How much can I earn before capital gains tax?
Christopher Ramos
Updated on March 13, 2026
2020 capital gains tax rates
| Long-term capital gains tax rate | Your income |
|---|---|
| 0% | $0 to $40,000 |
| 15% | $40,001 to $248,300 |
| 20% | $248,301 or more |
| Short-term capital gains are taxed as ordinary income according to federal income tax brackets. |
Are capital gains taxed more than earned income?
The most important thing to understand is that long-term realized capital gains are subject to a substantially lower tax rate than ordinary income. This means that investors have a big incentive to hold appreciated assets for at least a year and a day, qualifying them as long-term and for the preferential rate.
What are the tax rates on Long Term Capital Gains?
The U.S. tax system is progressive with rates ranging from 10% to 37% of a filer’s yearly income. Rates rise as income rises. Short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income on assets held for one year or less. Long-term capital gains are given preferential rates of 0%, 15% or 20%, depending on your income level.
How are capital gains taxed for high income earners?
Capital gains rates jump to 20% for those with income above the $441,451 mark In addition to each of these three rates, a surcharge tax of 3.8% is applied for those single filers earning above $200,000 or for joint filers earning above $250,000
What is the capital gains tax rate for 2020?
This chart shows the long-term capital gains tax rates for 2020. The 0% tax rate on capital gains applies to married taxpayers who file joint returns with taxable incomes up to $80,000, and to single tax filers with taxable incomes up to $40,000 as of 2020. 3
When do you not have to pay capital gains tax?
The gain is not taxed when it occurs in a year where you are in the 0% capital gains tax bracket. The chart below shows the long-term capital gains tax rates for 2019.
