U.S. · Tax forms
Schedule D line 15, net long-term capital gain or loss.
Which lines it combines, and what happens next on page 2.
Line 15 is your net long-term capital gain or (loss): combine lines 8a through 14 in column (h), then go to Part III on the back. It brings together long-term transactions, K-1 and Form 4797 gains, capital gain distributions, and your long-term carryover loss.
Look up a Schedule D line
Result
Schedule D line 15 on the 2025 form
The 2025 form prints this line as: “Net long-term capital gain or (loss). Combine lines 8a through 14 in column (h). Then, go to Part III on the back.”
| Line | Meaning | What the IRS says |
|---|---|---|
| Line 8a | 1099-B or 1099-DA, basis reported | Long-term totals with no adjustments |
| Lines 8b, 9, 10 | Form 8949 totals | Box D or J; E or K; F or L |
| Line 11 | Other long-term gains | Form 4797 Part I; long-term gain from Forms 2439 and 6252; Forms 4684, 6781 and 8824 |
| Line 12 | K-1 long-term gain or (loss) | Partnerships, S corporations, estates and trusts |
| Line 13 | Capital gain distributions | Form 1099-DIV box 2a |
| Line 14 | Long-term capital loss carryover | From line 13 of the Capital Loss Carryover Worksheet. Shown in parentheses |
| Line 15 | Net long-term capital gain or (loss) | Combine lines 8a through 14 in column (h) |
| Line 16 | Combine lines 7 and 15 | Part III summary, which uses line 15 |
What gets combined
Line 15 combines lines 8a through 14 in column (h). Column (h) of the Part II lines is column (d) proceeds minus column (e) cost or other basis, combined with column (g) adjustments. The rows above list each input. Losses are negative and the carryover on line 14 is entered in parentheses, so a carryover reduces line 15.
What happens after line 15
The form tells you to go to Part III on the back. Line 16 combines line 7 (net short-term) and line 15, and line 17 asks whether lines 15 and 16 are both gains. The tax treatment of a gain on line 15 depends on the later lines and on the Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet or Schedule D Tax Worksheet; for rates, use the calculators linked below.
Worked example
Wes (made-up) has line 8a column (h) of $4,000, line 8b of $1,500, line 12 of $800 from a partnership K-1, line 13 of $350 and a line 14 carryover of ($1,200). Line 15 is $4,000 + $1,500 + $800 + $350 − $1,200 = $5,450, a net long-term gain.
Check it with the other pages
The Schedule D line 13 page covers the distribution input, line 16 covers the next combination, and the line 21 page covers what happens when the result is a loss.
More Schedule D line pages
Other pages in this set: Schedule D line 13, Schedule D line 16, Schedule D line 18, Schedule D line 19, Schedule D line 21.
Sources
- Instructions for Schedule D (Form 1040) (2025): the line-by-line instructions on this page. Page last reviewed or updated April 30, 2026. Read November 2, 2026.
- Schedule D (Form 1040) 2025: the printed line wording and arithmetic on the form. Read November 2, 2026.
Tax year 2025 edition (returns filed in 2026). Line numbers, dollar limits and wording are those printed in the 2025 form and instructions and change by year. Names in worked examples are made up.
Frequently asked questions
What is Schedule D line 15?
Your net long-term capital gain or (loss), found by combining lines 8a through 14 in column (h).
Which lines feed line 15?
Lines 8a through 14: totals from Form 1099-B, 1099-DA and Form 8949, line 11 gains from other forms, line 12 K-1 amounts, line 13 capital gain distributions and the line 14 carryover.
Is the line 14 carryover added or subtracted?
It is entered in parentheses as a loss, so it reduces the total in line 15.
What is the next step after line 15?
Go to Part III on the back. Line 16 combines lines 7 and 15.
Does a gain on line 15 get the long-term rate automatically?
Tax on gains is figured with the worksheets referenced in lines 18 to 20 and Form 1040 line 16, not on line 15 itself.
Not tax advice
This page summarizes IRS instructions, mostly written for the people who prepare the form, and is not tax, legal or financial advice. A CPA or an enrolled agent can confirm what a line means for your return. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.