USA: Paycheck & taxes
Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Estimate the tax on a profit from selling stocks, funds, crypto or other assets. Enter what you paid, what you sold for, how long you held it and your other income. The calculator applies the 2026 long-term rates or ordinary rates for short-term gains, and adds the 3.8% net investment income tax when it applies.
How to use the Capital Gains Tax Calculator
- Enter the purchase and sale price (include fees in the cost).
- Choose whether you held it more than a year.
- Enter your other taxable income and filing status.
- Add a state rate if your state taxes gains.
Formula
Example
A single filer with $70,000 of taxable income who sells shares for an $8,000 long-term gain pays 15% = $1,200 federal tax.
2026 long-term capital gains rates
- 0% - taxable income up to $49,450 single / $98,900 married jointly
- 15% - up to $545,500 single / $613,700 married jointly
- 20% - above those amounts
Ways to lower the tax
- Hold investments more than one year
- Harvest losses to offset gains
- Use IRAs and 401(k)s for active trading
- Give appreciated shares to charity
- Sell in a lower-income year
Related free tools
Frequently asked questions
What is cost basis?
What you paid, plus commissions and some other costs. For inherited assets, it is usually the value on the date of death.
Is selling my home taxed?
Up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 married) on a main home is usually tax free if you lived there 2 of the last 5 years.
Is crypto taxed the same way?
Yes. The IRS treats crypto as property, so the same capital gains rules apply.
What is the NIIT?
A 3.8% tax on investment income above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married jointly).
Tax figures are for the 2026 tax year and are estimates for planning only. For filing decisions, confirm with a qualified tax professional or the IRS. Your inputs stay in your browser and are not sent to Soft2Cloud.
Last updated: November 2026