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Capital Gains Tax Calculator
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Use our capital gains tax calculator to estimate your potential bill on investments sold for a profit in 2026.
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19 years of experience Expertise Retirement planning investment management investment accountsArielle O’Shea leads the investing and taxes team at NerdWallet. She has covered personal finance and investing for nearly 20 years, and was a senior writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet before becoming an editor. Previously, she was a researcher and reporter for leading personal finance journalist and author Jean Chatzky, a role that included developing financial education programs, interviewing subject matter experts and helping to produce television and radio segments. Arielle has appeared on the "Today" show, NBC News and ABC's "World News Tonight," and has been quoted in national publications including The New York Times, MarketWatch and Bloomberg News. She is based in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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23 years of experience Expertise Taxes Small business Social Security and estate planning Home services RIATina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.
Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets. Published in Editor & Content Strategist + more + moreWhen you sell investments for a profit, you may owe capital gains tax on the money you make. How much you pay is determined by how long you owned the asset before selling it, as well as your taxable income and filing status.
When you sell investments for a profit, you may owe capital gains tax on the money you make. How much you pay is determined by how long you owned the asset before selling it, as well as your taxable income and filing status.How to calculate capital gains tax
How to calculate capital gains taxHow you calculate capital gains depends on the length of time you owned the asset before selling it. Below, we'll break down how short-term and long-term calculations work — as well as how our calculator estimates taxes owed on a single asset sold for a profit.
How you calculate capital gains depends on the length of time you owned the asset before selling it. Below, we'll break down how short-term and long-term calculations work — as well as how our calculator estimates taxes owed on a single asset sold for a profit.How to calculate short-term capital gains tax
How to calculate short-term capital gains tax How to calculate short-term capital gains taxShort-term gains are taxed as ordinary income, which means they are subject to the same tax rates as regular income, such as that from your job. Those tax rates can range from 10% to 37%, depending on how much you make and your filing status.
Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income, which means they are subject to the same tax rates as regular income, such as that from your job. Those tax rates can range from 10% to 37%, depending on how much you make and your filing status.» How to find a financial advisor who can help you invest strategically
» How to find a financial advisor who can help you invest strategically » How to find a financial advisor who can help you invest strategically How our calculator estimates short-term gains tax How our calculator estimates short-term gains taxIn this scenario, let's assume the following:
In this scenario, let's assume the following:Filing status: Single filer.
Filing status: Filing status: Single filer.Short-term gain: $4,500.
Short-term gain: Short-term gain: $4,500.Projected 2026 taxable income: $50,000.
Projected 2026 taxable income: Projected 2026 taxable income: $50,000.Total taxable income, including gain: $54,500.
Total taxable income, including gain: Total taxable income, including gain: $54,500.According to the 2026 tax rates for a single filer, tax on $54,500 of taxable income, of which $4,500 is a short-term gain, would be determined as follows:
According to the 2026 tax rates for a single filer, tax on $54,500 of taxable income, of which $4,500 is a short-term gain, would be determined as follows:Your estimated total tax, including that on your gain, would be $6,702 ($1,240 + $4,560 + $902). Of that sum, the tax directly tied to the capital gain, which fell in both the 12% and 22% brackets, would be $950.
Your estimated total tax, including that on your gain, would be $6,702 $6,702 ($1,240 + $4,560 + $902) ($1,240 + $4,560 + $902) . Of that sum, the tax directly tied to the capital gain, which fell in both the 12% and 22% brackets, would be $950 $950 .The more you earn, the more complex your taxes become. Learn the 10 traps to dodge.
