2025 and 2026 capital gains rates

Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Estimate federal tax on short-term and long-term capital gains using current IRS thresholds and optional net investment income tax inputs.

Reviewed QuickTaxTools editorial review Updated April 25, 2026 and aligned to the sources linked below.
Tax year 2025 and 2026 This page uses the federal or state scope called out in the methodology section.
Source set IRS, SSA, and official guidance Primary references are linked on-page and collected in the site sources library.
Methodology Source library
Income and gain inputs
Taxable income before long-term capital gains are added.
Short-term tax
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Long-term tax
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NIIT estimate
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Total gain tax
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0% long-term gain portion-
15% long-term gain portion-
20% long-term gain portion-
Capital gains threshold band-
Potential NIIT base-
Estimate only. Collectibles, Section 1250 gain, passive-loss rules, and state taxes are not included.

Why stacking matters

Long-term capital gains do not use the same rate table as wages or short-term gains. This calculator stacks ordinary taxable income first, then layers long-term gains into the 0%, 15%, and 20% federal capital gains bands so you can see where the rate changes happen.

Methodology

How this calculator works

  • Tax short-term gains at ordinary income rates by stacking them on top of other taxable income.
  • Apply the separate 0%, 15%, and 20% long-term capital-gains thresholds after ordinary income is placed first.
  • Estimate the 3.8% net investment income tax when modified AGI exceeds the IRS threshold and the page has enough investment-income inputs.
Worked example

Example scenario

An investor with wages and long-term gains can use this page to see whether any gain stays in the 0% band, how much moves into the 15% band, and whether higher income triggers net investment income tax.

Primary references

Direct sources for this page

IRS federal income tax rates and brackets

Ordinary income rates and capital-gains thresholds.

IRS Instructions for Form 8960

Net investment income tax rules.

IRS Publication 550

Investment income and expenses guidance.

Reviewed with the site-wide editorial methodology and the full sources library.
Next step

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Frequently asked questions
How are short-term gains taxed?
Short-term capital gains are generally taxed at ordinary federal income tax rates, so this calculator stacks them on top of your ordinary taxable income.
How are long-term gains taxed?
Long-term gains use separate federal capital gains thresholds. This calculator applies the 0%, 15%, and 20% rates by stacking gains on top of your ordinary taxable income.
What is the net investment income tax?
The 3.8% net investment income tax can apply when modified AGI exceeds the IRS threshold. This page can estimate that extra federal tax when you enter the optional investment-income fields.