It’s a great feeling to make money from your investments. The only downside is the capital gains tax you have to pay on your gains when you sell.

Each year, capital gains tax brackets are adjusted slightly to account for inflation – but they can still take some of your profits. For 2025, “taxable income for singles could be $48,350, or $96,700 for married couples filing jointly, and still pay 0% capital gains tax,” he said. CNBC. However, a 15% capital gains tax applies to single applicants earning $48,351 to $533,400 ($96,701 to $600,050 for those married jointly). Single filers earning $533,401 or more ($600,051 or more for married filers filing jointly) will pay a 20% tax.