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The Global Insight

What is the rate for capital gains on a rental property?

Author

James Olson

Updated on March 15, 2026

So, for 2020, the maximum you could pay for short-term capital gains on rental property is 37%. Long-term capital gains tax rates are set at 0%, 15% and 20%, based on your income.

When do you defer capital gains on a rental property?

Section 1031 of the tax code allows you to defer your taxes on the capital game, with some conditions: The deferral of capital gains taxes will occur after selling a rental property. Then, the seller can purchase a like-kind property.

How much can you sell your home without paying capital gains tax?

When you sell your primary residence, $250,000 of capital gains (or $500,000 for a couple) are exempted from capital gains taxation. This is generally true only if you have owned and used your home as your main residence for at least two out of the five years prior to the sale.

What is the long term capital gains tax rate for 2018?

For 2018, the long-term capital gains tax rate is 15% if you are married filing jointly with taxable income between $77,201 and $479,000. If your income is $479,001 or more, the capital gains rate is 20%.

What’s the tax rate on selling a rental property?

Tax Rate: The tax rate can vary from 0% to 39.6% depending on two factors – Your income bracket and whether it is considered as a short or long term capital gains. Short Term Capital Gains: Selling rental property for profits after owning it for less than one year. This is the same rate as ordinary income tax.

How are capital gains taxed short term or long term?

If you need to calculate your capital gains tax, you’ll first determine your tax rate. This rate differs if you have a short-term capital gains tax or a long-term capital gains tax. Short-term capital gains tax rates are based on the normal income tax rate.

How is capital gains tax worked out when you sell a property?

First, the profit that has been made when you sell the property and secondly, the rates at which your property is charged CGT. Capital Gains Tax is worked out by HMRC using the personal income of the seller, adding your taxable gains to your income to see which Income Tax band you fall into for the year in which your property has been sold.