Capital gains tax rates are an important consideration for every investor because you'll have to pay capital gains tax on stocks when you sell them. That's also true of other assets, as we'll see below. By understanding how these work at the federal and state levels, you can minimize your tax burden.

An infographic explaining how your earnings are taxed when you sell shares of stock.
Image source: The Motley Fool

Capital gains taxes are also a hotly debated subject, and changes could be on the way. Some states are taking a closer look at starting capital gains taxes or raising their rates.

To provide the most recent info on capital gains taxes, we've collected data on long- and short-term capital gains tax rates, including from the IRS and in all 50 states.

What is capital gains tax?

What is capital gains tax?

Capital gains tax is the tax you pay after selling an asset that has increased in value. Assets subject to capital gains tax include stocks, real estate, and businesses. You pay capital gains tax on the profit you made from the sale.

Asset

An asset is a resource used to hold or create economic value.

For example, if you buy a stock for $100 and sell it for $150, you would pay capital gains tax on $50. Capital gains are an essential part of understanding how investing and taxes work.

There are exclusions for certain types of capital gains that can lower how much you pay in taxes. The home sale exclusion is one of the most common and allows you to save on taxes when selling a house. If you've owned and used your home as your main home for at least two out of five years prior to its date of sale, you can exclude up to $250,000 in capital gains if you're a single filer or up to $500,000 if you're filing jointly with your spouse.

What is short-term capital gains tax?

Short-term capital gains tax is what you pay on assets that you sell within a year. If you bought a share of Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and sold it six months later, you would pay short-term capital gains tax. This type of capital gain is taxed as ordinary income.

What is long-term capital gains tax?

Long-term capital gains tax is what you pay on assets that you sell after more than a year. If you bought a share of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) in 1995 and sold it in 2020, you would pay long-term capital gains tax.

Tax rates are lower for long-term capital gains, which is why it's generally recommended to hold assets for at least a year to minimize your taxes.

2024 federal capital gains tax rates

2024 federal capital gains tax rates

Just like income tax, you'll pay a tiered tax rate on your capital gains. For example, a single person with a total short-term capital gain of $15,000 would pay 10% of $11,600 ($1,160), then 12% on the additional $3,400 ($408), for a total of $1,568.

Federal short-term capital gains tax rates for the 2024 tax year

Federal tax rates on short-term capital gains are equal to income tax rates.

Data source: Internal Revenue Service (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE MARRIED FILING JOINTLY MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
10% Up to $11,600 Up to $23,200 Up to $11,600 Up to $16,550
12% $11,601 to $47,150 $23,201 to $94,300 $11,601 to $47,150 $16,551 to $63,100
22% $47,151 to $100,525 $94,301 to $201,050 $47,151 to $100,525 $63,101 to $100,500
24% $100,526 to $191,950 $201,051 to $383,900 $100,526 to $191,950 $100,501 to $191,950
32% $191,951 to $243,725 $383,901 to $487,450 $191,951 to $243,725 $191,951 to $243,700
35% $243,726 to $609,350 $487,451 to $731,200 $243,726 to $365,600 $243,701 to $609,350
37% Over $609,350 Over $731,200 Over $365,600 Over $609,350

Federal long-term capital gains tax rates for the 2024 tax year

Data source: Internal Revenue Service (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE MARRIED FILING JOINTLY MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
0% Up to $47,025 Up to $94,050 Up to $47,025 Up to $63,000
15% $47,026 to $518,900 $94,051 to $583,750 $47,026 to $291,850 $63,001 to $551,350
20% Over $518,900 Over $583,750 Over $291,850 Over $551,350

State capital gains tax rates

State capital gains tax rates

Each state has its own method of taxing capital gains. Most states tax capital gains as income. In states that do this, the state income tax applies to long- and short-term capital gains.

There are also plenty of states that handle capital gains differently. Some allow taxpayers to deduct a certain amount of capital gains. Others don't tax income or capital gains at all.

