Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Get a rough estimate of what you might owe in federal capital gains tax when you sell vacant or inherited land. This won't replace a CPA, but it'll give you a real ballpark before you sell.

Taxable Gain

$0

sale price minus basis and selling expenses

Estimated Tax Owed

$0

at your entered rate

This is a federal estimate only and does not include state capital gains tax, which varies widely and may apply on top of this. This is not tax advice — confirm your actual liability with a CPA before you sell. See our full capital gains tax guide for how each of these numbers works.


How This Is Calculated

Taxable gain = sale price − cost basis − selling expenses. If you check "I inherited this land," your basis should be the property's fair market value on the date you inherited it (the stepped-up basis), not what the original owner paid — which is usually the single biggest factor in lowering the tax owed on inherited land.

Long-term gains (held over a year) are taxed at the federal long-term capital gains rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income, at your regular federal tax bracket, which can be significantly higher.


A Quick Disclaimer

This tool is for rough planning purposes only. It doesn't account for state taxes, the Net Investment Income Tax, or your full personal tax situation — all of which can change the real number. Talk to a CPA before making any decisions based on this estimate.