When you sell an investment or a home for more than you paid, the profit is a capital gain, and how much tax you owe depends on how long you held it and your total income.
Capital Gains Tax Calculator (2026)
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This calculator uses 2026 IRS brackets to estimate federal tax on a sale of stocks, funds, crypto or your main home, including the 3.8% net investment income tax and the $250,000 / $500,000 home-sale exclusion.
2026 long-term capital gains tax brackets
| 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 |
These ranges apply to your total taxable income, with long-term gains stacked on top of your wages and other ordinary income. Short-term gains, on assets held one year or less, are taxed at the same rates as your paycheck. Separately, the 3.8% net investment income tax applies to investment income above $200,000 of modified AGI ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly).
Ways to reduce capital gains tax
- Hold for more than a year. Long-term rates are usually far lower than short-term rates.
- Use the 0% bracket. In a low-income year, such as early retirement, you may be able to realize gains tax-free.
- Harvest losses. Losses offset gains, and up to $3,000 a year of excess losses can offset other income. Watch the wash-sale rule.
- Use tax-advantaged accounts. Trades inside a 401(k) or IRA aren’t taxed when you sell. See traditional vs. Roth IRA.
- Keep home improvement records. Improvements raise your basis and shrink the taxable gain on a home sale.
Frequently asked questions
How much capital gains tax will I pay on $50,000?
It depends on your other income and how long you held the asset. A single filer with $75,000 of other income would generally pay 15% on a $50,000 long-term gain, or $7,500 in federal tax, before any state tax. If the gain were short-term, it would be taxed at ordinary rates of 22% to 24% instead. Enter your numbers above for an estimate.
Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my house?
Often not. If you owned and lived in the home as your main residence for at least two of the five years before the sale, you can exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for most married couples filing jointly). Only the gain above that is taxed.
Is crypto taxed like stocks?
Yes. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, so selling, trading or spending it can create a capital gain or loss, taxed at short- or long-term rates based on how long you held it.
Sources: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (2026 inflation adjustments), IRS Topic 409 (Capital gains and losses), IRS Topic 559 (Net investment income tax) and IRS Publication 523 (Selling your home). For planning only, not tax advice.
Related: Income Tax & Refund Estimator, How the Stock Market Works, Cryptocurrency for Beginners, Year-End Tax Planning.