Capital gains are profits you make from selling an asset and they are generally taxed at different rates depending on how long you have held the asset.
If you hold your assets for longer than a year, you can often benefit from a reduced tax rate on your profits. Those in the lower tax bracket could pay nothing for their capital gains rate, while high-income taxpayers could save as much as 17% off the ordinary income rate, according to the IRS. For taxable years beginning in 2023, the tax rate on most net capital gain is no higher than 15% for most individuals. However, a capital gains rate of 20% applies to the extent that your taxable income exceeds the thresholds set for the 15% capital gain rate.
So for most individuals, the long term capital gain rate are more favorable than the income tax rate(based on the tax brackets) on their W2 or interest income.
@Ruub12 Thanks for the question!
Does the amount of the gain get added to regular income and cause a higher tax rate?
Nope. The Long-term capital gain will not push you to a higher tax bracket as they are taxed at lower rates. But, capital gains will increase your adjusted gross income (AGI), and this can cause you to lose eligibility to contribute to an IRA or a Roth IRA, and you could be phased out of itemized deductions and some tax credits.