{"id":67421,"date":"2026-10-21T10:26:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T07:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/?p=67421"},"modified":"2026-10-21T10:26:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T07:26:10","slug":"capital-gains-tax-calculator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/capital-gains-tax-calculator\/","title":{"rendered":"Capital Gains Tax Calculator"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"not-prose calculator-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculator-title\"><div class=\"flex items-baseline sm:items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-2\"><span class=\"icon icon-calculator text-primary-700! text-base! dark:text-primary-300!\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2 id=\"calculator-title\" class=\"text-lg font-display font-bold\">Estimate Your Capital Gains Tax<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"calcdash-favorite group\">\n  <button type=\"button\" class=\"favorite\" id=\"favorite\" data-favorite-id=\"67421\" data-favorite-title=\"Capital Gains Tax\" data-favorite-url=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/capital-gains-tax-calculator\/\" data-favorite-excerpt=\"Estimate the capital gains tax on a stock, fund, crypto or property sale in the US. Enter purchase and sale details, holding period dates, filing status, other income and a state rate to see federal tax, the 3.8% NIIT, state tax and your after-tax profit.\" aria-label=\"Add to Favorites\" data-favorite-icon=\"icon icon-finance\">\n    <span class=\"icon icon-shape-star-empty\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n  <\/button>\n  <div class=\"calcdash-favorite__tip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n   <span class=\"favorite-tooltip\" id=\"favorite-tooltip\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"favorite-status\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><form action=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/capital-gains-tax-calculator\/\" method=\"POST\" class=\"calculator\" id=\"calculator-67421\" data-post=\"67421\"><fieldset class=\"fieldset-input is-2\"><legend class=\"sr-only\">Input Fields<\/legend><div class=\"field is-single\" id=\"input-1\"><label for=\"field-1\">How do you want to set the holding period?<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-1\" name=\"how_do_you_want_to_set_the_holding_period\"><option value=\"dates\" selected>Enter purchase and sale dates<\/option><option value=\"known\">I already know it (short- or long-term)<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-2\"><label for=\"field-2\">Purchase date<\/label><input type=\"date\" name=\"purchase_date\" id=\"field-2\" step=\"any\" value=\"2023-05-10\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-3\"><label for=\"field-3\">Sale date<\/label><input type=\"date\" name=\"sale_date\" id=\"field-3\" step=\"any\" value=\"2025-06-15\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field is-single\" id=\"input-4\" hidden><label for=\"field-4\">Holding period<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-4\" name=\"holding_period\"><option value=\"short\">Short-term (1 year or less)<\/option><option value=\"long\" selected>Long-term (more than 1 year)<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field is-single\" id=\"input-5\"><label for=\"field-5\">Filing status<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-5\" name=\"filing_status\"><option value=\"single\" selected>Single<\/option><option value=\"mfj\">Married filing jointly<\/option><option value=\"hoh\">Head of household<\/option><option value=\"mfs\">Married filing separately<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field is-single\" id=\"input-6\"><label for=\"field-6\">Tax year<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-6\" name=\"tax_year\"><option value=\"y2025\" selected>2025<\/option><option value=\"y2024\">2024<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-7\"><label for=\"field-7\">Purchase price (cost basis)<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"purchase_price_cost_basis\" id=\"field-7\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-7 calc-info-7\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"50000\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-7\">$<\/div><small id=\"calc-info-7\">What you paid for the asset, including buying fees (plus improvements if it is real estate).<\/small><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-8\"><label for=\"field-8\">Sale price (gross proceeds)<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"sale_price_gross_proceeds\" id=\"field-8\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-8\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"85000\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-8\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-9\"><label for=\"field-9\">Selling costs<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"selling_costs\" id=\"field-9\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-9 calc-info-9\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"2500\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-9\">$<\/div><small id=\"calc-info-9\">Commissions, brokerage fees, closing or transfer costs \u2014 subtracted from the proceeds.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-10\"><label for=\"field-10\">Other taxable income<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"other_taxable_income\" id=\"field-10\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-10 calc-info-10\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"45000\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-10\">$<\/div><small id=\"calc-info-10\">Your taxable income for the year from all other sources, excluding this gain and after the standard deduction. It sets which brackets the gain lands in.