Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Calculate your federal capital gains tax on stocks, crypto, and real estate. Compare short-term vs long-term tax rates, NIIT surcharges, and net profit.
Asset Sale Details
Tax Liability Spotlight
⚖️ Decision Verdict: Favorable Long-Term 15% Rate
Because you held the asset for over 1 year, this $30,000 gain is taxed at the preferential 15% rate rather than your 22% ordinary income bracket, saving you $2,100 in federal taxes.
IRS Tax Bracket Architecture (2024 Thresholds)
About this tool
How to use it
- Enter your original purchase price (Cost Basis) including transaction fees or commissions.
- Enter your final selling price (Gross Disposal Proceeds).
- Select your holding period: 'Long-Term' (held longer than 1 year) or 'Short-Term' (1 year or less).
- Choose your IRS filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household) and enter other taxable income.
- Click 'Calculate Capital Gains Tax' to see your estimated tax bill, net proceeds, and tax dollars saved by holding.
Why it matters
Capital gains tax differs dramatically between short-term trades and long-term investments. Assets held for one year or less are treated as short-term capital gains and taxed at ordinary income rates (up to 37%). Holding an asset for just one day over a year qualifies for preferential long-term rates (0%, 15%, or 20%), yielding massive tax savings for equity investors, crypto holders, and property owners.
When to use it
Use this tool prior to liquidating stock options, selling cryptocurrency, rebalancing brokerage portfolios, or timing year-end asset sales for tax loss harvesting.
Good to know
Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT): Under the Affordable Care Act, high earners with Modified Adjusted Gross Income over $200,000 (Single) or $250,000 (Married) pay an additional 3.8% surtax on investment income.
Common questions
What is the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains?
Short-term capital gains apply to assets held for one year or less and are taxed at ordinary income tax rates (10% to 37%). Long-term capital gains apply to assets held for more than one year and receive lower preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%).
Who qualifies for the 0% long-term capital gains bracket?
In 2024, single filers with total taxable income up to $47,025 and married couples filing jointly up to $94,050 pay 0% federal tax on qualifying long-term capital gains.
How does cryptocurrency taxation work?
The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property. Selling, trading one coin for another, or spending crypto triggers a capital gains taxable event subject to the same short-term vs long-term rules as stocks.
What is the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)?
NIIT is a 3.8% surtax that applies to the lesser of net investment income or the amount of MAGI exceeding statutory thresholds ($200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for married couples).
Can capital losses offset capital gains?
Yes. Capital losses can offset capital gains dollar-for-dollar. If total losses exceed total gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 of net losses against ordinary income per tax year, carrying forward the remainder.