What is the long-term capital gains tax? Here are the rates for 2025-2026
Certain windfalls and profits are considered capital gains. Here’s how to determine what you’ll owe.
Andrea Coombes, an editor at Bankrate, translates complex personal finance topics into understandable language that helps people live their best financial lives. She’s a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and over the past 25 years has worked as a financial coach, personal finance writer and editor, and volunteer tax preparer.
Her work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, MarketWatch and many newspapers nationwide. She's been interviewed on local and national TV and radio, including NPR's All Things Considered, CBS News, NASDAQ and Marketplace.
Andrea has moderated panels on how to invest for retirement, how to use 529 college savings plans and more, and she's an experienced personal-finance speaker who has presented to groups on a variety of topics such as how to budget, improve credit, manage debt, and build savings. She's also worked as a personal financial coach and certified consumer credit counselor, helping people reach their goals. For two tax seasons, she worked as a volunteer tax preparer.
A lot of people are nervous about managing their money. I'm here to say: It's not rocket science. There are small steps each of us can take to slowly start moving towards our long-term financial goals. We can do this, people.
— Andrea Coombes, CFP®
Certain windfalls and profits are considered capital gains. Here’s how to determine what you’ll owe.
It may take a lot of work on the front end to reap the benefits of these opportunities.
When it comes to your retirement, focus on building a portfolio of diverse investments that have a strong likelihood to grow over the long term.
With interest rates somewhat volatile, it’s important to shop around for the best money market mutual funds.
With literally thousands of ETFs to choose from, where does an investor start? Below are some of the best ETFs by category, including some highly specialized funds.
Can’t stand losing money? These play-it-safe investments may be a good fit for at least part of your portfolio.
Paying attention to short-term capital gains tax rates can help you save money in the long run.
Sold an investment? The IRS wants a Schedule D.
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