Measure harvested losses and estimated tax benefits. Test brackets, limits, and carryforwards before rebalancing decisions. Make smarter portfolio moves with cleaner year-end tax planning.
| Scenario | Cost Basis | Current Value | Holding | Other ST Gains | Other LT Gains | Estimated Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample A | $18,000 | $13,250 | Long-term | $2,500 | $7,200 | ~$1,100 to $1,400* |
| Sample B | $9,600 | $7,950 | Short-term | $4,800 | $0 | Higher impact at ordinary rates* |
| Sample C | $12,400 | $12,900 | Long-term | $0 | $1,500 | Possible tax increase (gain realized) |
This calculator estimates tax impact by comparing your capital activity before and after a potential harvest transaction.
Selected Lot Value = Current Market Value × (Harvest % ÷ 100) Selected Lot Cost Basis = Total Cost Basis × (Harvest % ÷ 100) Sale Result After Costs = Selected Lot Value − Transaction Cost − Selected Lot Cost Basis Net Short-Term = Other ST Gains − Other ST Losses (+ recognized sale result if short-term) Net Long-Term = Other LT Gains − Other LT Losses (+ recognized sale result if long-term) Estimated Total Savings = Tax Impact Before Harvest − Tax Impact After HarvestCapital losses offset capital gains first. Remaining net capital loss may offset ordinary income up to your deduction limit, with the remainder carried forward.
This tool is for planning and educational estimates. Tax rules vary by jurisdiction and personal circumstances, so confirm with a qualified tax advisor.
Tax-loss harvesting is most useful when investors review positions with unrealized declines before year-end. This calculator combines lot values, rates, and realized gains into one planning estimate. It shows whether selling a losing position may reduce current taxes, create carryforward losses, or simply shift deductions forward. Used regularly, it strengthens discipline in taxable accounts and connects portfolio maintenance decisions to measurable after-tax outcomes for ongoing portfolio planning. It clarifies trade-offs between tax relief and liquidity.
Key inputs drive the estimate in different ways. Cost basis, current value, harvest percentage, and holding period determine the recognized gain or loss. Other short-term and long-term gains matter because harvested losses offset these amounts first. Ordinary, long-term, and state tax rates convert offsets into estimated dollars. Transaction costs and the annual deduction limit also influence immediate benefit and carryforward amounts. Small input changes can materially shift the result.
Estimated savings equals tax impact before harvesting minus tax impact after harvesting. Positive values usually mean the realized loss offset taxable gains or increased deductible losses. Negative values can appear when the selected sale produces a gain after costs, or changes offset ordering unfavorably. The effective savings rate helps compare scenarios by showing tax benefit per recognized loss dollar, making partial-sale decisions easier across several positions. This supports ranking across competing loss lots.
Wash sale rules can delay recognition when the same or substantially identical security is repurchased too quickly. This calculator flags likely timing issues and removes immediate loss benefit in the estimate to keep projections conservative. That warning supports better replacement planning. Investors often choose similar exposures to maintain market participation while respecting timing rules and documenting the decision process for cleaner compliance records. Timing discipline matters during volatile rebalancing periods.
Year-end planning improves when outputs are saved and compared across multiple scenarios. The CSV and PDF exports support advisor reviews, internal notes, and personal records. A practical workflow is testing full and partial sales, comparing short-term versus long-term impact, and ranking positions by expected tax efficiency. Repeat the analysis after major trades because gains, losses, and deduction capacity change throughout the year and affect harvesting priorities. Updated exports strengthen advisor discussion documentation quality.
It estimates how a potential sale at a loss may change federal and state tax impact by offsetting gains, applying deduction limits, and tracking carryforward losses under your entered assumptions.
No. It is a planning tool for scenario testing. Final tax treatment depends on jurisdiction, filing status, lot identification method, wash sale facts, and your complete return data.
Negative savings usually appear when the selected sale produces a gain after costs, or when a harvest changes offset ordering in a way that reduces current benefits compared with your baseline scenario.
Use it to test partial sales. Try multiple percentages to compare recognized losses, savings rates, and carryforward outcomes before deciding whether to sell a full position or only part.
It warns that repurchasing the same security too quickly may defer loss recognition. The calculator removes immediate loss benefit in that scenario so your estimate remains conservative.
Export after comparing several scenarios. Saved reports help you review assumptions with an advisor, document decisions, and keep a planning trail for year-end portfolio management.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.