| Asset | Gain/Loss | Type | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enter asset details to see breakdown | |||
Assets held for 1 year or less are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate (10% - 37% depending on your tax bracket).
Assets held for more than 1 year qualify for preferential tax rates: 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income.
| Rate | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | Up to $48,350 | Up to $96,700 | Up to $64,750 |
| 15% | $48,351 - $533,400 | $96,701 - $600,050 | $64,751 - $566,700 |
| 20% | Over $533,400 | Over $600,050 | Over $566,700 |
My Capital Gains Tax Calculator helps you estimate the federal taxes you'll owe when selling investments, real estate, or other assets. Here's how to use it:
Select your filing status and enter your annual taxable income BEFORE capital gains. This determines your starting tax bracket.
Enter each asset you sold with its cost basis (what you paid), sale price (what you received), and how long you held it.
See your total gains/losses, applicable tax rates, and whether the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) applies to you.
Use my capital gains calculator in these common situations:
Before selling shares, calculate your potential tax bill. Consider whether waiting to reach long-term status saves money.
Crypto-to-crypto trades are taxable events. Use this to estimate taxes before converting Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other coins.
Investment property sales trigger capital gains. Primary residence may qualify for exclusion ($250K single/$500K married).
Estimate your total capital gains tax before December 31 to make strategic decisions about selling or holding.
The holding period is the critical factor in determining your tax rate:
Your cost basis is what you originally paid for the asset, plus:
An additional 3.8% tax applies to investment income (including capital gains) when your Modified Adjusted Gross Income exceeds:
$200,000 threshold
$250,000 threshold
$125,000 threshold
If your losses exceed your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 per year ($1,500 if married filing separately) against ordinary income. Excess losses carry forward to future years.
Selling one day before the 1-year mark means paying ordinary income rates (up to 37%) instead of long-term rates (max 20%). Wait for long-term treatment when possible.
Forgetting to include fees, commissions, and improvements in your cost basis means overpaying taxes. Keep detailed records of all acquisition costs.
Selling at a loss and repurchasing the same or "substantially identical" security within 30 days disallows the loss. Plan your trades carefully.
You can sell losing positions to offset gains. This "tax-loss harvesting" strategy can significantly reduce your tax bill each year.
Sell investments at a loss to offset gains. You can deduct $3,000 in net losses against ordinary income annually, with unlimited carryforward.
Waiting until you've held an asset for more than one year can drop your rate from 37% to as low as 0% depending on your income level.
Gifting stocks to family members in lower tax brackets can result in lower overall family taxes. Consider annual gift exclusion limits.
If your income varies year to year, sell assets in lower-income years to potentially qualify for the 0% long-term rate.
Compare self-employment income to traditional employment.
Estimate quarterly tax payments for your capital gains.
Calculate the value and tax implications of stock options.
Short-term capital gains apply to assets held for one year or less and are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate (10% to 37% in 2025).
Long-term capital gains apply to assets held for more than one year and receive preferential tax rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income. The holding period starts the day after you acquire the asset and ends on the day you sell it.
The NIIT is an additional 3.8% tax on investment income, including capital gains, for high earners. It applies when your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds $200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for married filing jointly, or $125,000 for married filing separately.
The tax applies to the lesser of your net investment income OR the amount by which your MAGI exceeds the threshold.
Your cost basis is generally what you paid for the asset, including:
For inherited assets, the basis is typically "stepped up" to the fair market value at the date of death.
Yes, the IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, so selling crypto for cash, trading crypto for another cryptocurrency, or using crypto to purchase goods/services are all taxable events subject to capital gains tax.
The same short-term and long-term rules apply based on how long you held the crypto before disposing of it.
Yes, capital losses can offset capital gains dollar-for-dollar. First, short-term losses offset short-term gains, and long-term losses offset long-term gains. Then, any remaining losses can offset gains of the other type.
If your total losses exceed your total gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 ($1,500 if married filing separately) against ordinary income. Any excess loss carries forward to future tax years indefinitely.
For 2025, you may pay 0% on long-term capital gains if your taxable income (including the gains) falls below these thresholds:
This can be a powerful strategy for retirees or those in low-income years to realize gains tax-free.
You may exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly) when selling your primary residence if:
Any gain exceeding the exclusion amount is taxable as a capital gain.
The wash sale rule prevents you from claiming a tax loss if you purchase a "substantially identical" security within 30 days before or after selling at a loss. This includes:
The disallowed loss is added to the cost basis of the replacement shares, so you'll eventually recognize it when you sell those shares.
Have complex capital gains questions? Need help with tax planning for your investments? Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation.