Capital Gains & Investment Tax Calculators (2026)
Investment returns are only meaningful after taxes. These free calculators estimate how much you actually keep from capital gains, cryptocurrency, and real estate sales — using 2026 federal tax rates. Long-term gains are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20%. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income.
Jump to: Calculators · Capital gains rates · FAQs
Investment tax calculators (2026)
- Capital gains tax calculator Estimate tax on stocks, ETFs, or other asset sales — short-term vs long-term rates, with NIIT for high earners. Enter cost basis and sale price to see net proceeds.
- Crypto tax calculator Estimate tax on cryptocurrency trades, sales, and conversions — applies capital gains rates based on holding period. Covers Bitcoin, Ethereum, and all crypto assets.
- Home sale tax calculator Estimate capital gains tax on real estate after the $250k/$500k primary residence exclusion. Covers both primary homes and investment properties.
Capital gains tax rates for 2026
Long-term capital gains rates (assets held over 12 months)
| Filing Status | 0% Rate | 15% Rate | 20% Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $48,350 | $48,351 – $533,400 | Over $533,400 |
| Married Filing Jointly | Up to $96,700 | $96,701 – $600,050 | Over $600,050 |
| Head of Household | Up to $64,750 | $64,751 – $566,700 | Over $566,700 |
High earners also owe 3.8% NIIT (Net Investment Income Tax) on investment income above $200,000 single / $250,000 married filing jointly. Maximum effective rate on long-term gains: 23.8% (20% + 3.8%).
Short-term vs long-term: tax comparison on a $50,000 gain
| Holding Period | Tax Treatment | Rate (Single, $100k total income) | Tax on $50,000 Gain | After-Tax Proceeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 months | Ordinary income (short-term) | 22% marginal | ~$11,000 | ~$39,000 |
| Over 12 months | Long-term capital gains | 15% | ~$7,500 | ~$42,500 |
| Over 12 months (low income) | Long-term capital gains | 0% | $0 | $50,000 |
Holding an asset for at least one year and one day before selling can save thousands in taxes on the same gain. Use the capital gains tax calculator to model both scenarios for your specific income and gain amount.
Crypto tax rates (2026)
Cryptocurrency is treated as property by the IRS. The same capital gains rates apply: short-term crypto gains (held under 12 months) are taxed as ordinary income; long-term gains (held over 12 months) qualify for the 0%/15%/20% preferential rates. Receiving crypto as payment, mining rewards, or staking income is taxed as ordinary income at fair market value on the date received.
Home sale exclusion (2026)
Single filers can exclude up to $250,000 of capital gain from a home sale; married filing jointly can exclude up to $500,000 — if the home was your primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years. Gain above the exclusion is taxed at long-term capital gains rates (if owned over 12 months). Investment properties do not qualify for the exclusion. Use the home sale tax calculator to estimate your specific tax after exclusion.
Related calculators
- RSU tax calculator Estimate tax when RSUs vest — ordinary income at vesting, capital gains on subsequent appreciation
- Stock option tax calculator NSO vs ISO tax analysis — exercise and sale scenarios with capital gains breakdown
- Retirement withdrawal tax calculator Estimate taxes on IRA and 401k withdrawals — taxed as ordinary income, not capital gains
- Marginal vs effective tax rate How bracket stacking works — relevant for years with large capital gains events
Filing taxes with investment income?
Capital gains, crypto disposals, and home sales all require accurate reporting on your return. These tools handle investment-specific tax situations:
- TurboTax — handles capital gains, crypto, RSUs, and home sale reporting automatically
- H&R Block — file with a tax professional for complex investment or real estate situations
- FreeTaxUSA — handles Schedule D capital gains at low cost
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Investment tax: FAQs
What is the capital gains tax rate for 2026?
For 2026, long-term capital gains (assets held over 12 months) are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on taxable income. Single filers pay 0% up to $48,350, 15% up to $533,400, and 20% above that. High earners also owe the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) above $200,000 single / $250,000 married. Short-term gains (held 12 months or less) are taxed as ordinary income at your marginal rate (10%–37%). Use the capital gains tax calculator to estimate your specific tax.
What is the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains?
Short-term capital gains apply to assets sold within 12 months of purchase and are taxed as ordinary income at your marginal federal rate (10%–37%). Long-term capital gains apply to assets held over 12 months and are taxed at preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%. Holding an asset for at least one year and one day before selling can significantly reduce the tax owed on the same gain — on a $50,000 gain at 22% marginal rate, switching from short-term to long-term saves approximately $3,500 in federal tax.
Do I pay tax on cryptocurrency gains?
Yes. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property. Selling, trading, or converting crypto are taxable events subject to capital gains tax. Short-term crypto gains (held under 12 months) are taxed at ordinary income rates. Long-term gains (held over 12 months) qualify for the preferential 0%/15%/20% rates. Receiving crypto as payment or mining rewards is taxed as ordinary income at the fair market value on the date received. Use the crypto tax calculator to estimate tax on any cryptocurrency transaction.
Is selling a home taxable?
Home sales may be partially or fully excluded from capital gains tax. Single filers can exclude up to $250,000 of gain; married filing jointly can exclude up to $500,000 — if the home was your primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years. Gain above the exclusion is taxed at long-term capital gains rates if you owned the home over 12 months. Investment properties do not qualify for the exclusion. Use the home sale tax calculator to estimate your tax after exclusion.
What is the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)?
The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) is an additional 3.8% tax on investment income — including capital gains, dividends, and interest — for high earners. It applies to single filers with modified adjusted gross income above $200,000 and married filers above $250,000. NIIT stacks on top of the regular capital gains rate, so the maximum effective rate on long-term gains for high earners is 23.8% (20% + 3.8%).
How does tax-loss harvesting reduce investment taxes?
Tax-loss harvesting involves selling investments at a loss to offset capital gains from other sales in the same tax year. Losses first offset gains of the same type (short-term vs long-term), then gains of the other type, then up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year. Unused losses carry forward to future tax years. This strategy can significantly reduce your capital gains tax bill in years with large realized gains.