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The Daily Insight

What is the difference between capital gains and net capital gains?

Author

Emma Jordan

Published Mar 25, 2026

If you have a net capital gain, a lower tax rate may apply to the gain than the tax rate that applies to your ordinary income. The term “net capital gain” means the amount by which your net long-term capital gain for the year is more than your net short-term capital loss for the year.

How is net capital gains calculated?

To calculate your capital gains or losses on a particular trade, subtract your basis from your net proceeds. The net proceeds equal the amount you received after paying any expenses of the sale. If your basis for the stock is $3,012, subtract $3,012 from $3,612 to find you have a capital gain of $600.

Does Obamacare tax apply to capital gains?

The net investment income tax (NIIT) is a 3.8% tax on investment income such as capital gains, dividends, and rental property income. This tax only applies to high-income taxpayers, such as single filers who make more than $200,000 and married couples who make more than $250,000, as well as certain estates and trusts.

How is the long term capital gain calculated?

Long term capital gain on equity share is calculated by deducting the sale price and cost of acquisition of an asset that has been held for more than 12 months by an investor. This is given by the net profit that investors earn while selling the asset. However, this span of 12 months is considered only in case of listed equity shares.

When do you get a capital gain on an asset?

The price of assets fluctuates according to their performance in the market. If investors end up selling this asset at a higher price than that at which he or she had purchased it, the profit is known as capital gain on equity shares.

What are the two types of capital gains in India?

There are two types of capital gains – short-term and long-term. Short-Term Capital Gains: As per the Income Tax laws of India, if an investor holds an immovable asset for less than 36 months before selling it, it would be considered a short-term capital gain. But this is not applicable to stocks and bonds.

How to calculate capital gains on share sale?

Let us assume that Mr Y bought 200 shares of a listed company in October 2016 at the rate of Rs. 150 per share, thus paying a total amount of Rs. 30,000. Next, he sold the shares for Rs, 180 per share on March 2017, after a period of 5 months, at a total of Rs. 45,000.