extra 3.8% surtax on investment income for high earners. It applies when your modified AGI exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). This calculator warns you when your income may trigger NIIT — but always confirm with a CPA since the calculation can be complex.

If you sell a stock at a loss and repurchase the same or substantially identical stock within 30 days before or after the sale, the IRS disallows the loss deduction. The disallowed loss is added to your cost basis in the new shares instead. Our Pro harvesting tool flags wash sales automatically so you don't accidentally lose your deduction.

Your broker sends a Form 1099-B each year listing every sale. You report these on Schedule D of Form 1040. TurboTax and H&R Block can import your 1099-B directly so you don't need to enter each trade manually. Annual returns and taxes are due April 15.

Selling losing positions to realize a loss that offsets your gains, reducing your tax bill. Example: $8,000 profit on Apple, $3,000 loss on another stock → you only pay tax on $5,000 net gain. Up to $3,000 in excess losses can also offset ordinary income each year, with the remainder carrying forward indefinitely.

This calculator uses official IRS 2026 brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and is accurate for straightforward stock sales. It does not account for AMT, depreciation recapture, Qualified Opportunity Zone investments, or other edge cases. Always consult a qualified CPA or tax professional before filing. This tool is for estimation purposes only.

Calculate your capital gains.

What is a Capital Gain?

In Plain English

Full Calculation Breakdown

⏳ What if you wait to sell?

What to do next

2026 Long-Term Rates (Single)

Short-Term Rates (Single)

Key Tax Tips

NIIT Thresholds (2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Calculate Capital Gains Tax

How to Calculate Long-Term Capital Gains Tax

Short-Term vs Long-Term Capital Gains: What's the Difference?

How Much Capital Gains Tax Will I Owe?

Quick reference: 2026 long-term rates

Do States Tax Capital Gains Separately?

States with no capital gains tax

States with highest rates

Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate Sales

Key concepts

8 Ways to Legally Reduce Capital Gains Tax

Top strategies

How Crypto Is Taxed in 2026

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