New Rules on Capital Gains
Rates didn’t change, but they’re pegged to your income instead of your tax bracket.


What are the long-term capital gains rates under the new tax law? - C.C., Williamsburg, Va.
The rates didn’t change, but they’re pegged to your income instead of your tax bracket. For 2018, you’ll pay 0% on long-term capital gains (investments held longer than a year) if your taxable income is below $38,600 for single filers, $51,700 for heads of household or $77,200 for joint filers. You’ll pay the 15% rate for taxable income up to $425,800 for singles, $452,400 for heads of household or $479,000 for joint filers. Above those income levels, the rate is 20%. You may owe state taxes, too, and high earners may also have a 3.8% net investment income tax, says Mark Luscombe of Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting.

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As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.
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