Capital Tax Gain Calculator (2026 Capital Gains Tax)
Work out the federal and state tax on short-term and long-term gains from stocks, crypto and other assets with 2026 brackets, the 3.8% net investment income tax, loss netting and the $3,000 loss deduction.
Capital tax gain calculator
2026 capital gains tax rates
Long-term gains (assets held more than one year) are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20% depending on taxable income, with the gain stacked on top of your other income:
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | Up to $49,450 | Up to $98,900 | Up to $66,200 |
| 15% | $49,451 – $545,500 | $98,901 – $613,700 | $66,201 – $579,600 |
| 20% | Over $545,500 | Over $613,700 | Over $579,600 |
Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income at 10% to 37%. High earners also pay the 3.8% net investment income tax on the smaller of their investment income or the amount their modified AGI exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (joint); those thresholds aren't indexed for inflation.
Calculating capital gains tax
- Gain = sale price − cost basis (what you paid, plus fees and reinvested dividends).
- Net short-term gains and losses together, and long-term together; a net loss in one offsets a gain in the other.
- If you still have a net loss, deduct up to $3,000 a year from ordinary income ($1,500 if married filing separately) and carry the rest forward with no time limit.
- Tax short-term gains as ordinary income and long-term gains at 0/15/20%, then add NIIT and state tax.
Example: single, $80,000 of other taxable income and a $20,000 long-term stock gain. Your income is already past the 0% bracket ($49,450), so the whole gain is taxed at 15%: $3,000 federal, no NIIT, and no state tax in Texas.
Capital tax calculator for stocks, crypto and other assets
The same rules apply to stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, crypto, and collectibles (except that collectibles' long-term gains are taxed at up to 28%, which this calculator doesn't model). Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income, which is how the state figure is calculated; a few give a partial exclusion, and Washington has a separate capital gains tax. Crypto trades and sales show up on Form 1099-B or 1099-DA, and gains go on Form 8949 and Schedule D. For home sales, use the property gains tax calculator with the $250,000/$500,000 home sale exclusion.
Common questions
What is the capital gains tax rate for 2026?
0%, 15% or 20% for long-term gains, depending on income; short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income.
How much tax will I pay on a $20,000 stock gain?
If you're single with $80,000 of other taxable income and held over a year: 15%, $3,000 federal, plus any state tax.
What is the 0% capital gains bracket for 2026?
Taxable income up to $49,450 single, $98,900 married filing jointly or $66,200 head of household.
How much capital loss can I deduct?
Up to $3,000 a year against ordinary income ($1,500 married filing separately); the rest carries forward.
Who pays the 3.8% net investment income tax?
People with modified AGI over $200,000 single or $250,000 joint, on the lesser of investment income or the excess.
Sources
- IRS: 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32), via Journal of Accountancy
- Social Security Administration: 2026 contribution and benefit base
- ustax.tools: Capital gains tax rates for 2026 (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)
- IRS Topic 409: Capital gains and losses
- IRS Topic 559: Net investment income tax
Related
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.