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on NerdWallet Wealth Partners' site. For informational purposes only. NerdWallet Wealth Partners does not provide tax or legal advice.How to calculate long-term capital gains
How to calculate long-term capital gains How to calculate long-term capital gainsLong-term capital gains follow a different tax structure from short-term gains. Holding onto an asset for more than a year means your gains are exposed to more favorable tax rates — you may pay a combination of 0%, 15% and 20% on the gain, rather than ordinary income tax rates, which can reach 37%. Per the IRS, most people pay no more than 15% on capital gains
Long-term capital gains follow a different tax structure from short-term gains. Holding onto an asset for more than a year means your gains are exposed to more favorable tax rates — you may pay a combination of 0%, 15% and 20% on the gain, rather than ordinary income tax rates, which can reach 37%. Per the IRS, most people pay no more than 15% on capital gains Internal Revenue Service. Topic no. 409, Capital Gains and Losses. Accessed Jan 1, 2026. .To assess which portions of your gain are subject to 0%, 15% or 20%, you'll need to review the tax brackets for long-term gains. These differ from ordinary income tax brackets. Your ordinary income plays a role in determining your taxable income for long-term capital gains calculations (it fills up the brackets first), even though that income isn't taxed at the long-term rate.
To assess which portions of your gain are subject to 0%, 15% or 20%, you'll need to review the tax brackets for long-term gains. These differ from ordinary income tax brackets. Your ordinary income plays a role in determining your taxable income for long-term capital gains calculations (it fills up the brackets first), even though that income isn't taxed at the long-term rate.Tax rate
Tax rate
Tax rate Tax rateSingle
Single
SingleMarried filing jointly
Married filing jointly
Married filing jointlyMarried filing separately
Married filing separately
Married filing separatelyHead of household
Head of household
Head of household0%
0%$0 to $49,450
$0 to $49,450$0 to $98,900
$0 to $98,900$0 to $49,450
$0 to $49,450$0 to $66,200
$0 to $66,20015%
15%$49,451 to $545,500
$49,451 to $545,500$98,901 to $613,700
$98,901 to $613,700$49,451 to $306,850
$49,451 to $306,850$66,201 to $579,600
$66,201 to $579,60020%
20%$545,501 or more
$545,501 or more$613,701 or more
$613,701 or more$306,851 or more
$306,851 or more$579,601 or more
$579,601 or moreShort-term capital gains are taxed as ordinary income according to federal income tax brackets.
Short-term capital gains are taxed as ordinary income according to federal income tax brackets. How our calculator estimates long-term gains taxIn this scenario, let's assume the following:
In this scenario, let's assume the following:Filing status: Single filer.
Filing status: Filing status: Single filer.Long-term gain: $15,000.
Long-term gain: Long-term gain: $15,000.Projected 2026 taxable income: $50,000.
Projected 2026 taxable income: Projected 2026 taxable income: $50,000.Total taxable income, including gain: $65,000.
Total taxable income, including gain: Total taxable income, including gain: $65,000.In this case, your ordinary income fills up all of the 0% bracket and a small part of the 15% bracket. That ordinary income will be taxed according to regular tax rates, even though it's used here to determine how much tax you’ll pay on the capital gains portion of your income. Here, your capital gain then falls into the 15% bracket and will be taxed at that rate.
In this case, your ordinary income fills up all of the 0% bracket and a small part of the 15% bracket. That ordinary income will be taxed according to regular tax rates, even though it's used here to determine how much tax you’ll pay on the capital gains portion of your income. Here, your capital gain then falls into the 15% bracket and will be taxed at that rate.When it comes to determining your total tax, you'll need to review both regular ordinary income tax rates as well as the long-term capital gains tax rates. In this example scenario, the estimate for total taxes owed is $8,002 ($1,240 + $4,512 + $2,250), of which $2,250 ($15,000 x 15%) is related to the long-term gain.
When it comes to determining your total tax, you'll need to review both regular ordinary income tax rates as well as the long-term capital gains tax rates. In this example scenario, the estimate for total taxes owed is $8,002 $8,002 ($1,240 + $4,512 + $2,250) ($1,240 + $4,512 + $2,250) , of which $2,250 $2,250 ($15,000 x 15%) ($15,000 x 15%) is related to the long-term gain.Ordinary income
Ordinary income Ordinary income10%: $0 to $12,400 = $1,240.
