Capital Gains Tax Estimator
Estimate your federal capital gains tax on stock sales — short-term vs. long-term — based on 2024 tax brackets.
| Filing Status | 0% Rate Up To | 15% Rate Up To | 20% Rate Above |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $47,025 | $518,900 | $518,900+ |
| Married Filing Jointly | $94,050 | $583,750 | $583,750+ |
| Head of Household | $63,000 | $551,350 | $551,350+ |
| Holding Period | Tax Type | Your Estimated Rate | Tax on This Gain | Net Proceeds |
|---|
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Capital Gains
If you hold an asset for one year or less, profits are taxed as ordinary income — the same rate as your salary (10%–37%). Hold for more than one year and you qualify for preferential long-term rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%.
2024 LTCG Rates Explained
Single filers pay 0% on long-term gains if total taxable income is under $47,025. The rate jumps to 15% up to $518,900, and 20% above that. Most middle-income investors pay 15%.
Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)
High earners may owe an additional 3.8% NIIT on investment income. This applies to singles earning above $200,000 and married couples above $250,000 (these thresholds are not inflation-adjusted). Combined with the 20% LTCG rate, top earners can face a 23.8% federal rate on gains — plus state taxes.
Tax-Loss Harvesting
If you have unrealized losses in other positions, selling them can offset your capital gains dollar-for-dollar. Up to $3,000 in net losses can also offset ordinary income per year, with the remainder carried forward to future years.