.cgt-calculator-box {
background: #f8f9fa;
border: 1px solid #e9ecef;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 25px;
margin-bottom: 40px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.cgt-input-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.cgt-input-grid {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}
.cgt-field {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.cgt-label {
display: block;
font-weight: 600;
margin-bottom: 8px;
font-size: 14px;
color: #495057;
}
.cgt-input {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px 12px;
border: 1px solid #ced4da;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.cgt-select {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px 12px;
border: 1px solid #ced4da;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
background-color: white;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.cgt-btn {
background-color: #0056b3;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 12px 24px;
font-size: 16px;
font-weight: 700;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
width: 100%;
transition: background-color 0.2s;
}
.cgt-btn:hover {
background-color: #004494;
}
.cgt-results {
margin-top: 25px;
padding-top: 20px;
border-top: 2px solid #e9ecef;
display: none;
}
.cgt-result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
margin-bottom: 10px;
font-size: 15px;
}
.cgt-result-row.highlight {
font-weight: 700;
color: #0056b3;
font-size: 18px;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.cgt-badge {
display: inline-block;
padding: 4px 8px;
background: #e2e6ea;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 12px;
font-weight: bold;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
function calculateCapitalGains() {
// Get inputs
var purchase = parseFloat(document.getElementById('assetPurchasePrice').value);
var sale = parseFloat(document.getElementById('assetSalePrice').value);
var income = parseFloat(document.getElementById('annualIncome').value);
var status = document.getElementById('filingStatus').value;
var duration = document.getElementById('ownershipDuration').value;
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(purchase) || isNaN(sale) || isNaN(income)) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers for prices and income.");
return;
}
// Calculate Gain
var gain = sale – purchase;
var taxRate = 0;
var taxAmount = 0;
var netProfit = 0;
var taxTypeLabel = "";
if (gain <= 0) {
// No tax on loss (simplified)
taxAmount = 0;
taxRate = 0;
netProfit = gain;
taxTypeLabel = "Capital Loss (No Tax Due)";
} else {
// Calculate Tax based on duration
if (duration === 'short') {
taxTypeLabel = "Short Term Capital Gains (Ordinary Income)";
// Simplified 2024 Tax Brackets for calculation estimation
// Note: This adds gain to income to find the marginal rate,
// simplified logic uses total income bracket for the gain portion.
var totalIncomeForBracket = income + gain;
if (status === 'married') {
if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 23200) taxRate = 0.10;
else if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 94300) taxRate = 0.12;
else if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 201050) taxRate = 0.22;
else if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 383900) taxRate = 0.24;
else if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 487450) taxRate = 0.32;
else if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 731200) taxRate = 0.35;
else taxRate = 0.37;
} else { // Single or Head (simplified to Single brackets for estimation)
if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 11600) taxRate = 0.10;
else if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 47150) taxRate = 0.12;
else if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 100525) taxRate = 0.22;
else if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 191950) taxRate = 0.24;
else if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 243725) taxRate = 0.32;
else if (totalIncomeForBracket <= 609350) taxRate = 0.35;
else taxRate = 0.37;
}
} else {
taxTypeLabel = "Long Term Capital Gains (Preferential Rates)";
// 2024 Long Term Capital Gains Brackets
if (status === 'married') {
if (income <= 94050) taxRate = 0;
else if (income <= 583750) taxRate = 0.15;
else taxRate = 0.20;
} else if (status === 'head') {
if (income <= 63000) taxRate = 0;
else if (income <= 551350) taxRate = 0.15;
else taxRate = 0.20;
} else { // Single
if (income <= 47025) taxRate = 0;
else if (income <= 518900) taxRate = 0.15;
else taxRate = 0.20;
}
}
taxAmount = gain * taxRate;
netProfit = gain – taxAmount;
}
// Display Results
document.getElementById('taxTypeBadge').innerText = taxTypeLabel;
document.getElementById('displayGain').innerText = "$" + gain.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('displayRate').innerText = (taxRate * 100).toFixed(1) + "%";
document.getElementById('displayTax').innerText = "$" + taxAmount.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('displayNet').innerText = "$" + netProfit.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('cgtResults').style.display = "block";
}
Capital Gains Tax Estimator (USA)
Include salary + other income.
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Head of Household
Short Term (Less than 1 year)
Long Term (More than 1 year)
Long Term Capital Gains
Total Capital Gain:
$0.00
Estimated Tax Rate:
0%
Estimated Tax Owed:
$0.00
Net Profit (After Tax):
$0.00
Understanding Capital Gains Tax
Capital gains tax is a levy assessed on the positive difference between the sale price of the asset and its original purchase price. For investors in real estate, stocks, or other taxable assets, understanding how this tax is calculated is crucial for maximizing net profits.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Gains
The duration for which you hold an asset significantly impacts your tax liability:
- Short-Term Capital Gains: Applied to assets held for one year or less. These are taxed as ordinary income, meaning they are subject to your standard federal income tax brackets (ranging from 10% to 37%).
- Long-Term Capital Gains: Applied to assets held for more than one year. These benefit from preferential tax rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your taxable income and filing status.
How Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) Affects You
High earners may be subject to an additional 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax. This generally applies if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. This calculator provides a baseline estimate for federal capital gains but does not include the NIIT surtax or state-specific taxes.
Strategies to Minimize Capital Gains Tax
Investors often use specific strategies to reduce their tax burden:
- Hold for over a year: Waiting just one extra day to sell can significantly lower your tax rate by shifting from short-term to long-term status.
- Tax-Loss Harvesting: You can offset capital gains by selling underperforming assets at a loss. Up to $3,000 in excess losses can also offset ordinary income.
- Use Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Trading within a 401(k) or IRA defers taxes until withdrawal (or avoids them entirely in a Roth IRA).
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on 2024 federal tax brackets. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. State and local taxes are not included. Please consult a certified tax professional or CPA for advice specific to your financial situation.