The sections below cover every state's tax laws for capital gains. They also include state income taxes for states that tax capital gains as income. Keep in mind that many states have special rules that apply to the sale of certain assets, such as exclusions for collectibles purchased before a certain year. Not every rule for every situation is included. Taxpayers should always review the capital gains rules in their state so they know about any relevant exceptions.

Alabama

Alabama taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Alabama capital gains tax rates

Data source: Alabama Department of Revenue (2024).
Tax Rate Single Married filing jointly Married filing separately Head of household
2% Up to $500 Up to $1,000 Up to $500 Up to $500
4% $501 to $3,000 $1,001 to $6,000 $501 to $3,000 $501 to $3,000
5% Over $3,000 Over $6,000 Over $3,000 Over $3,000

Alaska

Alaska does not tax personal income or capital gains.

Arizona

Arizona taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rate of 2.5%.

Arkansas

In Arkansas, 50% of long-term capital gains are treated as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. All short-term capital gains are treated as income, and 100% of these gains are taxed. Tax rates are the same for every filing status.

Arkansas capital gains tax rates

Data source: Arkansas Economic Development Commission (2024).
TAX RATE NET INCOME LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO $89,600
0.0% $0 to $5,299
2.0% $5,300 to $10,599
3.0% $10,600 to $15,099
3.4% $15,100 to $24,299
3.9% $24,300 to $89,600
Data source: Arkansas Economic Development Commission (2024).
TAX RATE NET INCOME GREATER THAN $89,600
2.0% $0 to $4,500
3.9% $4,501 and over

California

California taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

California capital gains tax rates

Source: State of California Franchise Tax Board (2024).
Tax rate Single or married filing separately Married filing jointly Head of household
1% $0 to $10,412 $0 to $20,824 $0 to $20,839
2% $10,413 to $24,684 $20,825 to $49,368 $20,840 to $49,371
4% $24,685 to $38,959 $49,369 to $77,918 $49,372 to $63,644
6% $38,960 to $54,081 $77,919 to $108,162 $63,645 to $78,765
8% $54,082 to $68,350 $108,163 to $136,700 $78,766 to $93,037
9.3% $68,351 to $349,137 $136,701 to $698,274 $93,038 to $474,824
10.3% $349,138 to $418,961 $698,275 to $837,922 $474,825 to $569,790
11.3% $418,962 to $698,271 $837,923 to $1,396,542 $569,791 to $949,649
12.3% Over $698,271 Over 1,396,542 Over $949,649

Colorado

Colorado taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The state income and capital gains tax is a flat rate of 4.4%. That has been temporarily reduced to 4.25% for the 2024 tax year. This income tax reduction can also be reactivated annually for 2025 to 2035 if certain revenue triggers are met.

Connecticut

Connecticut taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Data source: Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE OR MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY MARRIED FILING JOINTLY HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
2.0% $0 to $10,000 $0 to $20,000 $0 to $16,000
4.5% $10,001 to $50,000 $20,001 to $100,000 $16,001 to $80,000
5.5% $50,001 to $100,000 $100,001 to $200,000 $80,001 to $160,000
6.0% $100,001 to $200,000 $200,001 to $400,000 $160,001 to $320,000
6.5% $200,001 to $250,000 $400,001, to $500,000 $320,001 to $400,000
6.9% $250,001 to $500,000 $500,001 to $1,000,000 $400,001 to $800,000
6.99% Over $500,000 Over $1,000,000 Over $800,000

Delaware

Delaware taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. Tax rates are the same for every filing status.

Delaware capital gains tax rates

Data source: Delaware Division of Revenue (2024).
TAX RATE INCOME
0.0% $0 to $1,999
2.2% $2,000 to $4,999
3.9% $5,000 to $9,999
4.8% $10,000 to $19,999
5.2% $20,000 to $24,999
5.55% $25,000 to $59,999
6.6% $60,000 or higher

Florida

Florida does not tax personal income or capital gains.

