2026 IRS Rates · Rev. Proc. 2025-32

Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2026

Calculate capital gains tax on stocks, real estate, crypto, and more. Includes short-term vs long-term rates, NIIT, home sale exclusion, and all 50 states.

All 50 StatesShort & Long-TermNIIT CalculatorHome ExclusionCrypto & Real EstateFree Forever

Investment Details

Asset Type
Purchase (Cost Basis)
$

Total cost including commissions

Sale (Proceeds)
$

Total proceeds after commissions

✓ Long-Term — 2 years
Qualifies for preferential 0%/15%/20% rates
Your Tax Situation
▼
▼
$

Your salary, wages, and other ordinary income this year. Determines your LTCG bracket.

Your LTCG rate bracket: 15%

Estimates based on 2026 IRS rates. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

Capital Gains Tax Owed
$750
On a $5,000 gain · Effective rate: 15.0%
Net proceeds after tax: $14,250
Long-Term Rate: 15.0%
✓ You saved $350 vs short-term treatment
Sale Price Breakdown
$10,000
$4,250
Cost Basis: $10,000
Tax Owed: $750
Net Profit: $4,250
Full Tax Breakdown
Sale Price$15,000
− Cost Basis−$10,000
= Raw Gain / Loss$5,000
Capital Gains Tax $5,000 at 15.0%Long-Term
$750
Total Tax Owed$750
Net Proceeds$14,250
Short-Term vs Long-Term Comparison
Short-Term
Long-Term
Tax Rate
22.0%
15.0%
Tax Owed
$1,100
$750
✓ You already have the lower long-term rate — saving $350
Tax Savings

Ways to Reduce Your Tax

📉
Tax-Loss Harvesting
Do you have other investments at a loss? Selling them can offset your $5,000 gain dollar-for-dollar. Respect the 30-day wash sale rule.

2026 Capital Gains Tax Rates

Rate determined by TOTAL taxable income (ordinary income + capital gains combined)

RateIncome RangeNotes
0%$0 – $49,450Tax-free gains
15%$49,451 – $545,500Most taxpayers
20%$545,501+High earners

+3.8% NIIT applies if total income exceeds $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (married) · Effective max: 23.8%

— CAPITAL GAINS GUIDE —

How Capital Gains Tax Works in 2026

Short-Term vs Long-Term Capital Gains

The most important factor in capital gains taxation is your holding period. Assets held for more than 365 days qualify for long-term capital gains rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% — far lower than ordinary income rates of up to 37%. Assets held 365 days or fewer are short-term gains, taxed as ordinary income. One extra day of holding can save thousands of dollars in taxes on large gains.

The 2026 Long-Term Capital Gains Brackets

Long-term capital gains rates are determined by your total taxable income including the gain. For 2026: the 0% rate applies if total income is under $49,450 (single) or $98,900 (married). The 15% rate applies up to $545,500 (single) or $613,700 (married). The 20% rate applies above those thresholds. These thresholds are higher than 2025 due to inflation adjustments under Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)

High earners face an additional 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax on capital gains above certain income thresholds: $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married filing jointly. This brings the maximum federal long-term capital gains rate to 23.8% (20% + 3.8%). When combined with high state taxes like California's 13.3%, top earners can face effective capital gains rates exceeding 37%.

The Home Sale Exclusion

Homeowners who have lived in their primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years can exclude up to $250,000 of capital gains from federal tax ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly). This exclusion can be used once every two years and is one of the most valuable tax breaks in the US tax code. Home improvements add to your cost basis, reducing the taxable gain.

Tax-Loss Harvesting

Capital losses from investments sold at a loss directly offset capital gains. If you have $20,000 in gains and $15,000 in losses, you only pay tax on the $5,000 net gain. Net losses can offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year, with excess losses carrying forward indefinitely. Strategic tax-loss harvesting — selling losing positions before year end — is a powerful way to reduce your capital gains tax bill.

— How It Works —

How Capital Gains Tax Is Calculated

2026 IRS rules — holding period is everything.

STEP 01
Calculate Your Gain
Subtract your cost basis (what you paid, including commissions and fees) from your sale proceeds. This is your capital gain — or loss if negative.
STEP 02
Determine Holding Period
Count the days from purchase to sale. More than 365 days = long-term. 365 days or fewer = short-term. One day can change your entire tax rate.
STEP 03
Short vs Long-Term Rate
Short-term gains are taxed like wages at 10%–37%. Long-term gains get preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% — much lower than ordinary income.
STEP 04
Apply Your LTCG Bracket
Your long-term rate depends on TOTAL taxable income (wages + gains combined). 0% up to $49,450 (single), 15% up to $545,500, then 20% above.
STEP 05
Net Investment Income Tax
High earners pay an extra 3.8% NIIT on investment income above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married). Effective max federal rate: 23.8%.
STEP 06
Apply State Tax
Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income. California tops out at 13.3%. Nine states have no state income tax at all.
STEP 07
Capital Loss Offsets
Losses from other investments reduce your taxable gains dollar-for-dollar. Net losses up to $3,000 can offset ordinary income. Extras carry forward.
STEP 08
Special Asset Rules
Collectibles (coins, art) max at 28%. Real estate depreciation is recaptured at 25%. Primary home sales exclude $250,000 (single) or $500,000 (married).
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 2026 long-term capital gains tax rates?+
For 2026, long-term capital gains rates are 0% for single filers with taxable income up to $49,450, 15% up to $545,500, and 20% above that. Married filing jointly: 0% up to $98,900, 15% up to $613,700, 20% above. An additional 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax applies if total income exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married).
How long do I need to hold a stock to pay long-term capital gains tax?+
You must hold an asset for MORE than 365 days (one year) to qualify for long-term capital gains rates. Selling on exactly day 365 is still short-term. Day 366 or later qualifies as long-term. The difference can be enormous — short-term gains are taxed at up to 37%, while long-term gains are taxed at a maximum of 20%.
How is crypto taxed in 2026?+
Cryptocurrency is taxed as property, not currency. Selling crypto held more than one year qualifies for long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20%). Selling within one year is taxed as ordinary income at short-term rates up to 37%. Crypto-to-crypto trades (like swapping Bitcoin for Ethereum) are also taxable events. Starting in 2026, exchanges must report all transactions on Form 1099-DA.
Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my home?+
If you lived in your home for at least 2 of the last 5 years, you can exclude up to $250,000 of gain from federal tax ($500,000 if married filing jointly). Any gain above those amounts is taxed at long-term capital gains rates if you owned the home over one year. Gains from rental properties do not qualify for this exclusion.
What is the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)?+
The NIIT is a 3.8% surtax on investment income (including capital gains) for high earners. It applies to the lesser of your net investment income or the amount your income exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). This means the maximum federal long-term capital gains rate in 2026 is effectively 23.8% (20% + 3.8% NIIT) for very high earners.
Can I deduct capital losses?+
Yes. Capital losses first offset capital gains of the same type. Net losses can then offset the other type. If total capital losses exceed capital gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 against ordinary income per year. Any remaining loss carries forward to future tax years indefinitely.
What states have no capital gains tax in 2026?+
Eight states have no state income tax and therefore no state capital gains tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. Washington has a 7% capital gains tax only on gains over $250,000. California has the highest capital gains tax rate at 13.3%.

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