Vermont Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2026

Vermont Capital Gains Tax Rules

Vermont taxes capital gains as ordinary income at 2026 rates from 3.35% to 8.75%, after a capital gains exclusion (Schedule IN-153). You may exclude up to $5,000 of net long-term gain, or instead 40% of the gain on assets held more than three years — but the 40% exclusion is not available for a home, for publicly traded stocks or bonds, or for most depreciable personal property. Either exclusion is limited to $350,000 and to 40% of federal taxable income. This state tax is separate from — and in addition to — the federal capital gains tax you owe to the IRS.

Understanding Vermont's capital gains rules is essential for investors, homeowners selling property, and business owners who plan to sell assets. The calculator above computes your estimated federal and Vermont state capital gains tax based on your sale price, cost basis, holding period, and income. It subtracts the 2026 federal standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household) from the income you enter, stacks the gain on top of your other income, and taxes each slice at its own rate.

Federal vs Vermont Capital Gains Tax

The federal tax on a gain depends on your taxable income and on how long you held the asset. For long-term gains (held more than 12 months), the 2026 federal rates set by IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 are 0% on taxable income up to $49,450 single / $98,900 married filing jointly / $66,200 head of household, 15% up to $545,500 single / $613,700 joint / $579,600 head of household, and 20% above those thresholds. The gain is stacked on top of your other income, so one sale can be taxed partly at 0%, partly at 15% and partly at 20%. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income at the 2026 federal brackets of 10% to 37%. A 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax is added on the lesser of the gain or the amount by which your modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 (single or head of household) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).

Worked example (2026): a single filer with $90,000 of other income sells stock held for two years at a $50,000 gain. Federal tax is $7,500 (the whole gain falls in the 15% band) and Vermont tax is $2,970, a combined $10,470 or 20.9% of the gain. Sold after 11 months instead, the same gain is short-term: $11,364 federal plus $3,341 Vermont tax, $14,705 in total. The calculator above reproduces both results.

Vermont Cap Gains Strategies & Exemptions

Several strategies can help Vermont taxpayers reduce their capital gains tax burden. First, hold assets for more than 12 months to qualify for the lower long-term federal rate. Second, harvest capital losses to offset gains — if you have losing positions, selling them in the same tax year can reduce your net taxable gain. Third, use tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA, HSA) to shelter future investment growth from both federal and Vermont state tax.

For Vermont homeowners, the federal home-sale exclusion allows you to exclude up to $250,000 (single) or $500,000 (married filing jointly) of gain from the sale of a primary residence, provided you meet the 2-of-5-year ownership and use tests. The calculator does not apply this exclusion, so enter only the gain that remains after it. Consult a Vermont tax professional to understand which exclusions apply to your specific situation.

Always work with a qualified tax professional before executing large asset sales. Tax laws change, and individual circumstances — such as installment sales, like-kind exchanges (1031 exchanges for real estate), or business asset sales — can significantly affect your total tax liability.

Last updated: October 2026. Federal figures: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 capital gains thresholds, brackets and standard deduction), IRS Topic 409 and IRS Topic 559 (Net Investment Income Tax). Vermont: Vermont Schedule IN-153 instructions (2025).