Georgia

Georgia taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The state income and capital gains tax is a flat rate of 5.49%. If certain budget requirements are met, the tax rate will decrease by 0.10% each subsequent year until it reaches 4.99%.

Hawaii

Hawaii taxes capital gains at a rate of 7.25%.

Idaho

Idaho taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The state income and capital gains tax is a flat rate of 5.695% for all taxpayers. The rate applies to taxable income over $2,500 for single filers and over $5,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly.

Illinois

Illinois taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The Illinois state income and capital gains tax is a flat rate of 4.95%.

Indiana

Indiana taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The Indiana state income and capital gains tax is a flat rate of 3.05%.

Iowa

Iowa taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. Tax rates are the same for every filing status.

Iowa capital gains tax rates

Data source: Iowa Department of Revenue (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE MARRIED FILING JOINTLY
4.40% $0 to $6,000 $0 to $12,000
4.82% $6,001 to $30,000 $12,001 to $60,000
5.70% Over $30,000 Over $60,000

Kansas

Kansas taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Kansas capital gains tax rates

Data source: Kansas Legislature (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE, MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY, OR HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD MARRIED FILING JOINTLY
5.20% $0 to $23,000 $0 to $46,000
5.58% Over $23,000 Over $46,000

Kentucky

Kentucky taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The Kentucky state income and capital gains tax is a flat rate of 4.0%.

Louisiana

Louisiana taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Louisiana capital gains tax rates

Data source: Louisiana Department of Revenue (2024).
Tax rate Single, married filing separately, or head of household Married filing jointly
1.85% $0 to $12,500 $0 to $25,000
3.50% $12,501 to $50,000 $25,001 to $100,000
4.25% Over $50,000 Over $100,000

Maine

Maine taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Maine capital gains tax rates

Data source: Maine Revenue Services (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE OR MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY MARRIED FILING JOINTLY HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
5.80% $0 to $26,049 $0 to $52,099 $0 to $39,049
6.75% $26,050 to $61,599 $52,100 to $123,249 $39,050 to $92,449
7.15% $61,600 or more $123,250 or more $92,450 or more

Maryland

Maryland taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. 

Maryland capital gains tax rates

Source: Comptroller of Maryland (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE OR MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY MARRIED FILING JOINTLY OR HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
2.00% $0 to $1,000 $0 to $1,000
3.00% $1,001 to $2,000 $1,001 to $2,000
4.00% $2,001 to $3,000 $2,001 to $3,000
4.75% $3,001 to $100,000 $3,001 to $150,000
5.00% $100,001 to $125,000 $150,001 to $175,000
5.25% $125,001 to $150,000 $175,001 to $225,000
5.50% $150,001 to $250,000 $225,001 to $300,000
5.75% Over $250,000 Over $300,000

Massachusetts

Massachusetts taxes both income and most long-term capital gains at a flat rate of 5%. Short-term capital gains are taxed at 8.5%.

Michigan

Michigan taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The Michigan state income and capital gains tax is a flat rate of 4.25%.

Minnesota

Minnesota taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Minnesota capital gains tax rates for tax year 2024

Data source: Minnesota Department of Revenue (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE MARRIED FILING JOINTLY MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
5.35% $0 to $31,690 $0 to $46,330 $0 to $23,165 $0 to $39,010
6.80% $31,691 to $104,090 $46,331 to $184,040 $23,166 to $92,020 $39,011 to $156,760
7.85% $104,091 to $193,240 $184,041 to $321,450 ​ $92,021 to $160,725 $156,761 to $256,880
9.85% Over $193,240 Over $321,450 ​ Over $160,725 Over $256,880

Mississippi

Mississippi taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Mississippi capital gains tax rates

Data source: Mississippi Department of Revenue (2024).
Tax Rate Income
0% $0 to $10,000
4.7% Over $10,000

