What are the 2025 long-term capital gains tax rates?

Updated for tax year 2025 (filed in 2026) · IRS-sourced

For tax year 2025, long-term capital gains and qualified dividends are taxed at special federal rates instead of the regular ordinary income tax brackets. The rate you pay is generally 0%, 15%, or 20%, based on your taxable income and filing status.

2025 long-term capital gains rates by filing status

For tax year 2025, long-term capital gains are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20%. In general, gains held more than one year qualify for these rates.

Your rate depends on taxable income, not just the amount of the gain by itself. Qualified dividends use these same federal tax rate thresholds for 2025.

How the 2025 capital gains rate is determined

The IRS applies these thresholds using your taxable income for the year. That means your long-term capital gain may fall partly into one rate band and partly into another, depending on your total taxable income.

The IRS also explains that regular income tax rates do not apply to net capital gain. Instead, net capital gain is taxed at these lower maximum rates.

Net capital gain generally means the amount by which your net long-term capital gain exceeds your net short-term capital loss.

Extra tax that may apply in 2025

Some higher-income taxpayers may also owe the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax, or NIIT, on top of the regular long-term capital gains rate. Based on the IRS source chunk provided, this can apply when income is above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married filing jointly.

That means a taxpayer could pay more than just the 0%, 15%, or 20% capital gains rate. Whether NIIT applies depends on your overall income and investment income.

Important 2025 source note

For tax year 2025, the long-term capital gains thresholds come from Rev. Proc. 2024-40. One later revenue procedure, Rev. Proc. 2025-32, includes capital gains figures for taxable years beginning in 2026, not 2025.

So if you are filing a 2025 federal return in 2026, use the 2025 thresholds: $48,350 single, $96,700 married filing jointly, $64,750 head of household, and $48,350 married filing separately for the 0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the long-term capital gains tax rates for 2025?

For tax year 2025, the federal long-term capital gains tax rates are 0%, 15%, and 20%, according to Rev. Proc. 2024-40, section 3, .03.

What is the 0% capital gains threshold for single filers in 2025?

For 2025, a single filer qualifies for the 0% long-term capital gains rate up to $48,350 of taxable income under Rev. Proc. 2024-40.

What is the 0% capital gains threshold for married filing jointly in 2025?

For 2025, the 0% long-term capital gains threshold for married filing jointly is up to $96,700 of taxable income under Rev. Proc. 2024-40.

Does the 15% capital gains rate apply to most taxpayers in 2025?

Often, yes. For 2025, the 15% rate applies after the 0% threshold and up to $533,400 for single filers and $600,050 for married filing jointly, per Rev. Proc. 2024-40.

When does the 20% long-term capital gains rate apply in 2025?

For 2025, the 20% rate applies to taxable income above the 15% thresholds: over $533,400 single, over $600,050 married filing jointly, over $566,700 head of household, and over $300,025 married filing separately, based on Rev. Proc. 2024-40.

Can I owe NIIT on top of the 2025 capital gains tax rate?

Yes. The IRS source chunk provided notes that the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax may also apply above $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married filing jointly.