Long-term capital gains are taxed at lower rates than the ones imposed on standard income. The maximum tax rate is generally 15% for taxpayers whose top bracket exceeds 15%, and 5% for taxpayers whose top bracket is 10% or 15%.
It would be sufficient to to consider both the type of capital asset sold and the length of time it was held by you as an investment.

At first:

• Take your 1099s that you received from your broker .
• Check last year's 1040 Schedule D.
• Take a copy of a 1040 and the instructions to Form 1040.

Crucial things to remember:

• There are long-term and short-term assets.
• A net short-term gain is subject to regular tax rates..
• Providing you have a net long-term gain in excess of net short-term capital loss, the excess is called a net capital gain and it is this amount to which the favorable capital gain rates apply.
• Let`s imagine that your top tax bracket is 10% or 15%, your capital gain rate is generally 5%. If your top tax bracket is 25%, 28%, 33%, or 35%, your capital gain rate is generally 15%.