Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Capital gains tax calculator for 2026: estimate federal tax on a stock, home or asset sale, short or long term.
Editorial review: Farrow (pseudonym; identity and professional credentials are not disclosed). This page is for educational purposes, not professional advice.
Updated
Your inputs
Results update as you type. Nothing you enter leaves your device.
Results
- Capital gain
- $15,000
- Effective rate on gain
- 15%
- Net after tax
- $12,750
Example with the starting values
These results use the calculator's initial inputs. Change the values above to calculate your own estimate.
Inputs
- Purchase price (cost basis)
- 20000 $
- Sale price
- 35000 $
- Holding period
- More than 1 year
- Other taxable income
- 70000 $
- Filing status
- Single
Results
- Estimated capital gains tax
- $2,250
- Capital gain
- $15,000
- Effective rate on gain
- 15%
- Net after tax
- $12,750
How does the Capital Gains Tax Calculator work?
Gain is the sale price minus your cost basis. Assets held a year or less are short-term and taxed as ordinary income. Longer holdings use the 0%, 15% or 20% rates.
Long-term rates depend on where your total taxable income lands, so the calculator stacks the gain on top of your other taxable income. State tax and the 3.8% investment tax are not included.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the long-term capital gains rate?
It is 0%, 15% or 20% depending on taxable income and filing status. Most people pay 15%.
When is a gain long term?
When you held the asset for more than one year before selling. Otherwise it is short term.
Does this include the net investment income tax?
No. High earners can owe an extra 3.8% on investment income, which is not included here.
Are home sales taxed the same way?
Many homeowners can exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 married) on a primary home, which this tool does not apply.