California capital gains tax calculator
California taxes capital gains on top of federal tax: up to 13.3% — highest state rate in the US.
Calculate my California taxYour details
Your tax estimate
| Capital gain | $50,000 |
| Federal long-term rate | 15.0% |
| Federal CGT | $7,500 |
| Total federal tax | $7,500 |
| California (13.3%) | $6,650 |
| Total tax | $14,150 |
| Net gain after tax | $35,850 |
Ways to reduce this bill
- Your California state bill of $6,650 is significant. Installment sales and 1031 exchanges (for real estate) can spread or defer this tax.
What you would pay in California
Long-term gains (assets held more than a year) for a single filer with $75,000 of other income:
| Gain | Federal + NIIT | California | Total tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $3,750 | $3,325 | $7,075 (28.3%) | $17,925 |
| $50,000 | $7,500 | $6,650 | $14,150 (28.3%) | $35,850 |
| $100,000 | $15,000 | $13,300 | $28,300 (28.3%) | $71,700 |
| $250,000 | $42,250 | $33,250 | $75,500 (30.2%) | $174,500 |
Short-term vs long-term gains in California
Sell within a year and the federal government taxes the gain as ordinary income. On a $50,000 gain with the same income, that means $17,714 of tax if you sell short-term against $14,150 if you hold past one year, a difference of $3,564.
How we estimate California tax
Up to 13.3% — highest state rate in the US. Where a state taxes gains as ordinary income on a sliding scale, the calculator applies the rate shown above to the whole gain, so for most people it is an upper estimate. Local and city income taxes are not included.
*Examples use 2026 IRS brackets, the standard deduction and the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax. Change your filing status, income and holding period in the calculator above for your own figure.
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