Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Gain = sale − basis − costs; tax ≈ max(0, gain) × rate. Click any i for detail.
Sale & basis
Sale price ($)
i
Sale
Gross proceeds from the sale. |
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Cost basis ($)
i
Basis
Purchase price plus adjustments. |
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Selling costs ($)
i
Costs
Commissions, fees, and similar. |
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Holding period
i
Term
Short-term often uses ordinary rates; long-term preferential rates. |
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Tax rate (%)
i
Rate
Sketch rates: short 37; long 15 or 20. |
How to use this calculator
- Enter sale price and cost basis.
- Add selling costs if any.
- Choose short- or long-term holding.
- Pick a rate sketch and read estimated tax.
Results explained
Taxable gain is sale minus basis minus selling costs (floored at zero for the tax sketch). Short-term gains are often taxed like ordinary income; long-term gains commonly use 0/15/20% federal rates. State tax and NIIT are omitted.
Quick reference: capital gains
tax ≈ max(0, sale − basis − costs) × rate%.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Often ordinary brackets |
| Long 15% | Common middle sketch |
| Long 20% | Higher taxable-income band |
| NIIT 3.8% | Not added here |
Not tax advice — confirm with current IRS rules or a tax pro.
How the estimate is built
gain = sale − basis − sellingCosts; tax = max(0, gain) × rate/100.
Example scenario
$100k sale − $60k basis at 15% → $6,000 tax sketch.
FAQ
What is basis?
Usually what you paid, plus certain improvements/fees.
Losses?
Negative gain shows; tax floors at $0 here.
Collectibles?
Different rates may apply — not modeled.
Primary residence exclusion?
Not applied automatically.