Who actually qualifies for the 0% long-term capital gains bracket, and how do I use it?

In 2025 a single filer with taxable income up to $48,350 (or $96,700 married filing jointly) pays 0% federal tax on long-term capital gains that stack on top of that income. This is real and underused. It helps early retirees, people in a low-income year, and recent grads. The tactic is gain harvesting: deliberately sell appreciated long-term holdings up to the top of the 0% bracket, then rebuy immediately (there's no wash-sale rule on gains). You reset your cost basis higher tax-free, reducing future taxable gains. Watch the edges – gains that spill over the threshold are taxed at 15%, and extra income can affect ACA subsidies or Social Security taxation. Run the numbers at wealthserene.com/tools/tax-strategies.