Vermont
5.25%
long-term · rank #33
- Short-term
- 8.75%
- Ordinary top
- 8.75%
Preferential long-term treatment
2026Vermont vs Wisconsin Capital Gains Tax
Vermont has the lower top long-term effective state rate by 0.11%. Compare short- and long-term treatment, worked tax examples, asset rules, residency, and planning considerations.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower top long-term rate
Vermont is lower
5.25% vs 5.36%, a 0.11% difference at the top effective rate.
Side-by-side capital gains tax scoreboard
Wisconsin
5.36%
long-term · rank #35
- Short-term
- 7.65%
- Ordinary top
- 7.65%
Preferential long-term treatment
Capital gains scenario comparison
State tax for a single filer. Federal tax and NIIT are identical between states for the same scenario and are excluded from the difference.
| Scenario | Vermont | Wisconsin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50k long-term gain · $80k other taxable income | $1,980 | $1,855 | $125 |
| $250k long-term gain · $100k other taxable income | $11,116.5 | $9,275 | $1,841.5 |
| $50k short-term gain · $80k other taxable income | $3,305 | $2,650 | $655 |
| $1.5M long-term gain · $150k other taxable income | $77,611.5 | $76,132.36 | $1,479.14 |
$50k long-term gain · $80k other taxable income
Vermont$1,980
Wisconsin$1,855
Difference: $125
$250k long-term gain · $100k other taxable income
Vermont$11,116.5
Wisconsin$9,275
Difference: $1,841.5
$50k short-term gain · $80k other taxable income
Vermont$3,305
Wisconsin$2,650
Difference: $655
$1.5M long-term gain · $150k other taxable income
Vermont$77,611.5
Wisconsin$76,132.36
Difference: $1,479.14
State rules explained
Why Vermont and Wisconsin produce different capital gains tax results
The difference is not simply one flat rate multiplied by the gain. Each state decides whether gains enter ordinary income, qualify for a long-term preference, receive a subtraction, or fall under a separate tax.
Vermont treatment
Up to 40% exclusion for qualifying long-term gains held over three years.
Modeled as a 40% LT exclusion for comparison. Statutory caps and eligible-asset rules apply; assets held three years or less generally lack the exclusion.
- Long-term top
- 5.25%
- Short-term top
- 8.75%
Wisconsin treatment
30% exclusion for net long-term capital gains (60% for farm assets).
Comparison model uses the 30% non-farm exclusion. Remaining gain is taxed under Wisconsin brackets.
- Long-term top
- 5.36%
- Short-term top
- 7.65%
Worked example: a $250,000 long-term gain
The comparison model assumes a single filer with $100,000 of other taxable income. Other income fills federal and state brackets before the gain and helps determine whether NIIT applies.
How the comparison is built
- 1.Begin with the same $250,000 net long-term gain in both states.
- 2.Stack the gain above $100,000 of other taxable income.
- 3.Apply each state's brackets, exclusion, preferential schedule, surcharge, or separate excise-tax rules.
- 4.Compare state tax only. Federal long-term tax and NIIT are equal because the federal assumptions are identical.
State-tax result
- Vermont
- $11,116.5
- Wisconsin
- $9,275
- Modeled difference
- $1,841.5
A different gain, filing status, income level, asset, local tax, or state adjustment can produce a different gap.
When the lower-tax state can change
The top-rate winner is a useful benchmark, not a guarantee for every transaction. Review these factors before concluding that one state always produces the lower bill.
Gain size and other income
Small gains may remain in low or zero brackets, while a large gain can trigger top rates, NIIT, or a state surcharge.
Short-term vs long-term
Short-term top rates are 8.75% in Vermont and 7.65% in Wisconsin. Long-term exclusions may not apply to a short holding period.
Type of asset
Main homes, rental property, collectibles, qualified small-business stock, retirement accounts, and business assets can depart from the general rate table.
State-specific exclusions
Vermont and Wisconsin may impose eligibility limits, holding periods, dollar caps, sourcing rules, or required return adjustments not reflected by a top-rate comparison.
Local income tax
A city or county tax can change the practical result even when statewide rates look similar. Confirm the taxpayer's exact locality.
Losses and carryforwards
Federal and state loss offsets can reduce the taxable gain. States may not follow every federal carryforward or adjustment in the same way.
Moving between Vermont and Wisconsin before a sale
Capital gains tax is generally tied to residency when the gain is realized, but changing an address is not enough by itself. A state can examine domicile, days present, home ownership, family and business ties, and where tangible property is located.
Questions to resolve before moving
- On what date will the sale or exchange be legally completed?
- When does the old domicile end and the new domicile begin?
- Is the asset intangible property, real estate, or tangible property with state-source rules?
- Will either state treat the taxpayer as a statutory resident or part-year resident?
- Does an installment sale create income after the move?
Avoid a paper-only move
States can audit high-value transactions and request leases, closing records, licenses, voter registration, travel logs, utility bills, business records, and family-location evidence. Establish genuine residency before the transaction and keep contemporaneous documentation.
This page provides general education, not residency or legal advice. Large pre-move transactions warrant guidance from advisers familiar with both states.
Checklist for comparing a real transaction
Confirm adjusted basis
Reconcile tax lots, reinvested distributions, commissions, improvements, inherited or gifted basis, and prior adjustments.
Project full-year income
Include wages, bonuses, RSUs, retirement distributions, business income, and other gains—not only this sale.
Identify the holding period
Record acquisition and disposal dates and check whether either state requires a longer period for preferential treatment.
Model both state returns
Apply Vermont and Wisconsin additions, subtractions, loss carryforwards, credits, residency allocation, and local taxes separately.
Plan estimated payments
Compare federal and state safe-harbor rules and payment due dates before the sale creates an underpayment.
Keep source documents
Retain broker statements, sale contracts, basis records, residency evidence, appraisals, and calculations supporting special exclusions.
Top rate is not average rate
Progressive brackets, income, exclusions, and deductions can make transaction-level effective rates lower.
Holding period matters
Short-term rates are 8.75% in Vermont and 7.65% in Wisconsin.
Federal tax is nationwide
The same federal 0%/15%/20% long-term brackets and 3.8% NIIT rules apply in both states.
Vermont vs Wisconsin capital gains tax FAQs
Vermont has the lower top long-term effective state rate (5.25% vs 5.36%).
Vermont: Preferential long-term treatment. Wisconsin: Preferential long-term treatment. Short-term top effective rates are 8.75% and 7.65% respectively.
In the modeled single-filer scenario with $100,000 of other taxable income, state tax is about $11,116.5 in Vermont and $9,275 in Wisconsin (difference $1,841.5). Federal tax and NIIT are the same in both states for this scenario.
Scenario tables show state tax side by side and note federal + NIIT separately. Federal brackets do not change by state of residence.
No. Exact liability depends on total taxable income, filing status, basis, losses, residency, asset type, and state-specific exclusions. Use the capital gains calculator for a transaction-level estimate.
Vermont has the lower top long-term state capital gains rate, but salary, housing, sales taxes, and public services also matter for relocation.
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