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-11\"><label for=\"field-11\">State capital gains tax rate<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"state_capital_gains_tax_rate\" id=\"field-11\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-11 calc-info-11\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"15\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-11\">%<\/div><small id=\"calc-info-11\">Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income. Leave 0 to skip the state part (e.g. in FL, TX, WA and other no-income-tax states).<\/small><\/div><\/fieldset><div class=\"buttons\"><button type=\"submit\" data-text=\"Re-Calculate\" id=\"calculate-button\" data-post=\"67421\">Calculate<\/button><button type=\"reset\">Reset<\/button><\/div><div class=\"field is-checkbox hidden!\" id=\"field-auto-calc\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"auto-calc\"><label for=\"auto-calc\">Calculate automatically<\/label><small>If enabled, the result will update automatically when you change any value.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"fieldset-result is-hidden\" aria-labelledby=\"result-title\" aria-live=\"polite\" role=\"region\"> <h3 class=\"result-title bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 dark:from-primary-900 dark:to-gray-800\" id=\"result-title\"><span class=\"icon icon-s-pulse\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Your Capital Gains Tax Estimate<\/h3><div class=\"result-box\"><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-1\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Capital gain<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-1\" data-unit=\"$\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-2\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Holding period<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-2\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-3\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Federal capital gains tax<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-3\" data-unit=\"$\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-4\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Net investment income tax (3.8%)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-4\" data-unit=\"$\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-5\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>State tax on the gain<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-5\" data-unit=\"$\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-6\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Total estimated tax<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-6\" data-unit=\"$\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-7\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Effective tax rate on the gain<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-7\" data-unit=\"%\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-8\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>After-tax profit<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-8\" data-unit=\"$\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-9\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>How the gain is taxed<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-9\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-10\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Important notes and disclaimer<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-10\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"result-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-link\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12.232 4.232a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.536 3.536l-1.225 1.224a.75.75 0 0 0 1.061 1.06l1.224-1.224a4 4 0 0 0-5.656-5.656l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 .225 5.865.75.75 0 0 0 .977-1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1-.142-3.667l3-3Z\"\/><path d=\"M11.603 7.963a.75.75 0 0 0-.977 1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1 .142 3.667l-3 3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-3.536-3.536l1.225-1.224a.75.75 0 0 0-1.061-1.06l-1.224 1.224a4 4 0 1 0 5.656 5.656l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-.225-5.865Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"copy-link__text\">Copy link to this calculation<\/span><\/button><span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"copy-link-status\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><a href=\"#respond\" class=\"hidden transition-opacity duration-300 opacity-0 w-50 text-sm justify-center items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300\" id=\"leave-comment\"><span class=\"icon icon-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>Leave a Comment<\/a><\/form><\/section><section id=\"calc-reactions\" class=\"not-prose hidden my-12 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 border border-indigo-100 rounded-xl px-6 py-4 shadow-sm\" data-post=\"67421\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\"><p id=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 text-center mb-2\">How did this result make you feel?<\/p><div role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex sm:flex-row sm:justify-around gap-4 sm:items-center sm:flex-wrap\"><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"like\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"like\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude00 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Like <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"helpful\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"helpful\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udca1 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Helpful <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"confused\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"confused\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude15 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Confused <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"disappointed\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"disappointed\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude1e <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Disappointed <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"inaccurate\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"inaccurate\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u274c <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Inaccurate <\/span><\/button><\/div><div id=\"reaction-message\" class=\"hidden mt-8 rounded-md border border-primary-100 bg-white\/50 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2 text-sm text-center shadow-sm\"><\/div><\/section><div class=\"calcdash-ad not-prose calcdash-ad--calc_result calcdash-ad--in-article\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1721569815777345\" data-ad-slot=\"6317458308\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-1\">.formula-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section class=\"formula-box\" aria-labelledby=\"formula-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"formula-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display mb-4\"><span class=\"icon icon-formula\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Capital Gains Tax Formula<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t<figure class=\"not-prose formula\">\r\n\t\t<figcaption class=\"formula-title\">Formula<\/figcaption>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"text-base text-gray-800\" id=\"formula\">\n\\[ \\text{Gain} = \\text{Sale price} - \\text{Selling costs} - \\text{Cost basis} \\\\ \\text{Federal tax (long-term)} = 0.15 \\times p_{15} + 0.20 \\times p_{20} \\\\ \\text{Federal tax (short-term)} = T(I + G) - T(I) \\\\ \\text{NIIT} = 0.038 \\times \\min(G,\\ \\max(0,\\ \\text{MAGI} - \\text{Threshold})) \\\\ \\text{Total tax} = \\text{Federal} + \\text{NIIT} + r_{\\text{state}} \\times G \\\\ \\text{After-tax profit} = G - \\text{Total tax} \\\\ \\text{Effective rate} = \\frac{\\text{Total tax}}{G} \\times 100\\% \\\\[ \/formula]\n<strong>Where:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>\\(G\\) \u2014 capital gain (sale price minus selling costs minus cost basis)<\/li>\n<li>\\(I\\) \u2014 other taxable income for the year (after the standard deduction, excluding this gain)<\/li>\n<li>\\(p_{15}, p_{20}\\) \u2014 portions of the gain falling into the 15% and 20% long-term brackets<\/li>\n<li>\\(T(\\cdot)\\) \u2014 ordinary income tax from the IRS bracket tables for your filing status<\/li>\n<li>\\(r_{\\text{state}}\\) \u2014 state capital gains tax rate (0 to skip)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe key idea is <strong>stacking<\/strong>: your capital gain is treated as the last dollars you earned, so it is taxed in the brackets that sit above your other taxable income.\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/figure>\r\n\t<\/p>\n<p>Long-term gains are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20% depending on where your total income lands, while short-term gains are taxed at your ordinary income rates. The 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) may add on top if your modified AGI exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 married filing jointly).<\/p>\n<p>\r\n<\/section>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-459\">.calculation-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section id=\"calculation\" class=\"calculation-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculation-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"calculation-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display\"><span class=\"icon icon-unordered-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Capital Gains Tax \u2013 Calculation Example<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> you bought shares on May 10, 2023 for $50,000 (cost basis) and sold them on June 15, 2025 for $85,000, paying $2,500 in commissions. Your holding period is more than one year, so the gain is long-term. Filing as single in 2025, your other taxable income is $45,000 and you live in a state with no income tax.<\/p>\n<p>First, the gain:<\/p>\n<p>\\[ G = 85{,}000 - 2{,}500 - 50{,}000 = 32{,}500 \\\\[ \/formula]<\/p>\n<p>The sale happened more than one year after purchase, so the gain qualifies for the long-term rates. For a single filer in 2025, the 0% rate applies up to $48,350 of taxable income and the 15% rate up to $533,400. Stacking the gain on top of $45,000 of other income:<\/p>\n<p>\\[ p_0 = 48{,}350 - 45{,}000 = 3{,}350 \\quad (0\\% \\ \\text{rate}) \\\\ p_{15} = 32{,}500 - 3{,}350 = 29{,}150 \\quad (15\\% \\ \\text{rate}) \\\\ \\text{Federal tax} = 29{,}150 \\times 0.15 = 4{,}372.50 \\\\[ \/formula]<\/p>\n<p>Modified AGI is \\(45{,}000 + 32{,}500 = 77{,}500\\), well below the $200,000 NIIT threshold, so no net investment income tax applies. The state rate is 0%.<\/p>\n<p>Then the totals:<\/p>\n<p>\\[ \\text{Total tax} = 4{,}372.50 \\\\ \\text{Effective rate} = \\frac{4{,}372.50}{32{,}500} \\approx 13.45\\% \\\\ \\text{After-tax profit} = 32{,}500 - 4{,}372.50 = 28{,}127.50 \\\\[ \/formula]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Result:<\/strong> a capital gain of $32,500 triggers about $4,372.50 in federal tax, an effective rate of 13.45%, leaving an after-tax profit of $28,127.50.<\/p>\n<p>\n\r\n<\/section>\n<h2>How to use the calculator<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Choose how to set the holding period: either <strong>Enter purchase and sale dates<\/strong> or <strong>I already know it (short- or long-term)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>If using dates, fill in the <strong>Purchase date<\/strong> and <strong>Sale date<\/strong> \u2014 the calculator checks the one-year rule for you. Otherwise pick <strong>Short-term (1 year or less)<\/strong> or <strong>Long-term (more than 1 year)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Select your <strong>Filing status<\/strong> (Single, Married filing jointly, Head of household, or Married filing separately) and the <strong>Tax year<\/strong> (2025 or 2024).<\/li>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Purchase price (cost basis)<\/strong> \u2014 what you paid, including buying fees (plus improvements for real estate).<\/li>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Sale price (gross proceeds)<\/strong> and the <strong>Selling costs<\/strong>, such as commissions, brokerage fees, or closing costs.