Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2026 — Short & Long-Term Rates
2026Calculate short-term and long-term capital gains tax on stocks, real estate, and investments. Includes NIIT. Free, instant results based on 2026 IRS brackets.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications
Capital Gain
$100,000.00
Long-Term Rate
15%
Net Proceeds
$135,000.00
Federal Tax on Gains
$15,000.00
NIIT (3.8%)
$0.00
Total Tax on Gains
$15,000.00
Capital Gains Tax Breakdown
| Sale Price | $150,000.00 |
| Cost Basis (Purchase Price) | - $50,000.00 |
| Capital Gain | $100,000.00 |
| Type: Long-Term | Preferential rates |
| Ordinary Income | $75,000.00 |
| AGI (Income + Gains) | $175,000.00 |
| Federal Tax on Gains (15% marginal) | $15,000.00 |
| Total Tax | $15,000.00 |
| Effective Tax Rate on Gains | 15.00% |
| Net Proceeds After Tax | $135,000.00 |
Use the Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2026 — Short & Long-Term Rates above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
How It Works
Federal tax on an investment gain depends heavily on how long you owned the asset before selling it in 2026. Long-term gains keep their preferential treatment at 0%, 15%, and 20%, with the rate set by where your income falls. Short-term gains get no such break; they fold into your ordinary income and can be taxed at rates reaching 37%.
Sorting the gain comes first. Anything held a year or less counts as short-term, anything held longer as long-term, and the appropriate rate is then applied against your total taxable income and filing status. High earners also face the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax, and all of the income thresholds are the inflation-adjusted figures for 2026.
One detail trips up a lot of sellers: the holding period is measured to the day. Unloading an asset even 24 hours before the one-year mark flips it from long-term to ordinary rates and can swing the bill sharply. State tax is a separate matter entirely and falls outside this federal estimate, so budget for it on its own.
Calculating Tax on $50,000 Stock Gain for Married Filing Jointly
- 1 A married couple filing jointly realizes a $50,000 long-term capital gain from selling stock, with a combined taxable income of $120,000 in 2026.
- 2 Their total income including the gain ($170,000) falls within the 15% long-term capital gains bracket for married filing jointly (between $94,050 and $583,750 for 2026).
- 3 The long-term capital gains tax equals $50,000 × 15% = $7,500, with no additional Net Investment Income Tax since their income is below the $250,000 threshold.
- 4 Their total federal capital gains tax liability is $7,500, resulting in net proceeds of $42,500 from the $50,000 gain, representing an effective tax rate of 15% on the investment profit.
Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications · Last updated: April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 2026 long-term capital gains tax rates?
How long do I need to hold an asset for long-term capital gains treatment?
Are capital gains taxed differently than regular income?
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