2025 Capital Gains Tax Rate
For 2025, the Capital Gains Tax Rate is $96,700 (Top of the 0% bracket, joint filers), $600,050 (Top of the 15% bracket, joint filers), $48,350 (Top of the 0% bracket, married filing separately) and 9 more figures below.
| Item | Rate | Joint filers | Married filing separately | Heads of household | Single filers | Estates and trusts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top of the 0% bracket | - | $96,700 | $48,350 | $64,750 | $48,350 | $3,250 |
| Top of the 15% bracket | 15% | $600,050 | $300,000 | $566,700 | $533,400 | $15,900 |
| Rate above the 15% bracket | 20% | - | - | - | - | - |
A dash is a figure this site has not published for that row, not an amount of zero.
Effective 2025-01-01Source: Rev. Proc. 2024-40 (IRS)Verified 2026-09-01
Rate above the 15% bracketSource: Publication 550 (2025), Investment Income and Expenses (IRS)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2024
| Item | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top of the 0% bracket, joint filers | $94,050 | $96,700 | +$2,650 (+2.8%) |
| Top of the 15% bracket, joint filers | $583,750 | $600,050 | +$16,300 (+2.8%) |
| Top of the 0% bracket, married filing separately | $47,025 | $48,350 | +$1,325 (+2.8%) |
| Top of the 15% bracket, married filing separately | $291,850 | $300,000 | +$8,150 (+2.8%) |
| Top of the 0% bracket, heads of household | $63,000 | $64,750 | +$1,750 (+2.8%) |
| Top of the 15% bracket, heads of household | $551,350 | $566,700 | +$15,350 (+2.8%) |
| Top of the 0% bracket, single filers | $47,025 | $48,350 | +$1,325 (+2.8%) |
| Top of the 15% bracket, single filers | $518,900 | $533,400 | +$14,500 (+2.8%) |
| Top of the 0% bracket, estates and trusts | $3,150 | $3,250 | +$100 (+3.2%) |
| Top of the 15% bracket, estates and trusts | $15,450 | $15,900 | +$450 (+2.9%) |
| Rate above the 0% bracket | 15% | 15% | +0% (+0.0%) |
| Rate above the 15% bracket | 20% | 20% | +0% (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
These amounts apply to individuals, estates and trusts with net capital gain or qualified dividends taxed under § 1(h) and § 1(j) for a taxable year beginning in 2025, and which pair applies depends on filing status. Rev. Proc. 2024-40 lists five statuses: married individuals filing joint returns and surviving spouses, married individuals filing separate returns, heads of household, all other individuals, which is the row a single filer uses, and estates and trusts. All five pairs are published on this page. The first amount in each pair is the maximum zero rate amount, the ceiling below which the long-term rate is zero. The second is the maximum 15% rate amount, the ceiling of the band taxed at 15%. Above that second ceiling a higher rate applies, and Rev. Proc. 2024-40 states no amount for it, so no rate above 15% is published here. Neither figure caps the gain that may be realized; each marks a point at which the rate on further gain changes.
What changed this year, and why
Rev. Proc. 2024-40 states the maximum capital gains rate amounts under § 1(h) and § 1(j) for taxable years beginning in 2025, and gives a pair of amounts for every filing status. The maximum zero rate amount is $96,700 on a joint return or for a surviving spouse, $48,350 for a married individual filing a separate return, $64,750 for a head of household, $48,350 for any other individual, and $3,250 for an estate or trust. The maximum 15% rate amount is $600,050 on a joint return or for a surviving spouse, $300,000 for a married individual filing a separate return, $566,700 for a head of household, $533,400 for any other individual, and $15,900 for an estate or trust. What the revenue procedure adjusts is the amounts themselves, not the rates: the bands are set by the Code and only the income at which each band ends moves with inflation. Against 2024, the zero rate amount for any other individual moved from $47,025 to $48,350 and the 15% rate amount from $518,900 to $533,400; on a joint return the two moved from $94,050 to $96,700 and from $583,750 to $600,050.
Common questions
- What are the 2025 long-term capital gains brackets?
- For taxable years beginning in 2025, Rev. Proc. 2024-40 states a maximum zero rate amount of $96,700 on a joint return or for a surviving spouse, $48,350 for a married individual filing a separate return, $64,750 for a head of household, $48,350 for any other individual, and $3,250 for an estate or trust. The maximum 15% rate amount is $600,050 on a joint return or for a surviving spouse, $300,000 for a married individual filing a separate return, $566,700 for a head of household, $533,400 for any other individual, and $15,900 for an estate or trust. Gain below the first amount for your status is taxed at the zero rate, gain between the two at 15%.
