Short-term (under 1 year): 10-37% (ordinary income). Long-term: 0%, 15%, or 20%. Plus 3.8% NIIT for high earners.
Updated Mar 2026Finance0%-37%
Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Estimate your tax on investment gains
2026 Capital Gains Tax Rates
Type
Rate
Income Threshold (Single)
Short-term (<1 yr)
10-37%
Taxed as ordinary income
Long-term: 0%
0%
Up to ~$47,025
Long-term: 15%
15%
$47,026-$492,300
Long-term: 20%
20%
Over $492,300
NIIT surcharge
+3.8%
Over $200,000 ($250K married)
How Costs Compare
35%
23%
30%
12%
Short-term (<1 yr) 35%
Long-term: 15% 23%
Long-term: 20% 30%
NIIT surcharge 12%
Tax-Saving Strategies
Hold over 1 year — Long-term rates (0-20%) are always lower than short-term (10-37%). Patience pays.
Tax-loss harvesting — Sell losers to offset gains. Up to $3,000 in net losses can offset ordinary income per year.
Use the 0% bracket — If your taxable income is under $47K (single), you pay 0% on long-term gains. Plan withdrawals in low-income years.
Qualified Opportunity Zones — Reinvest gains into QOZ funds to defer and potentially reduce capital gains tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is capital gains tax?▼
0-20% for long-term (held over 1 year) depending on income. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income (10-37%). High earners also pay 3.8% NIIT surcharge.
How do I avoid capital gains tax?▼
Hold over 1 year for lower rates. Use tax-loss harvesting. Sell in low-income years for the 0% rate. Use 1031 exchanges for real estate. Donate appreciated assets to charity.
When do I pay capital gains tax?▼
When you sell an investment for more than you paid. Tax is due with your annual return (April 15). If gains are large, you may need to make quarterly estimated payments.
What about crypto capital gains?▼
Crypto is taxed the same as stocks. Short-term: ordinary income rates. Long-term (held 1+ year): 0-20%. Every sell, swap, or spend of crypto is a taxable event.