Why is Jillian’s long-term capital gain taxed at 25% if she is in the higher tax bracket?

Jillian's long-term capital gain is taxed at 25% because of her taxable income amount. In the U.S. tax system, long-term capital gains are generally taxed at preferential rates compared to ordinary income. However, these rates can vary depending on the taxpayer's income level.

For individuals in higher income brackets, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains can be higher than the commonly discussed rates of 0% or 15%. As of the current tax guidelines, when a taxpayer's income surpasses a certain threshold, the rate on long-term capital gains can climb up to 20%, and in some specific cases, such as high-income earners subject to the Net Investment Income Tax, it can reach 25%.

Thus, if Jillian’s overall taxable income places her in a higher tax bracket, it would subject her long-term capital gain to the increased tax rate of 25%, reflecting the specific thresholds set by tax legislation for those gain amounts in relation to her total income. Understanding taxable income is essential to grasp why Jillian faces this specific rate on her capital gains.