10%: 10%: $0 to $12,400 = $1,240.12%: $12,401 to $50,000 = $4,512.
12%: 12%: $12,401 to $50,000 = $4,512.Capital gain
Capital gain Capital gain15% of $15,000 = $2,250.
15% 15% of $15,000 = $2,250. Frequently asked questionsOur calculator is meant to provide a general estimate. It uses taxable income rather than gross income as a starting point for determining taxes owed. If you enter your gross salary or wages into the "taxable income" field, this may cause your taxes owed to look higher. For estimation purposes, be sure to account for any deductions first.
Our calculator is meant to provide a general estimate. It uses taxable income rather than gross income as a starting point for determining taxes owed. If you enter your gross salary or wages into the "taxable income" field, this may cause your taxes owed to look higher. For estimation purposes, be sure to account for any deductions first.For example, let's say you're a single filer who will make $70,000 this year and contribute $5,000 to your 401(k). If you're taking the standard deduction and have no other deductions, your taxable income for purposes of using this calculator would be $50,000 ($70,000 - $15,000 - $5,000).
For example, let's say you're a single filer who will make $70,000 this year and contribute $5,000 to your 401(k). If you're taking the standard deduction and have no other deductions, your taxable income for purposes of using this calculator would be $50,000 ($70,000 - $15,000 - $5,000).Capital gains tax calculations can be complicated. While it's good to have an understanding of how these numbers are figured, good tax software can do the math behind the scenes for you.
Capital gains tax calculations can be complicated. While it's good to have an understanding of how these numbers are figured, good tax software can do the math behind the scenes for you.If you don't want to go the DIY route, finding a qualified tax preparer will help you avoid crunching the numbers yourself. Talking with a good financial advisor can help you find ways to lower your capital gains tax by investing more strategically.
If you don't want to go the DIY route, finding a qualified tax preparer will help you avoid crunching the numbers yourself. Talking with a good financial advisor can help you find ways to lower your capital gains tax by investing more strategically.Our calculator is meant to provide a general estimate. It uses taxable income rather than gross income as a starting point for determining taxes owed. If you enter your gross salary or wages into the "taxable income" field, this may cause your taxes owed to look higher. For estimation purposes, be sure to account for any deductions first.
For example, let's say you're a single filer who will make $70,000 this year and contribute $5,000 to your 401(k). If you're taking the standard deduction and have no other deductions, your taxable income for purposes of using this calculator would be $50,000 ($70,000 - $15,000 - $5,000).
Capital gains tax calculations can be complicated. While it's good to have an understanding of how these numbers are figured, good tax software can do the math behind the scenes for you.
If you don't want to go the DIY route, finding a qualified tax preparer will help you avoid crunching the numbers yourself. Talking with a
good financial advisor
can help you find ways to lower your capital gains tax by investing more strategically.
Key Terms
Key Terms Key TermsLong-term capital gain: This refers to assets that were owned for more than a year before their sale.
Long-term capital gain: Long-term capital gain: This refers to assets that were owned for more than a year before their sale.Short-term capital gain: This refers to assets that were sold within a year or less of their original purchase.
Short-term capital gain: Short-term capital gain: This refers to assets that were sold within a year or less of their original purchase.Taxable income: This refers to your gross income after you've subtracted your tax-deductible 401(k) and IRA contributions, your standard or itemized deductions, plus any other deductions you're entitled to.
Taxable income: Taxable income: This refers to your gross income after you've subtracted your tax-deductible 401(k) and IRA contributions, your standard or itemized deductions, plus any other deductions you're entitled to.Need to back up? Learn more about capital gains tax, plus see the 2025 and 2026 short- and long-term rates
Need to back up? Need to back up? Learn more about capital gains tax, plus see the 2025 and 2026 short- and long-term rates