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The Global Insight

What is the tax on capital gains right now?

Author

James Olson

Updated on March 12, 2026

Long-term capital gains tax is a tax applied to assets held for more than a year. The long-term capital gains tax rates are 0 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent, depending on your income. These rates are typically much lower than the ordinary income tax rate.

What is the capital gains percentage for 2020?

2020 capital gains tax rates

Long-term capital gains tax rateYour 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.

Will there be capital gains tax in 2020?

Long Term Capital Gain Brackets for 2020 That means you will likely pay less taxes on long-term capital gains than you would other types of earned income, like your salary. Long-term capital gains are taxed at the rate of 0%, 15% or 20% depending on your taxable income and marital status.

What do you need to know about capital gains tax?

His experience is relevant to both business and personal finance topics. The capital gains tax is a government fee on the profit made from selling certain types of assets. These include stock investments or real estate property. A capital gain is calculated as the total sale price minus the original cost of an asset.

When did capital gains tax come into effect?

Capital Gains Tax was introduced on 1 October 2001. It forms part of normal income tax and is based on the sliding tax tables for individuals. It comes about most often for taxpayers when their home or investment property is sold for a profit (gain) i.e. the proceeds /selling price is more than the “ base cost ”.

How are capital gains taxed on primary residence?

We also need to apply the capital gains inclusion rate of 40% per individual. The taxable gain (as per the calculation above) on the primary residence must be included: Assume that the annual marginal rate of tax on income is 41%, which is applied to the R424 000, then the capital gains tax will be R173 840.

How are capital gains taxed in South Africa?

For reference, marginal tax rates for the 2020 tax year ranged from 18% to 36%, but rates can change over time, so it’s best to check with the SARS for specifics. Proceeds from investments held for more than a year are typically classified as long-term capital gains.