US federal long-term capital gains tax thresholds for 2026
Understand the 2026 federal taxable-income thresholds for long-term capital gains. Special asset rules, state taxes and individual liability are outside scope.
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- Single: maximum 0% / 15% taxable income
- $49,450 / $545,500IRS, Revenue Procedure 2025-32
- Joint or surviving spouse: maximum 0% / 15%
- $98,900 / $613,700IRS, Revenue Procedure 2025-32
- Married filing separately: maximum 0% / 15%
- $49,450 / $306,850IRS, Revenue Procedure 2025-32
- Head of household: maximum 0% / 15%
- $66,200 / $579,600IRS, Revenue Procedure 2025-32
Long-term gains and taxable income
Generally, a gain on an asset held for more than one year is long-term. The usual federal net-capital-gain rates are 0%, 15% and 20%, depending on overall taxable income. These thresholds refer to taxable income, rather than gross wages or sale proceeds. Short-term net gains are generally taxed as ordinary income. IRS, capital gains and losses (opens in a new tab).
Published 2026 thresholds
For taxable years beginning in 2026, Revenue Procedure 2025-32 lists the maximum zero-rate and maximum 15% amounts respectively: $49,450 and $545,500 for single filers; $98,900 and $613,700 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses; $49,450 and $306,850 for married filing separately; and $66,200 and $579,600 for heads of household. Congress legislates the framework; the IRS publishes these inflation-adjusted amounts. IRS, Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (opens in a new tab).
Rates apply to portions, with exceptions
The 20% rate applies to the extent taxable income exceeds the maximum 15% threshold; crossing a threshold does not make all gains taxable at the higher rate. Collectibles, certain small-business stock and unrecaptured real-property gains have special treatment. Net investment income tax, loss netting, exclusions and state or local taxes are outside this overview. No individual capital-gains liability is calculated here. IRS, capital gains and losses (opens in a new tab).