Capital Gains Tax Calculator (2026 Federal)

Selling shares, a fund, crypto or property for more than you paid creates a capital gain. Held more than a year, it is taxed at 0%, 15% or 20% depending on your total taxable income; held a year or less, it is taxed like wages. This calculator stacks the gain on your other income using the 2026 IRS thresholds and adds the 3.8% net investment income tax when it applies.

How to use this tool

1. Enter your cost basis (price paid plus fees) and the sale price after selling costs.
2. Choose how long you owned the asset.
3. Pick your filing status and enter your other income for the year.
4. Leave deductions blank to use the 2026 standard deduction, or enter your itemized total.
5. Tick the home box if it was your main home (two-of-five-years rule).

Formula

Tax on the sale = tax(other income + gain − deductions) − tax(other income − deductions) + NIIT

Long-term gains sit on top of ordinary taxable income. For 2026 the 0% rate covers taxable income up to $49,450 (single or separate), $98,900 (joint) or $66,200 (head of household); 15% applies up to $545,500, $613,700, $306,850 (separate) and $579,600 respectively; 20% above that.

NIIT = 3.8% × the smaller of the gain and modified AGI above $200,000 (single or head of household), $250,000 (joint) or $125,000 (separate).

Example

A single filer earning $60,000 sells shares bought for $20,000 for $30,000 after two years. Taxable income without the sale is $60,000 − $16,100 = $43,900. The $10,000 gain first fills the rest of the 0% band ($49,450 − $43,900 = $5,550 at 0%); the remaining $4,450 is taxed at 15%: $667.50, an effective 6.68% on the gain. Sold within a year, the same gain would cost $1,550 at ordinary rates.