Capital Gains Tax Calculator (US Federal 2024)
Your Estimated Tax Liability
Total Capital Gain
Effective Tax Rate on Gain
Estimated Tax Owed
The Price of Profit
Congratulations on your successful investment! Whether you sold stocks, cryptocurrency, or a piece of real estate for more than you paid, you've realized a capital gain. But before you celebrate, it's crucial to remember that your profit isn't entirely yours—the government requires its share through the capital gains tax.
The amount you'll owe depends heavily on one key factor: how long you held the asset. The US tax code treats **short-term gains** (held one year or less) very differently from **long-term gains** (held more than one year). This calculator handles both scenarios, applying the correct 2024 tax rates based on your income and filing status to give you a clear estimate of your federal tax liability. *This is an estimate for planning purposes and is not tax advice.*
More Investment & Tax Tools
- Stock Profit & Loss Calculator: A simple tool to calculate your gain or loss before taxes.
- Income Tax Calculator: Estimate your tax liability on your ordinary income.
- Investment Calculator: Project the future growth of your investments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What's the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains?
It's all about the holding period. **Short-term gains** are from assets you owned for one year or less. They are taxed at your ordinary income tax rates, which are higher. **Long-term gains** are from assets you owned for more than one year. They are taxed at lower, preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your income level.
What is "cost basis"?
Your cost basis is essentially what you paid for the asset. For stocks, it's the purchase price plus any commissions. For real estate, it can include the purchase price plus certain improvement costs. A higher cost basis means a lower capital gain, and therefore a lower tax bill.
Can I deduct capital losses?
Yes. If you have capital losses, you can use them to offset your capital gains. If your losses exceed your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 of the excess loss against your ordinary income per year. Any remaining loss can be carried forward to future years. This calculator does not account for loss harvesting.