Investing

Capital Gains Tax Brackets for 2026: 0%, 15%, and 20% Rates

LTCG brackets for all filing statuses, plus short-term vs long-term distinction and NIIT.

The $250,000/$500,000 Home Sale Exclusion Explained

IRC 121: own + live in your home 2 of 5 years to exclude gains. Rules and partial exclusion.

Capital Gains on Inherited Property: The Step-Up in Basis

Basis steps up to FMV at death. You owe tax only on gains after you inherit.

Tax-Loss Harvesting and the Wash Sale Rule

Sell losers to offset winners. The 30-day wash sale rule and the $3,000 ordinary income deduction.

Missouri's Capital Gains Exemption: The First State to Go to 0%

Missouri fully exempts individual capital gains from state tax (HB 594, effective 2025).

Washington's Capital Gains Excise Tax: Rates, Exemption, and Surcharge

No income tax on wages but 7%/9.9% excise on LTCG above the exemption threshold.

The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax: Who Pays It

3.8% on the lesser of NII or MAGI excess over $200K/$250K/$125K. Stacks on CG rates.

How to Reduce Capital Gains Tax: Legal Strategies

8 strategies: hold 1+ year, home sale exclusion, tax-loss harvesting, 0% bracket, and more.