Capital Gains
Quick Definition
The profit realized when an investment is sold for more than its purchase price, subject to taxation at rates that vary based on holding period and income level.
Key Takeaways
- Capital gains = profit from selling an investment above your purchase price (cost basis)
- Long-term gains (held >1 year) are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% — far lower than short-term rates of up to 37%
- Holding investments for at least 1 year and 1 day is one of the simplest tax optimization strategies
- Capital losses can offset capital gains plus up to $3,000/year of ordinary income
- Unrealized gains are not taxed — you control when to trigger a taxable event by choosing when to sell
What Is Capital Gains?
A capital gain occurs when you sell an investment for more than you paid for it. The difference between the purchase price (cost basis) and the sale price is the gain. Capital gains are one of the two primary ways investors make money — the other being income (dividends, interest, rent).
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Capital Gains: The distinction between short-term and long-term capital gains is one of the most important tax concepts for investors:
| Holding Period | Tax Classification | Tax Rate (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 1 year | Short-term capital gain | Taxed as ordinary income (10–37%) |
| > 1 year | Long-term capital gain | 0%, 15%, or 20% (based on income) |
2026 Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Rates:
| Filing Status | 0% Rate | 15% Rate | 20% Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to ~$48,350 | $48,350–$533,400 | Over $533,400 |
| Married Filing Jointly | Up to ~$96,700 | $96,700–$600,050 | Over $600,050 |
Additionally, high earners pay a 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) on top of capital gains rates.
Cost Basis Methods: When selling partial positions, you must determine which shares you're selling:
- FIFO (First In, First Out): Sell oldest shares first (default)
- Specific Identification: Choose exactly which shares to sell (most tax-efficient)
- Average Cost: Use the average price of all shares (common for mutual funds)
Capital Gains Strategies:
- Tax-loss harvesting: Sell losers to offset gains, reducing tax liability
- Hold for >1 year: Transform short-term gains (up to 37% tax) into long-term gains (0–20%)
- Step-up in basis at death: Heirs inherit assets at current market value, eliminating unrealized gains
- Opportunity zones: Defer and potentially reduce capital gains taxes by investing in qualified zones
- Charitable giving: Donate appreciated assets to avoid capital gains entirely and receive a deduction
Unrealized vs. Realized Gains:
- Unrealized gain: The profit exists on paper but hasn't been locked in — you haven't sold yet, so no tax is owed
- Realized gain: You sold the asset; the profit is now taxable in that tax year
- This distinction is crucial: you control WHEN to trigger a taxable event
Capital Losses: When you sell an investment for less than you paid, that's a capital loss. You can use capital losses to:
- Offset capital gains dollar-for-dollar
- Deduct up to $3,000/year of net capital losses against ordinary income
- Carry forward unused losses to future tax years indefinitely
Capital Gains Example
- 1You buy 100 shares of Apple at $150/share ($15,000 total). After 14 months, you sell at $200/share ($20,000). Your capital gain is $5,000, taxed at the long-term rate of 15% ($750 tax) because you held over 1 year. If you had sold at 11 months, the same $5,000 gain would be taxed at your ordinary income rate — potentially $1,850 at the 37% bracket
- 2An investor harvests $10,000 in capital losses from underperforming positions and uses them to offset $10,000 in capital gains from winning positions, resulting in $0 net taxable gain for the year — saving up to $2,000 in taxes
Related Terms
Capital
Financial assets or money used to fund a business, make investments, or generate income — the foundational resource of both investing and entrepreneurship.
Tax-Loss Harvesting
Selling investments at a loss to offset capital gains taxes, then reinvesting in similar (but not identical) assets.
Cost Basis
The original value or purchase price of an investment, adjusted for stock splits, dividends, and return of capital, used to calculate capital gains or losses for tax purposes.
Dividend
A distribution of a company's profits to shareholders, typically paid quarterly in cash or additional shares.
Unrealized Gains
Profits on investments that have increased in value but have not yet been sold, also known as "paper profits."
Capital Gains Tax
Tax on profits from selling investments. Short-term gains (held <1 year) taxed as income; long-term gains taxed at lower rates.
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