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RealEstateTools

Uniform worksheet · Moving & Selling

Form RET-405 · Effective August 2026 · Borrower’s copy

Capital Gains Tax Estimator

Estimate capital gains tax on your home or investment property sale.

Sale Details

$
$
$

Property Type

Tax Info

Capital Gain

$0

Tax Owed

$0

Breakdown

Sale Price$0
Cost Basis$0
Exclusion (if primary)$0
Taxable Gain$0
Tax Owed$0

How to Use This Capital Gains Tax Estimator

See Methodology

Our free capital gains tax estimator calculates the tax implications of selling your home or investment property. Understand your potential tax liability before you sell.

For primary residences, you can exclude up to $250K ($500K married) in profit from capital gains tax if you lived there 2 of the last 5 years. This exclusion covers most home sales.

For investment properties, full capital gains tax applies. Use our calculator to estimate your tax bill and explore strategies like 1031 exchanges to defer or reduce taxes.

Related Topics

capital gains tax calculator ·home sale tax calculator ·capital gains tax on home sale ·250k exclusion calculator ·home sale tax exclusion ·

Frequently Asked Questions about Capital Gains Tax on Home Sales

  • Do I have to pay capital gains tax when I sell my home?

    Primary residence: No, if you lived there 2 of the last 5 years (up to $250K/$500K exclusion). Investment property: Yes, full capital gains tax applies unless you do a 1031 exchange.

  • What is the $250,000 capital gains exclusion?

    Single filers can exclude up to $250K in profit, married filing jointly up to $500K. You must have owned and lived in the home for 2 of the last 5 years.

  • How do I calculate capital gains on a home sale?

    Capital Gain = Sale Price - Purchase Price - Improvements - Selling Costs. If you bought for $200K, sold for $350K, spent $20K on improvements, your gain is $130K (within the $250K exclusion).

  • What is the capital gains tax rate?

    Short-term (owned <1 year): ordinary income rates (10-37%). Long-term (owned >1 year): 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income. Plus 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax for high earners.

  • Can I avoid capital gains on an investment property?

    Yes, through a 1031 exchange (deferral), converting to primary residence (partial exclusion), or installment sale (spreading gains over time). Consult a tax professional for your situation.

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