Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Calculate capital gains tax owed on stocks, cryptocurrency, and real estate sales, comparing short-term (ordinary income) vs.
What this calculator does
The Capital Gains Tax Calculator estimates your result instantly from the values you enter, using standard taxes & income formulas. Calculate capital gains tax owed on stocks, cryptocurrency, and real estate sales, comparing short-term (ordinary income) vs. Calculations run in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to a server, and the output is an estimate for planning rather than financial advice.
Capital Gains Tax Breakdown
Capital Gains Tax Owed
- Capital Gain (Profit) $0.00
- Net Proceeds After Tax $0.00
- NIIT (3.8%) $0.00
- Effective Rate on Gain 0%
What This Means
About Capital Gains Tax Calculator
The Capital Gains Tax Calculator computes federal and state capital gains taxes on asset sales, distinguishing between short-term gains (held ≤ 1 year, taxed as ordinary income) and preferential long-term gains (held > 1 year, taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20%), plus the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT).
Formula & Mathematical Calculation
Capital Gain ($) = Selling Price - Purchase Price (Cost Basis) - Transaction Fees
Long-Term Federal Tax = Capital Gain × Long-Term Bracket Rate (0%, 15%, or 20%) + NIIT (3.8% if applicable)
Calculation Example
$40,000 Profit on Stock ($60k Sale - $20k Cost Basis, Single Filer, $90k Income): Short-Term (Held 8 mos @ 22% tax) = $8,800 Tax. Long-Term (Held 18 mos @ 15% tax) = $6,000 Tax (Holding over 1 year saves $2,800 in taxes!).
Key Benefits
- Differentiates short-term vs. preferential long-term capital gains tax rates
- Applies IRS long-term tax brackets (0%, 15%, 20%) based on taxable income
- Includes 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) for high earners
- Supports stocks, ETFs, crypto, precious metals, and real estate
- Essential year-end tax planning tool
How to Use this Calculator
-
Enter Purchase Price (Cost Basis) & Sale Price
Input original cost and final proceeds. -
Select Holding Period
Choose Short-Term (≤ 1 Year) or Long-Term (> 1 Year). -
Select Tax Filing Status & Annual Income
Input taxable income bracket to determine rate. -
Calculate Capital Gains Tax
Click Calculate to view federal and state tax liabilities.
Assumptions & Limitations
What the calculation assumes
- Every value you enter is treated as an exact, known amount.
- Rates and contributions are assumed to stay constant for the whole period unless the form asks for them separately.
- Results use standard financial formulas and ignore fees, penalties and promotional terms that are not entered above.
- Inflation, tax changes and market volatility are not modelled unless a field for them is provided.
- Amounts are unit-agnostic: results are returned in the same currency you enter.
What it does not cover
- Capital Gains Tax Calculator produces estimates for education and planning, not a quote, offer or professional advice.
- Real-world outcomes differ when fees, taxes, rounding rules or provider-specific terms apply.
- Local regulations and tax rules vary by country and change over time; verify current rules for your jurisdiction.
- Figures are only as accurate as the inputs you supply — check them before acting on the result.
- For decisions with lasting financial impact, confirm the numbers with a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Free to use, no account needed. Calculations run in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to a server. Results are estimates — how we build and check our calculators.
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