Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Calculate federal tax on short-term or long-term capital gains from stocks, real estate, or other assets using 2026 rates.
Capital Gains Tax Rates Explained
The US tax code rewards long-term investing with preferential capital gains rates. Assets held over one year qualify for 0%, 15%, or 20% rates — far below the ordinary income rates of up to 37%. Holding an investment just one day past the one-year mark can dramatically reduce your tax bill.
Tax-Loss Harvesting
If you have investments with unrealized losses, selling them before year-end can offset capital gains dollar-for-dollar. You can immediately buy similar (not identical) investments to maintain your portfolio exposure. Unused losses offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income and carry forward indefinitely.
The 0% Capital Gains Bracket
Single filers with total income (including gains) below approximately $47,025 in 2026 pay 0% federal tax on long-term capital gains. This creates planning opportunities for lower-income years — consider realizing gains during sabbaticals, early retirement, or years with large deductions.