Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2025
Calculate your tax on stock sales, cryptocurrency, real estate, and other investments. Includes short-term vs. long-term rates, the NIIT surtax, and loss offsetting.
Investment Details
Your Sales
Tax Summary
Loss Offset Summary
Long-Term Capital Gains Brackets
Per-Asset Breakdown
| Asset | Type | Proceeds | Basis | Gain/Loss | Tax |
|---|
Tax Breakdown
2025 Capital Gains Tax Rates
Long-term capital gains receive preferential tax rates, while short-term gains are taxed at your ordinary income rate.
Long-Term Rates (held > 1 year)
| Rate | Single | Married Joint | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | $0 – $48,350 | $0 – $96,700 | $0 – $64,750 |
| 15% | $48,351 – $533,400 | $96,701 – $600,050 | $64,751 – $566,700 |
| 20% | Over $533,400 | Over $600,050 | Over $566,700 |
Short-Term Rates (held ≤ 1 year)
Short-term capital gains are added to your ordinary income and taxed at your marginal tax rate — from 10% to 37% depending on your total taxable income.
This is why holding investments for more than one year can significantly reduce your tax bill.
Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) — The 3.8% Surtax
What Is the NIIT?
The Net Investment Income Tax is an additional 3.8% tax on investment income that was introduced by the Affordable Care Act. It applies to individuals with high income and can add a meaningful amount to your total capital gains tax bill.
Who Pays the NIIT?
The NIIT applies when your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds:
How It's Calculated
The 3.8% tax applies to the lesser of:
- Your net investment income (capital gains, dividends, interest, rents), OR
- The amount your MAGI exceeds the threshold
Example
Capital Gains Tax Strategies
Hold for 1+ Year
The single most impactful strategy. Converting short-term gains (up to 37%) to long-term gains (0–20%) can save thousands. The holding period starts the day after purchase.
Tax-Loss Harvesting
Sell losing investments to offset gains. After netting, you can deduct up to $3,000 in net losses against ordinary income. Remaining losses carry forward indefinitely.
Stay in the 0% Bracket
If your taxable income is under $48,350 (single) or $96,700 (joint), long-term gains may be taxed at 0%. Retirees and lower-income years are ideal for harvesting gains tax-free.
Primary Residence Exclusion
Exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 married) in gains from selling your primary residence if you lived there 2 of the last 5 years. No need to buy another home.
Gift Appreciated Assets
Gifting assets to family members in lower tax brackets transfers your cost basis. They can sell and potentially pay 0% on long-term gains if their income qualifies.
Specific Identification
Instead of FIFO, specifically identify which shares to sell. Choose lots with the highest cost basis to minimize gains, or lots with losses to offset other gains.
Capital Gains by Asset Type
📈 Stocks & ETFs
Gains taxed at standard short-term or long-term rates. Dividends may qualify for the same preferential long-term rates. Losses can offset gains. Wash sale rule prevents repurchasing the same security within 30 days to claim a loss.
₿ Cryptocurrency
Treated as property by the IRS. Every sale, trade, or purchase with crypto is a taxable event. Same short-term/long-term rules apply. The wash sale rule does not currently apply to crypto (though legislation is pending).
🏠 Real Estate
Primary residence gains up to $250K/$500K are excluded. Investment property gains are fully taxable. Depreciation recapture is taxed at a flat 25%. 1031 exchanges can defer gains on investment properties.
🎨 Collectibles
Art, antiques, coins, precious metals, and other collectibles held over one year are taxed at a maximum rate of 28% — higher than the standard 20% long-term rate. Short-term gains are still taxed as ordinary income.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the capital gains tax rates for 2025?
Long-term capital gains (assets held over one year) are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income and filing status. For single filers: 0% on taxable income up to $48,350, 15% from $48,351 to $533,400, and 20% above $533,400. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income at rates from 10% to 37%.
What is the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains?
Short-term gains apply to assets held one year or less and are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate. Long-term gains apply to assets held more than one year and receive preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%). The holding period begins the day after acquisition.
How do capital losses work?
Losses offset gains dollar-for-dollar. Short-term losses first offset short-term gains; long-term losses first offset long-term gains. Remaining losses cross over to the other type. If you still have net losses, you can deduct up to $3,000/year ($1,500 if married separately) from ordinary income. Unused losses carry forward indefinitely.
Is cryptocurrency taxed as a capital gain?
Yes. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property. Selling, trading, or spending crypto triggers capital gains or losses. The same short-term/long-term rules apply based on how long you held the crypto. Mining and staking rewards are taxed as ordinary income when received.
How do I avoid capital gains tax on my home?
Under Section 121, you can exclude up to $250,000 (single) or $500,000 (married filing jointly) in capital gains from the sale of your primary residence. You must have owned and lived in the home for at least 2 of the last 5 years. This exclusion can be used once every 2 years.
What is the wash sale rule?
The wash sale rule prevents you from claiming a tax loss if you buy a "substantially identical" security within 30 days before or after the sale. The disallowed loss is added to the cost basis of the replacement shares. This rule currently applies to stocks and bonds but not to cryptocurrency (though this may change).
Get Your Complete Tax Picture
Capital gains are just one piece. Use our full federal tax calculator to see how all your income sources work together.