Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Estimate tax on an investment gain.
Enter your values
Enter the purchase price (cost basis) in $.
Enter the sale proceeds in $.
Choose one of: Under 1 year, 1 year or more.
Enter the your tax rate in %.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Capital gain
- $14,500.00
- Estimated tax
- $2,175.00
- Net after tax
- $32,325.00
- Effective return
- 72.5%
- Treatment
- Long-term (preferential rate)
Working
- 1Tax = $14,500.00 × 15% = $2,175.00
Quick answer
Assets held over a year usually qualify for lower long-term capital gains rates than ordinary income rates.
Tax = (proceeds − basis) × rate
At a glance
| What it does | Estimate tax on an investment gain. |
|---|---|
| Category | Investing |
| Inputs needed | Purchase price (cost basis), Sale proceeds, Holding period, Your tax rate |
| Main output | Capital gain |
| Formula | Tax = (proceeds − basis) × rate |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Capital Gains Tax Calculator
- 1Enter your original cost basis.
- 2Enter the sale proceeds.
- 3Set your applicable capital gains rate.
Inputs explained
- Purchase price (cost basis)($)
- Enter the purchase price (cost basis) in $.
- Sale proceeds($)
- Enter the sale proceeds in $.
- Holding period
- Choose one of: Under 1 year, 1 year or more.
- Your tax rate(%)
- Enter the your tax rate in %.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Purchase price (cost basis)20000 $
- Sale proceeds34500 $
- Holding period1 year or more
- Your tax rate15 %
Results
- Capital gain$14,500.00
- Estimated tax$2,175.00
- Net after tax$32,325.00
- Effective return72.5%
- TreatmentLong-term (preferential rate)
- Tax = $14,500.00 × 15% = $2,175.00
Frequently asked questions
Why does one year matter?
In the US, gains on assets held over a year are taxed at 0/15/20% rather than your ordinary income rate, which can exceed 37%.
Can losses offset gains?
Yes. Realised losses offset gains, and in the US up to $3,000 of net loss can offset ordinary income each year.
What do I need to enter into the Capital Gains Tax Calculator?
Just 4 values: purchase price (cost basis), sale proceeds, holding period, your tax rate. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Capital Gains Tax Calculator work out the answer?
Assets held over a year usually qualify for lower long-term capital gains rates than ordinary income rates. It applies the formula Tax = (proceeds − basis) × rate and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Capital Gains Tax Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.