Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Calculate capital gains tax on stocks, crypto, real estate, and other investments. Compare short-term vs long-term rates.

Asset Type

Buy Price (per unit)

Sell Price (per unit)

Quantity

Fees / Commissions

Holding Period

Buying at $70,000.00 and selling at $100,000.00 × 1, your capital gain is $30,000.00. After 15% tax, your after-tax profit is $25,500.00.

Profit Tax

Cost Basis$70,000.00

Proceeds$100,000.00

Capital Gain$30,000.00

Tax Rate15%

Estimated Tax$4,500.00

After-Tax Profit$25,500.00

How to Use This Calculator

Follow these steps for an accurate estimate. Results are based on 2026 tax rates and are for informational purposes only.

Select your asset type — Stocks, Cryptocurrency, Real Estate, or Other. Capital gains rules apply to all of these equally under current tax law.

Enter your buy price (cost basis per unit) and sell price. If you paid transaction fees when buying, you can add those to your cost basis to reduce your taxable gain.

Enter the quantity sold and any selling fees. Selling commissions or brokerage fees paid at the time of sale reduce your net proceeds, which lowers your capital gain.

Select your holding period. Assets held more than 12 months qualify for long-term rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%. Assets held 12 months or less are taxed at your ordinary income rate, which can reach 37%. This single decision is often the biggest factor in your tax bill.

Click "Calculate" and compare the two scenarios. If you are within weeks of the one-year threshold, the tax savings from waiting may be thousands of dollars. The calculator shows you the exact difference.

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Important: These are estimates based on federal tax law. Your actual tax may differ based on additional deductions, tax credits, AMT, state rules, and other factors. Always verify with a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.

Real-World Examples

Example: Selling Apple Stock After 3 Years

You bought 100 shares of AAPL at $150/share in 2023 and sell at $220/share in 2026.

Cost Basis (100 × $150)$15,000

Proceeds (100 × $220)$22,000

Capital Gain$7,000

Tax Rate (Long-term)15%

Capital Gains Tax$1,050

After-Tax Profit$5,950

Takeaway: Holding over 1 year saved up to $1,540 vs short-term rates.

How Capital Gains Tax Works

Capital gains tax applies to the profit when you sell an asset. Your gain equals sale proceeds minus cost basis, which includes the purchase price and any fees. If you held the asset 1 year or less, short-term rates apply. If you held over 1 year, long-term rates apply. Long-term rates are usually lower.

Short-Term vs Long-Term Rates

Short-term gains are taxed at ordinary income rates (up to 37%). Long-term gains receive preferential treatment: 0% up to $47,025, 15% up to $518,900, and 20% above. High earners may also pay 3.8% NIIT.

Strategies to Minimize Capital Gains Tax

Hold investments over 1 year for lower rates. Use tax-loss harvesting to offset gains. Donate appreciated assets to charity. Time sales to stay in lower tax brackets.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I bought stock at $10,000 and sold at $25,000, how much capital gains tax do I owe?

Your total gain is $15,000. How much tax you owe depends on how long you held the stock. If you held it for more than one year, long-term rates apply and the tax is $2,250 at the standard 15% rate, leaving you with $12,750. If you held it for one year or less, short-term rates apply and the tax could reach $3,600 at a 24% rate, leaving $11,400.

What is the long-term capital gains tax rate for 2026?

Long-term capital gains apply when you hold an asset for more than one year. For 2026, the rates are 0% for taxable income up to $47,025, 15% for income up to $518,900, and 20% above that. Most individual investors fall in the 15% bracket.

Are crypto gains taxed the same as stock gains?

Yes. The IRS classifies cryptocurrency as property, which means the same short-term and long-term capital gains rules apply to crypto as to stocks. If you hold Bitcoin for more than a year before selling, long-term rates apply. If you sell within a year, your gains are taxed at your ordinary income rate.

Can I offset capital gains with capital losses?

Yes. If you sell an investment at a loss, that loss offsets your capital gains dollar for dollar. If your losses exceed your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 against ordinary income per year. Any remaining losses carry forward to future tax years indefinitely.

How much tax do I pay if I sell my house for a $200,000 profit?

If the home is your primary residence and you have lived there for at least two of the past five years, up to $250,000 of your gain is excluded from tax for single filers, and up to $500,000 for married couples filing jointly. Any profit above those thresholds is subject to long-term capital gains tax at the standard rates.

What is the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains?

Short-term capital gains apply when you sell an asset you have held for one year or less, and they are taxed at your ordinary income rate, which can reach 37%. Long-term capital gains apply when you hold for more than one year and are taxed at the preferential rates of 0, 15, or 20%. Holding investments longer can significantly reduce your tax burden on the same dollar of gain.