A capital gain is the profit you make when you sell an asset for more than you paid for it. It can be applied to a variety of assets, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, or artwork.

Here are the basic steps involved in calculating your capital gain:

1. Gather the cost basis of the asset (the price you paid for it) and the selling price.
2. Subtract the cost basis from the selling price.
3. If the result is a positive number, you have a capital gain. If the result is a negative number, you have a capital loss.

There are some rules that apply to capital gains:

• You can only claim capital gains for assets that you have held for at least one year.
• If you are single, you can claim up to $15,000 in capital gains. If you are married, you can claim up to $20,000 in capital gains.
• If you have any capital losses, you can use them to reduce your capital gains.
• You can defer paying taxes on capital gains if you reinvest them in certain assets.

Here are some examples of capital gains:

• You buy a stock for $10,000 and sell it for $12,000. You have a capital gain of $2,000.
• You buy a painting for $5,000 and sell it for $6,000. You have a capital gain of $1,000.

It is important to remember that capital gains are not the same as ordinary income. Ordinary income is taxed at your marginal rate, while capital gains are taxed at a lower rate. However, there are some exceptions, such as if you are over 65 or have a low income.

If you have any questions about capital gains, you should consult with a tax professional.