Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2026
Selling stocks, crypto, or property? How long you held the asset changes everything: long-term gains (held over a year) enjoy 0%, 15%, or 20% rates, while short-term gains are taxed like salary. Estimate your 2026 federal capital gains tax here.
- Effective rate on gain
- 15.0%
- Gain after tax
- $17,000.00
How this calculator works
- Long-term gains stack on top of your ordinary taxable income and fill the 0% bracket (up to $49,450 single / $98,900 married in 2026), then 15%, then 20% above $545,500 / $613,700.
- Short-term gains are simply added to ordinary income and taxed at your regular bracket.
- High earners may also owe the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (MAGI over $200k/$250k), not modeled here.
Frequently asked questions
How is crypto taxed?
The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property: every sale, swap, or purchase with crypto is a taxable event with the same long/short-term rules as stocks.
Can I pay 0% on long-term gains?
Yes — if your total taxable income including the gain stays under $49,450 (single) in 2026, the long-term rate is literally zero. Retirees and low-income years are prime opportunities for tax-free gain harvesting.
What about selling my home?
A primary residence you owned and lived in for 2 of the last 5 years excludes up to $250k of gain ($500k married) from tax entirely.
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Disclaimer: Results are estimates for educational purposes only and are not tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules are simplified (credits, phase-outs, and local taxes may not be modeled). Verify important decisions with the IRS, your state tax authority, or a licensed professional.