Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Estimate your capital gains tax on investments, stocks, or property. Calculate short-term and long-term capital gains based on US federal tax rates.
Results
How to Use This Tool
- Enter the purchase price and sale price of the asset.
- Enter any sale expenses, such as broker fees or commissions.
- Select the holding period: short-term (1 year or less) or long-term (more than 1 year).
- Select your filing status.
- Enter your annual taxable income excluding this gain, so the gain can be stacked on top correctly.
- Review your capital gain or loss, the applicable tax rate, the estimated tax, and your net profit after tax.
Formula & How It Works
Capital Gain / Loss
Capital Gain = Sale Price − Purchase Price − Sale ExpensesA positive result is a taxable gain; a negative result is a deductible loss.
Long-Term Rate Lookup (2024)
0% up to $47,025 (single) · 15% up to $518,900 · 20% above (thresholds vary by filing status)The rate is determined by where your total income (other income + gain) falls relative to these thresholds, which differ for single, married filing jointly, and head of household.
Long-Term Capital Gains Tax
Tax = Capital Gain × Long-Term RateLong-term gains get a single flat preferential rate based on your total income level.
Short-Term Capital Gains Tax
Tax = Σ (portion of gain within each ordinary bracket × bracket rate)Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income, stacked on top of your existing income, so different portions of the gain can fall into different tax brackets.
Net Profit & ROI
Net Profit = Capital Gain − Estimated Tax; ROI = (Net Profit / Purchase Price) × 100ROI shows your after-tax return relative to your original investment.
Practical Examples & Common Use Cases
Example: Long-term stock sale, single filer
Buy stock for $10,000, sell 18 months later for $15,000 with $50 in fees. Gain = $15,000 − $10,000 − $50 = $4,950. With $75,000 of other income, total income ($79,950) falls in the 15% long-term bracket. Tax = $4,950 × 15% = $743. Net profit = $4,207, an ROI of about 42.1%.
Example: Short-term crypto sale, single filer
Buy crypto for $5,000, sell 4 months later for $8,000 with no fees. Gain = $3,000. With $40,000 of other income, the gain is taxed at the 12% marginal rate (income stays under the $47,150 bracket ceiling). Tax = $3,000 × 12% = $360. Net profit = $2,640, an ROI of about 52.8%.
Example: Long-term gain in the 0% bracket
Buy an investment for $2,000, sell 2 years later for $2,500 with no fees. Gain = $500. With only $30,000 of other income, total income ($30,500) stays under the $47,025 single-filer threshold, so the long-term rate is 0%. Tax = $0, and the full $500 gain is kept, a 25% ROI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short-term capital gains apply to assets held for 1 year or less and are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate (up to 37%). Long-term capital gains apply to assets held for more than 1 year and are taxed at preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%.
Capital losses can offset capital gains dollar-for-dollar. If your losses exceed your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 of the net loss from ordinary income per year and carry forward any remaining losses to future years.
No, this calculator only estimates federal capital gains tax. Many states also tax capital gains as regular income. A few states like Washington have separate capital gains taxes.
Yes, notable exemptions include the primary residence exclusion (up to $250,000 single / $500,000 married for homes owned and lived in for 2+ of the last 5 years), and gains within tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k) and IRA are tax-deferred or tax-free.
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