<\/li>\n<li>Enter your <strong>Other taxable income<\/strong> for the year, excluding this gain and after the standard deduction. This determines which brackets the gain lands in.<\/li>\n<li>Set a <strong>State capital gains tax rate<\/strong>, or leave 0 if you live in a no-income-tax state such as Florida, Texas, or Washington.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What is capital gains tax?<\/h2>\n<p>Capital gains tax is the tax you owe when you sell a capital asset \u2014 stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, crypto, real estate, a business \u2014 for more than it cost you. The taxable gain is not the full sale price: it is the <strong>net proceeds<\/strong> (sale price minus selling costs) minus your <strong>cost basis<\/strong> (what you paid, including purchase fees). Only this gain is taxed, so accurate record-keeping of what you paid matters as much as what you sold for.<\/p>\n<p>The single most important factor is the <strong>holding period<\/strong>. Sell more than one year after purchase and the gain is <em>long-term<\/em>, taxed at preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%. Sell within one year or less and it is <em>short-term<\/em>, taxed at your ordinary income rates \u2014 which can be nearly double. This is why investors often wait just past the one-year mark before selling appreciated assets.<\/p>\n<p>Which long-term rate applies depends on your <strong>total taxable income<\/strong>, not just the gain. The gain is stacked on top of your other income: low earners can pay 0%, most taxpayers pay 15%, and high earners pay 20% on the portion above roughly $533,400 (single, 2025). High-income investors may also owe the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/self-employment-tax-calculator\/\">3.8% net investment income tax<\/a> when their modified AGI exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 if married filing jointly).<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>effective tax rate on the gain<\/strong> shown in the results often falls between brackets \u2014 for example, a large long-term gain may be partly at 15% and partly at 20%. The breakdown in the results explains exactly how your gain is split. If the sale produced a loss instead, no capital gains tax is due, and the loss can offset other gains plus up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year.<\/p>\n<h2>2025 long-term capital gains brackets (federal)<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Taxable income<\/th>\n<th>Single<\/th>\n<th>Married filing jointly<\/th>\n<th>Head of household<\/th>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>0% rate up to<\/td>\n<td>$48,350<\/td>\n<td>$96,700<\/td>\n<td>$64,750<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>15% rate up to<\/td>\n<td>$533,400<\/td>\n<td>$600,050<\/td>\n<td>$566,700<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20% rate above<\/td>\n<td>$533,400<\/td>\n<td>$600,050<\/td>\n<td>$566,700<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Assumptions, limitations and practical tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Capital asset only.<\/strong> The estimate assumes a plain capital asset and a fully taxable gain. It does not handle collectibles (28% rate), qualified small business stock exclusions, or depreciation recapture on real estate (25% rate) \u2014 all of which can change the result.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Holding period edge cases.<\/strong> The one-year clock for long-term treatment actually requires holding <em>more<\/em> than one year \u2014 sell exactly on the anniversary and the gain is still short-term. Inherited assets generally get a stepped-up basis and automatic long-term treatment.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wash sales.<\/strong> If you sell at a loss and repurchase a substantially identical asset within 30 days, the loss is disallowed under the wash-sale rule (relevant if you use the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/options-profit-calculator\/\">Options Profit Calculator<\/a> or trade frequently).<\/li>\n<li><strong>State taxes are simplified.<\/strong> Most states tax capital gains as ordinary income at a single rate, which is what the state field models. Some states exempt part of a gain, and a few have no income tax at all. If you itemize, state tax paid may be deductible federally.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Home sales.<\/strong> A primary residence gets a special exclusion \u2014 $250,000 of gain per person ($500,000 for joint filers) if you meet the ownership and use tests \u2014 so real estate results may be overstated. See also the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/closing-cost-calculator\/\">Closing Costs Calculator<\/a> when planning a property sale.<\/li>\n<li>For the tax on your regular wages and salary income, use the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/federal-income-tax-calculator\/\">Federal Income Tax Calculator<\/a>; this tool isolates the tax on the gain itself.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Verify before acting.<\/strong> Congress adjusts brackets yearly, and large or unusual transactions (restricted stock, QSBS, carryforwards) deserve professional advice. Check Schedule D and its instructions on the IRS website for the authoritative figures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Estimate the capital gains tax on a stock, fund, crypto or property sale in the US. Enter purchase and sale details, holding period dates, filing status, other income and a state rate to see federal tax, the 3.8% NIIT, state tax and your after-tax profit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[100],"class_list":["post-67421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-finance","tag-taxes-pay"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67421"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67421\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67422,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67421\/revisions\/67422"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}