Mississippi capital gains tax rates for tax year 2024-2026

Income over $10,000 will be taxed in Mississippi as follows:

  • 4.7% in tax year 2024
  • 4.4% in tax year 2025
  • 4.0% in tax year 2026

Missouri

Missouri taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Missouri capital gains tax rates

Data source: Missouri Department of Revenue (2024).
TAX RATE INCOME
0.0% $0 to $1,273
2.0% $1,274 to $2,546
2.5% $2,547 to $3,819
3.0% $3,820 to $5,092
3.5% $5,093 to $6,365
4.0% $6,366 to $7,638
4.5% $7,639 to $8,911
4.8% Over $8,911

Montana

Montana has capital gains tax rates of 3.0% to 4.1% depending on the amount of capital gains minus ordinary income.

Montana capital gains tax rates

Data source: Montana Department of Revenue (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE MARRIED FILING JOINTLY MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
3.0% $0 to $20,499, minus ordinary income $0 to $40,999, minus ordinary income $0 to $20,499, minus ordinary income $0 to $30,749, minus ordinary income
4.1% $20,500 or more, minus ordinary income $41,000 or more, minus ordinary income $20,500 or more, minus ordinary income $30,750 or more

Nebraska

Nebraska taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Nebraska capital gains tax rates

Data source: Nebraska Department of Revenue (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE OR MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY MARRIED FILING JOINTLY HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
2.46% $0 to $3,900 $0 to $7,790 $0 to $7,270
3.51% $3,901 to $23,370 $7,791 to $46,760 $7,271 to $37,400
5.01% $23,371 to $37,760 $46,761 to $75,340 $37,401 to $55,850
5.84% Over $37,760 Over $75,340 Over $55,850

Nevada

Nevada does not tax personal income or capital gains.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire does not tax personal income or capital gains.

New Jersey

New Jersey taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

New Jersey capital gains tax rates

Source: New Jersey Division of Taxation (2020).
Tax rate Single and married filing separately
1.400% $0 to $20,000
1.750% $20,001 to $35,000
3.500% $35,001 to $40,000
5.525% $40,001 to $75,000
6.370% $75,001 to $500,000
8.970% $500,001 to $1,000,000
10.750% Over $1,000,000
Data source: New Jersey Division of Taxation (2020).
TAX RATE MARRIED FILING JOINTLY AND HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
1.400% $0 to $20,000
1.750% $20,001 to $50,000
2.450% $50,001 to $70,000
3.500% $70,001 to $80,000
5.525% $80,001 to $150,000
6.370% $150,001 to $500,000
8.970% $500,000 to $1,000,000
10.750% Over $1,000,000

New Mexico

New Mexico taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The state allows filers to deduct either 40% of capital gains income or $1,000, whichever is greater.

New Mexico capital gains tax rates

Source: New Mexico Taxation & Revenue (2008).
Tax rate Single Married filing jointly or head of household Married filing separately
1.7% $0 to $5,500 $0 to $8,000 $0 to $4,000
3.2% $5,501 to $11,000 $8,001 to $16,000 $4,001 to $8,000
4.7% $11,001 to $16,000 $16,001 to $24,000 $8,001 to $12,000
4.9% $16,001 to $210,000 $24,001 to $315,000 $12,001 to $157,500
5.9% Over $210,000 Over $315,000 Over $157,500

New York

New York taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

New York capital gains tax rates

Data source: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (2024).
Tax rate Single or married filing separately Married filing jointly Head of household
4.00% $0 to $8,500 $0 to $17,150 $0 to $12,800
4.50% $8,501 to $11,700 $17,151 to $23,600 $12,801 to $17,650
5.25% $11,701 to $13,900 $23,601 to $27,900 $17,651 to $20,900
5.85% $13,901 to $80,650 $27,901 to $161,550 $20,901 to $107,650
6.25% $80,651 to $215,400 $161,551 to $323,200 $107,651 to $269,300
6.85% $215,401 to $1,077,550 $323,201 to $2,155,350 $269,301 to $1,616,450
9.65% $1,077,551 to $5,000,000 $2,155,351 to $5,000,000 $1,616,451 to $5,000,000
10.30% $5,000,001 to $25,000,000 $5,000,001 to $25,000,000 $5,000,001 to $25,000,000
10.90% Over $25,000,000 Over $25,000,000 Over $25,000,000

