Stock Sale Tax Calculator
Selling stock or ETFs? Your tax depends on how long you held the shares. This calculator computes your exact federal + state capital gains tax in seconds.
About this tool
Stocks and ETFs are taxed as capital gains when sold. Held more than a year: 0%, 15%, or 20% based on income. Held a year or less: ordinary income rates (10-37%). This calculator handles both and shows the tax-saving benefit of holding longer.
How to use it
Quick steps to get the most out of this utility.
- 1
Enter purchase and sale details
Cost basis, sale price, commissions, and dates.
- 2
Enter your income
Determines which bracket the gain falls in.
- 3
Set state tax rate
50-state dropdown or manual entry.
- 4
See net proceeds
After-tax amount you keep and the effective tax rate on your profit.
Tax Planning for Stock Investors
The most impactful tax planning decisions for stock investors: (1) Hold for long-term treatment (>365 days) whenever feasible. (2) Tax-loss harvest — sell positions at a loss to offset gains. (3) Use tax-advantaged accounts (IRA, 401k, HSA) for high-turnover or high-dividend assets. (4) Consider gifting appreciated stock to charity — you avoid the capital gain entirely. (5) Be aware of year-end mutual fund capital gain distributions, which can be taxable even without selling shares.
Frequently asked questions
Are stock dividends and capital gains taxed the same way?+
No. 'Qualified dividends' (most dividends from US stocks and qualified foreign stocks held long enough) are taxed at the same preferential rates as long-term capital gains (0/15/20%). 'Ordinary dividends' are taxed as ordinary income. Capital gains from selling stock depend only on holding period — not on whether the stock paid dividends.
What is the wash-sale rule and does it apply here?+
The wash-sale rule disallows a capital loss if you buy the same or substantially identical stock within 30 days before or after selling at a loss. This calculator shows gains (not losses), so the wash-sale rule is typically not relevant. However, if you have losses, be mindful: selling at a loss and repurchasing within 30 days is a common tax planning mistake that violates the wash-sale rule.
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More views of the same calculator
Open main calculator →Same underlying engine, written for different use cases. Pick the angle that matches your situation.