Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Calculate your capital gains tax on stocks, crypto, and other investments. See the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains rates.
Investment Sale Information
Tax Calculation Results
Tax Breakdown
2024 Capital Gains Tax Rates
Long-Term Capital Gains
| Rate | Single | Married | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | Up to $47,025 | Up to $94,050 | Up to $63,000 |
| 15% | $47,026 - $518,900 | $94,051 - $583,750 | $63,001 - $551,350 |
| 20% | Over $518,900 | Over $583,750 | Over $551,350 |
Short-Term Capital Gains
Taxed as ordinary income at your federal income tax rate (10% - 37%).
Short-Term vs Long-Term Capital Gains
- Short-Term: Assets held 1 year or less. Taxed at ordinary income rates (10%-37%).
- Long-Term: Assets held more than 1 year. Taxed at preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%).
Holding investments for over a year can significantly reduce your tax burden.
Strategies to Reduce Capital Gains Tax
- Hold for 1+ years: Qualify for lower long-term rates
- Tax-loss harvesting: Offset gains with losses
- Contribute to retirement accounts: 401(k), IRA defer taxes
- Donate appreciated assets: Avoid capital gains and get deduction
- Time sales strategically: Spread gains across tax years
Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)
An additional 3.8% tax may apply to investment income if your modified adjusted gross income exceeds:
- Single: $200,000
- Married Filing Jointly: $250,000
- Head of Household: $200,000
Frequently Asked Questions
Cost basis is typically what you paid for the asset including commissions and fees. For inherited property, it's usually the fair market value at death. For gifted property, it depends on the circumstances.
Yes, capital losses can offset capital gains. If losses exceed gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 against ordinary income per year. Excess losses carry forward to future years.
Yes, cryptocurrency is treated as property for tax purposes. Selling, trading, or using crypto to buy goods/services triggers capital gains tax. Mining and staking rewards are taxed as ordinary income.
About the Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Capital gains tax applies when you sell an investment for more than you paid. The rate depends on how long you held it (short vs long-term) and your income bracket. This page covers the brackets, the harvesting strategies, and the rules for primary residence sales.
The Formula
Capital gain = Sale price − Cost basis − Selling costs. Long-term rate (held >1 year): 0%/15%/20% based on income. Short-term (held ≤1 year): ordinary income rates.
Worked Example
Bought stock for $5,000, sold for $15,000 after 18 months. Gain: $10,000. Single filer at $90,000 income: 15% LTCG = $1,500. Same gain held only 11 months: taxed at 22% marginal rate = $2,200. Holding period matters.
Long-term vs short-term
Held more than 1 year: long-term, taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20%. Held 1 year or less: short-term, taxed at ordinary income rates (10-37%). The difference is massive — wait the year if you can.
Tax-loss harvesting
Realised losses offset realised gains. Excess losses offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year; remainder carries forward. Watch out for the wash-sale rule — can't repurchase same security within 30 days.
Primary residence exclusion
Sell your primary home: first $250,000 of gain (single) or $500,000 (married) is tax-free, if you owned and lived in it 2 of the last 5 years. This is one of the most valuable tax breaks in the code.
Common Mistakes
- Selling before the 1-year mark to take a 'gain' — the higher short-term rate often eats the move.
- Forgetting cost basis adjustments for reinvested dividends. They're already taxed; basis should rise.
- Wash-sale violations. Buying the same security within 30 days of a loss disallows the loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the 0% LTCG bracket?
Long-term gains up to $47,025 (single) or $94,050 (married) of total taxable income are taxed at 0% in 2024.
Are crypto sales capital gains?
Yes — same rules. Held under a year: short-term ordinary rates. Over a year: long-term rates.
This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a licensed professional before making significant financial decisions.