North Carolina

North Carolina taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The North Carolina state income and capital gains tax is a flat rate of 4.5% for the 2024 tax year. It will decrease to 4.25% in 2025 and then to 3.99% for subsequent tax years.

North Dakota

North Dakota taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The state allows filers to deduct 40% of capital gains income.

North Dakota capital gains tax rates

Data source: North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner (2023).
TAX RATE SINGLE MARRIED FILING JOINTLY MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
0.00% $0 to $47,150 $0 to $78,775 $0 to $39,375 $0 to $63,175
1.95% $47,151 to $238,200 $78,776 to $289,975 $39,376 to $144,975 $63,176 to $264,100
2.5% Over $238,200 Over $289,975 Over $144,975 Over $264,100

Ohio

Ohio taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Ohio capital gains tax rates

Data source: Ohio Department of Taxation (2024).
TAX RATE INCOME
0.00% 0 to $26,050
2.75% $26,051 to $100,000
3.50% Over $100,000

Oklahoma

Oklahoma taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. Taxpayers can deduct 100% of their capital gains resulting from

  • the sale of property in Oklahoma that was owned for at least five uninterrupted years; or
  • the sale of stock or ownership interest in an Oklahoma company, limited liability company, or partnership where the stock or ownership interest was held for at least two uninterrupted years.

Oklahoma capital gains tax rates

Data source: Oklahoma Tax Commission (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE OR MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY MARRIED FILING JOINTLY OR HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
0.00% $0 to $6,350 $0 to $12,700
0.25% $6,351 to $7,350 $12,701 to $14,700
0.75% $7,351 to $8,850 $14,701 to $17,700
1.75% $8,851 to $10,100 $17,701 to $20,200
2.75% $10,101 to $11,250 $20,201 to $22,500
3.75% $11,251 to $13,550 $22,501 to $27,100
4.75% Over $13,551 Over $27,100

Oregon

Oregon taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Oregon capital gains tax rates

Data source: Oregon Department of Revenue (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE OR MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY MARRIED FILING JOINTLY OR HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
4.75% $0 to $4,300 $0 to $8,600
6.75% $4,301 to $10,750 $8,601 to $21,500
8.75% $10,751 to $125,000 $21,501 to $250,000
9.90% Over $125,000 Over $250,000

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The Pennsylvania state income and capital gains tax is a flat rate of 3.07%.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Rhode Island capital gains tax rates

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Revenue (2024).
TAX RATE INCOME
3.75% $0 to $77,450
4.75% $77,451 to $176,050
5.99% Over $176,050

South Carolina

South Carolina taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. On long-term capital gains, taxpayers are allowed a deduction of 44%.

South Carolina capital gains tax rates

Data source: South Carolina Department of Revenue (2024).
TAX RATE INCOME
0% $0 to $3,459
3% $3,460 to $17,329
6.2% $17,330 and up

South Dakota

South Dakota does not tax personal income or capital gains.

Tennessee

Tennessee does not tax personal income or capital gains.

Texas

Texas does not tax personal income or capital gains.

Utah

Utah taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. The Utah state income and capital gains tax is a flat rate of 4.55%.

Vermont

Vermont taxes short-term capital gains and long-term capital gains held for up to three years as income, and these are all taxed at the same rates. Taxpayers are allowed to exclude up to 40% of capital gains or a flat exclusion of $5,000 on assets held longer than three years. This exclusion amount is capped at $350,000 and cannot exceed 40% of federal taxable income.

