Net P/L
-$49,972.00
Return
-99.94%
How it works
The Stock Profit and Loss Calculator computes the total gain or loss, percentage return, annualized return (CAGR), and tax impact of a stock position — given the buy price, sell price, number of shares, commissions, and holding period. Handles both long and short positions.
Before closing a stock position, knowing the exact numbers — net profit after commissions, percentage return, how it compares to the S&P 500 over the same period, and the approximate tax bill — is essential for making informed decisions. This calculator provides all of those figures.
How to use it: enter the buy price per share, number of shares, buy commission, sell price per share, and sell commission. Enter the purchase and sale dates (for CAGR and tax treatment determination). The calculator returns: - Gross profit/loss = (sell price − buy price) × shares - Net profit/loss = gross profit − total commissions - Return % = net profit / total cost × 100 - Annualized return (CAGR) - S&P 500 return for the same period (for comparison) - Tax estimate (short-term vs. long-term capital gains, based on holding period)
Short-term vs. long-term: positions held under 12 months are taxed as ordinary income (up to 37% federal). Positions held over 12 months qualify for long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income). The calculator shows the after-tax profit for both scenarios.
Multiple lots: add multiple purchase lots (different buy dates and prices) for a complete position analysis across multiple buys.
Privacy: all calculations run in the browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The wash sale rule disallows a tax loss deduction if you buy substantially identical securities within 30 days before or after selling at a loss. If you sell a stock for a $2,000 loss on December 20 and repurchase the same stock on January 5, the loss is disallowed (deferred, added to the new position's cost basis). The calculator flags potential wash sale scenarios based on your dates.
- When you've bought shares at multiple prices, the IRS allows several cost basis methods: FIFO (first in, first out — oldest shares sold first), LIFO (last in, first out), Specific Identification (choose which shares to sell), and Average Cost (for mutual funds). Specific Identification is most flexible and can minimize taxes. The calculator supports all methods.
- Realized gains: you've actually sold the asset — taxes are owed in that tax year. Unrealized gains: the asset has increased in value but you haven't sold — no tax is owed until you sell. The calculator computes your realized gain/loss upon sale. Unrealized gains can grow indefinitely without triggering a tax event.
- A stock split increases the number of shares and decreases the price per share proportionally. Your total investment value doesn't change, but your cost basis per share decreases. After a 2:1 split, your per-share cost basis is halved. Enter the adjusted post-split number of shares and per-share cost basis in the calculator.