Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Estimate capital gains tax from your cost basis, sale price and holding period. Long-term gains use preferential rates; short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income — the calculator applies the right treatment for the selected year.
Written and reviewed by the CalcBundle editorial team. Transparent formulas · results are estimates, not advice.
Estimated capital gains tax
Enter a purchase and sale price.
Cost basis and the gain
- Adjusted cost basis = purchase price + purchase costs + improvements
- Adjusted proceeds = sale price − selling costs
- Capital gain = adjusted proceeds − adjusted cost basis
Short-term vs long-term
Holding period decides treatment. Long-term gains (held > 12 months in the US) receive the 0/15/20% rates; short-term gains are taxed like ordinary income at your marginal rate. Enter the holding period to switch treatment.
Related
Compare the pre-tax result from the stock profit calculator or investment return calculator, and for property see the real estate ROI calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is a capital gain?
A capital gain is the profit when you sell an asset for more than its adjusted cost basis (purchase price plus purchase costs and improvements). A loss occurs when the proceeds are lower.
What is the difference between short-term and long-term?
In the US, assets held one year or less are short-term and taxed as ordinary income; assets held more than a year are long-term and taxed at preferential 0%, 15% or 20% rates depending on your income.
How is the long-term rate determined?
Long-term gains stack on top of your other taxable income and pass through the 0/15/20% thresholds for your filing status and tax year, so part of a gain can be taxed at different rates.
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Disclaimer. This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are based on the information you enter and the assumptions used by the calculator. Actual financial, tax, business valuation, lending, marketplace or investment outcomes may differ. Consider consulting a qualified professional for decisions involving significant amounts of money. This estimate is for informational purposes only and is not tax or investment advice. State taxes and special rules (e.g. collectibles, primary-residence exclusions) are not modelled.