Vermont capital gains tax rates

Data source: Vermont Department of Taxes (2023).
TAX RATE SINGLE MARRIED FILING JOINTLY MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
3.35% $0 to $45,400 $0 to $75,000 $0 to $37,925 $0 to $60,850
6.60% $45,401 to $110,050 $75,001 to $183,400 $37,926 to $91,700 $60,851 to $157,150
7.60% $110,051 to $229,550 $183,401 to $279,450 $91,701 to $139,725 $157,151 to $254,500
8.75% Over $229,550 Over $279,450 Over $139,725 Over $254,500

Virginia

Virginia taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

Virginia capital gains tax rates

Data source: Virginia Department of Taxation (2023).
TAX RATE INCOME
2.00% $0 to $3,000
$60 + 3.00% in bracket $3,001 to $5,000
$120 + 5.00% in bracket $5,001 to $17,000
$720 + 5.75% in bracket Over $17,000

Washington

Washington imposes a 7% tax on long-term capital gains above $262,000.

West Virginia

West Virginia taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates.

West Virginia capital gains tax rates

Data source: West Virginia State Tax Department (2024).
Tax Rate Single Married filing separately
2.36% $0 to $10,000 $0 to $5,000
3.15% $10,001 to $25,000 $5,001 to $12,500
3.54% $25,001 to $40,000 $12,501 to $20,000
4.72% $40,001 to $60,000 $20,001 to $30,000
5.12% Over $60,000 Over $30,000

Wisconsin

Wisconsin taxes capital gains as income, and both are taxed at the same rates. On long-term capital gains, taxpayers are allowed a deduction of 30%, or 60% if the capital gain resulted from the sale of farm assets.

Wisconsin capital gains tax rates

Data source: Wisconsin Department of Revenue (2024).
TAX RATE SINGLE OR HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD MARRIED FILING JOINTLY MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY
3.50% $0 to $14,320 $0 to $19,090 $0 to $9,550
4.40% $14,321 to $28,640 $19,091 to $38,190 $9,551 to $19,090
5.30% $28,641 to $315,310 $38,191 to $420,420 $19,091 to $210,210
7.65% Over $315,310 Over $420,420 Over $210,210

Wyoming

Wyoming does not tax personal income or capital gains.

States play a major role in capital gains taxes

The lion's share of taxes, including personal income and capital gains taxes, go to the federal government. But each taxpayer's state also determines how much they owe on their capital gains. It's important for taxpayers to know the capital gains tax brackets and exclusions in their respective states so they pay the correct amount.

FAQs

Capital gains FAQs

What are capital gains?

angle-down angle-up

According to the IRS, "Almost everything you own and use for personal or investment purposes is a capital asset. Examples include a home, personal-use items like household furnishings, and stocks or bonds held as investments. When you sell a capital asset, the difference between the adjusted basis in the asset and the amount you realized from the sale is a capital gain or a capital loss."

What are unrealized capital gains?

angle-down angle-up

Most of the time, when someone mentions a capital gain, they're talking about a realized capital gain -- this happens when you sell an asset and make a profit. An unrealized capital gain is what you have when an asset's value has gone up but you haven't yet sold it. If you buy a stock for $100 and the value goes up to $150, you have an unrealized capital gain of $50. If you sell it, you'll then have a realized capital gain of $50.

Importantly, unrealized capital gains are not taxed.

Who pay capital gains tax?

angle-down angle-up

In general, anyone who has sold a capital asset and made a capital gain has to pay tax on the gain. There are some exceptions, such as selling your primary home or finding ways to defer capital gains tax, but almost every capital gain will eventually be taxed.

When do you pay capital gains tax?

angle-down angle-up

Usually, capital gains are reported on your next tax return, and taxes are paid at the same time as your standard income tax for the year. However, if you have a large capital gain, it may be worth speaking with a tax advisor to determine if you should make an estimated tax payment while you still have the proceeds in your bank account.

Sources

Lyle Daly has positions in Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple and Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.