- How much can a single filer make before paying capital gains tax in 2025?
- The maximum zero rate amount for all other individuals, the row that covers single filers, is $48,350 for taxable years beginning in 2025. It is the ceiling of the zero rate band, not an exemption and not a cap on gains. Gain that carries the total above $48,350 falls in the next band, which runs to $533,400.
- What is the 2025 capital gains zero rate amount for married couples filing jointly?
- It is $96,700 for taxable years beginning in 2025, the maximum zero rate amount Rev. Proc. 2024-40 states for married individuals filing joint returns and surviving spouses. The same row gives $600,050 as the maximum 15% rate amount. A couple filing separately is a different row, at $48,350 and $300,000.
- What are the 2025 capital gains thresholds for a head of household?
- Rev. Proc. 2024-40 states $64,750 as the maximum zero rate amount for an individual who is a head of household for taxable years beginning in 2025, and $566,700 as the maximum 15% rate amount. Both are separate from the amounts for a single filer, which are $48,350 and $533,400.
- Do estates and trusts have their own capital gains thresholds in 2025?
- Yes, and they are far lower than an individual’s. For taxable years beginning in 2025 the maximum zero rate amount for an estate or trust is $3,250 and the maximum 15% rate amount is $15,900. An estate or trust reaches the higher band on much less income than an individual does.
- What rate applies above the 15% band in 2025?
- A higher one, and this page does not state it. Rev. Proc. 2024-40 sets the inflation-adjusted amounts at which the bands end and states no rate above 15%, so publishing one here would go beyond what the document says. The amounts above are the points at which the rate on further gain changes for a taxable year beginning in 2025.
- Which tax year do the 2025 capital gains amounts apply to?
- Taxable years beginning in 2025. A taxpayer whose taxable year is not the calendar year uses these amounts for the taxable year that begins in 2025, so Rev. Proc. 2024-40 applies to that year rather than to the year a return is filed in.
Every amount on this page is a published figure rather than yours. The Room left in the 0% capital gains bracket takes the number you enter and works it out against them, showing which published figure it used.
What the lower rates actually apply to
The reduced capital gains rates of 0%, 15%, and 20% apply specifically to your net capital gain. Net capital gain is defined as the amount by which your net long-term capital gain for the year exceeds your net short-term capital loss. The IRS also maintains separate rates of 25% and 28% for certain types of gains such as collectibles and qualified small business stock. The tax treatment depends on your filing status and taxable income. For 2025, the 0% rate applies to joint filers with income up to $96,700, to heads of household with income up to $64,750, to single filers with income up to $48,350, and to married filing separately with income up to $48,350. The 15% rate applies to joint filers with income between $96,700 and $600,050, to heads of household with income between $64,750 and $566,700, to single filers with income between $48,350 and $533,400, and to married filing separately with income between $48,350 and $300,000. Income above these thresholds is taxed at 20%.
The term “net capital gain” means the amount by which your net long-term capital gain for the year is more than your net short-term capital loss. For 2025, the maximum capital gain rates are 0%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 28%.
Publication 550 (2025), Investment Income and Expenses (IRS)
How long you must hold to get the long-term rate
For 2025, the IRS classifies capital gains and losses based on how long you held the investment property before selling or trading it. You begin counting the day after you acquired the property, and the day you disposed of it counts toward the total. If you held the property for more than one year, any resulting gain or loss is treated as long-term. Long-term capital gains qualify for the preferential federal capital gains tax rates of 15% or 20%, depending on your taxable income and filing status, and some taxpayers may pay no tax at all on long-term gains. For example, in 2025, joint filers with taxable income at or below $600,050 pay no more than 15% on long-term gains, while amounts above that threshold are taxed at 20%. If you held the property one year or less, the gain or loss is short-term, and short-term gains are taxed at ordinary income tax rates, which are typically higher than the long-term capital gains rates. Meeting the more-than-one-year holding period is therefore important for qualifying for the lower brackets on the 2025 federal capital gains tax schedule.
If you hold investment prop- erty more than 1 year, any capital gain or loss is a long-term capital gain or loss. If you hold the property 1 year or less, any capital gain or loss is a short-term capital gain or loss.
Publication 550 (2025), Investment Income and Expenses (IRS)
How much of a loss you can deduct in one year
When your capital losses exceed your capital gains for the year, you can claim a capital loss deduction. Your allowable capital loss deduction is the lesser of $3,000 ($1,500 if you are married and file a separate return) or your total net loss as shown on line 16 of Schedule D (Form 1040). You can use your total net loss to reduce your income dollar for dollar, up to the $3,000 limit. If your total net loss exceeds the yearly limit, you can carry over the unused part to the next year and treat it as if you had incurred it in that next year. If part of the loss is still unused, you can continue carrying it over to later years until it is completely used up. When you carry over a loss, it remains classified as long-term or short-term. A long-term capital loss you carry over reduces the next year's long-term capital gains before it reduces short-term capital gains.
