The Federal Capital Gain Calculator estimates taxable gain and a simplified federal tax amount for an investment sale. It subtracts adjusted basis and selling costs from proceeds, then applies a user-entered federal capital-gain rate.
The model is useful for scenario planning before selling an asset or reviewing a completed transaction. It does not determine holding period, qualified tax treatment, loss limitations, depreciation recapture, netting across transactions, or the net investment income tax. Enter a rate that matches the treatment you expect.
1. Enter sale proceeds
Use the gross amount received.
2. Enter adjusted basis
Include purchase cost and valid basis adjustments.
3. Enter selling costs
Add transaction costs that reduce proceeds under your assumption.
4. Choose an assumed rate
Use the rate appropriate for your expected tax treatment.
5. Review gain and tax
A loss produces zero estimated tax in this model.
The main result is estimated federal tax on a positive gain under the entered rate.
A loss is shown in the breakdown but does not generate a tax benefit in this simplified model.
Given: $50,000 proceeds, $32,000 basis, $1,000 selling costs, and a 15% rate.
Calculation: Gain = $50,000 − $32,000 − $1,000 = $17,000. Tax = $17,000 × 0.15 = $2,550.
Result: Estimated federal capital-gain tax is $2,550.
They can be taxed differently. Choose a rate consistent with the holding period and your tax situation.
Not directly. Combine transactions in a separate worksheet before entering a net scenario, or calculate each one separately.
No. Add any applicable additional tax separately.
No. It is a planning estimate based only on the values entered. A filed return may include rules, limits, elections, phaseouts, and forms that this simplified calculator does not model.
No unless a field explicitly asks for them. These tools focus on federal planning amounts and keep state, local, Social Security, and Medicare taxes separate.