Limit on deduction. Your allowable capital loss deduc- tion, figured on Schedule D (Form 1040), is the lesser of: • $3,000 ($1,500 if you are married and file a separate return), or • Your total net loss as shown on line 16 of Schedule D (Form 1040). You can use your total net loss to reduce your income dol- lar for dollar, up to the $3,000 limit.
Publication 550 (2025), Investment Income and Expenses (IRS)
The loss you cannot deduct if you buy back in
You cannot deduct losses from sales or trades of stock or securities in a wash sale unless the loss was incurred in the ordinary course of your business as a dealer in stock or securities. A wash sale occurs when you sell or trade stock or securities at a loss and within 30 days before or after the sale you buy substantially identical stock or securities, acquire substantially identical stock or securities in a fully taxable trade, acquire a contract or option to buy substantially identical stock or securities, or acquire substantially identical stock for your individual retirement arrangement. If your loss was disallowed because of the wash sale rules, you add the disallowed loss to the cost of the new stock or securities, and the result becomes your basis in the new stock or securities. This adjustment postpones the loss deduction until you dispose of the new stock or securities. Your holding period for the new stock or securities includes the holding period of the stock or securities sold.
A wash sale occurs when you sell or trade stock or se- curities at a loss and within 30 days before or after the sale you: 1. Buy substantially identical stock or securities, 2. Acquire substantially identical stock or securities in a fully taxable trade, 3. Acquire a contract or option to buy substantially iden- tical stock or securities, or 4. Acquire substantially identical stock for your individual retirement arrangement (IRA) or Roth IRA.
Publication 550 (2025), Investment Income and Expenses (IRS)
The extra tax on top of the capital gain rate
In addition to the capital gains tax rates, there is a Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) that applies to certain investment income. The NIIT is a 3.8% tax on the lesser of your net investment income or the amount of your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) that is over a threshold amount based on your filing status. For married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse, the threshold is $250,000. For married filing separately, the threshold is $125,000. For single or head of household, the threshold is $200,000. The NIIT applies to income such as interest, dividends, capital gains, rental and royalty income, and non-qualified annuities. It does not apply to income exempt from tax such as municipal bond interest or distributions from qualified retirement plans. You report the NIIT on Form 8960, Net Investment Income Tax - Individuals, Estates, and Trusts. The NIIT is separate from and in addition to the regular capital gains tax rates.
Net investment income tax (NIIT). The NIIT is a 3.8% tax on the lesser of your net investment income or the amount of your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) that is over a threshold amount based on your filing status. Filing Status Threshold Amount Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Surviving Spouse $250,000 Married Filing Separately $125,000 Single or Head of Household $200,000
Publication 550 (2025), Investment Income and Expenses (IRS)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Rev. Proc. 2024-40 (IRS)
- Top of the 0% bracket, joint filers
Married Individuals Filing Joint Returns and Surviving Spouse $96,700
- Top of the 15% bracket, joint filers
Married Individuals Filing Joint Returns and Surviving Spouse $96,700 $600,050
- Top of the 0% bracket, married filing separately
Married Individuals Filing Separate Returns $48,350
- Top of the 15% bracket, married filing separately
Married Individuals Filing Separate Returns $48,350 $300,000
- Top of the 0% bracket, heads of household
Heads of Household $64,750
- Top of the 15% bracket, heads of household
Heads of Household $64,750 $566,700
- Top of the 0% bracket, single filers
All Other Individuals $48,350
- Top of the 15% bracket, single filers
All Other Individuals $48,350 $533,400
- Top of the 0% bracket, estates and trusts
Estates and Trusts $3,250
- Top of the 15% bracket, estates and trusts
Estates and Trusts $3,250 $15,900
- Rate above the 0% bracket
For taxable years beginning in 2025, the maximum zero rate amounts and maximum 15 percent rate amounts under § 1(j)(5)(B), as adjusted for inflation, are as follows:
Publication 550 (2025), Investment Income and Expenses (IRS)
- Rate above the 15% bracket
other gain 1 and the regular tax rate that would apply is 37% your taxable income is... $600,051 or more if married filing jointly or surviving spouse; $566,701 or more if head of household; $300,001 or more if married filing separately; $533,401 or more if single; or $15,901 or more if estate or trust… 20%