Taxes on Lottery Winnings: How Much Will You Pay?

How Are Lottery Winnings Taxed?

Lottery winnings and prizes are considered income by the IRS and are subject to federal and state income tax. You’ll owe taxes in the year in which you collect the winnings, which means that you can spread out your tax bill if you choose an annuity instead of a lump sum prize.

“Winning the lottery is thrilling, but the biggest mistake lottery winners make is not understanding the tax consequences and spending their winnings irresponsibly,” says Teresa Dodson, debt expert and founder of Greenbacks Consulting.

When you win a lottery, the amount you win is considered gambling winnings, which is taxable. Any payout over $5,000 after deducting the cost of the wager will automatically have 24% withheld for federal taxes.

You'll then be taxed an additional rate depending on your federal income tax bracket. Here’s a breakdown of the tax brackets for 2025:

For example, if you’re a single filer earning $50,000, your tax bracket will be 22%. If you were to win a lottery prize of $200,000, your total income for the year would be $250,000, which would put you in a tax bracket of 32% (assuming there are no deductions).

State-Specific Tax Laws

Other than federal taxes, jackpot winners also have to pay state taxes, depending on where they live. Most states collect state income taxes, with rates ranging from 2% to 7%.

If you purchase a lottery ticket in a state where you don’t live, the state where you purchased the ticket will typically withhold taxes. At tax time, you’ll need to file to determine how much you owe in state taxes.

Nine states don’t collect a state income tax, including:

1. Alaska
2. Florida
3. Nevada
4. New Hampshire
5. South Dakota
6. Tennessee
7. Texas
8. Washington
9. Wyoming

5 Ways To Minimize Taxes on Lottery Winnings

If you don’t want to end up with a lot of tax debt, it’s essential to consult a tax professional to understand your liability. There are many things you can do to minimize the taxes you pay.

1. Choose an Annuity Payment

One of the biggest factors that impacts how much you’ll pay in taxes is how you choose to receive your winnings. You can either take a lump sum payment or annual payments that are spread over several years, known as an annuity. Each option has different financial implications, but an annuity offers distinct advantages to minimize tax obligations after winning the lottery.

For example, if you win a jackpot with a lump sum payout of $1 million, you’ll be in the top marginal tax rate of 37% for that tax year and pay $370,000 in federal income tax. If you opt for an annuity of $100,000 paid over ten years, you may have to pay only a 22% marginal tax rate, which will be $22,000 each year, or a total of $220,000 over ten years.

2. Work With a Financial Advisor

After winning a lottery, consider enlisting a team of professionals, such as an attorney, a CPA, and a financial advisor, to help manage your winnings. These professionals can provide financial guidance to help you plan for the future and ensure your winnings are protected.

Avoid discussing your winnings with anyone until you’ve discussed your finances with these professionals. Working with financial advisors to plan your estate and ensure proper tax planning will help you manage your windfall and provide for future investments.

3. File Your Tax Returns

Your tax liability will be determined by the income you report on your income tax paperwork. When you’re filing your tax returns, you’ll need to report any winnings in Box 1 of Form W-2G. This will include charity drawings, lottery winnings, raffle tickets, or sweepstakes. You can claim a deduction for the amount of your wager.

It’s also important to remember that while you can’t go to jail if you are unable to pay taxes, you may go to jail for tax evasion or tax fraud. These are serious offenses, so it’s advisable to ensure you file your tax returns accurately, with the help of a tax professional, once you win a lottery.

4. Choose Your Tax Deductions

Lottery winnings are subject to federal income tax withholdings. The payer will issue you a Form W-2 G, and the IRS will automatically withhold 24% of your winnings.

Lottery winners then need to file taxes to determine the rate at which their winnings will ultimately be taxed. Once you file your taxes, you’ll be required to pay any additional taxes that you owe based on your total income for that year.

5. Donate To Charity or Find Another Exemption

You can also minimize the taxes on lottery winnings by donating to a nonprofit organization. This may allow you to take advantage of some itemized deductions, which may lower your tax bracket. If you plan to share your winnings with family and friends, you may also be able to gift up to $19,000 (2025 annual limit) without having to pay a gift tax.

Examples of Taxes on Lottery Winnings

Let’s consider a few examples to get a better understanding of taxes on lottery winnings and what you may owe.

Taxes on Winnings of $200,000

Imagine you're a single filer earning $50,000 a year. You won $200,000 in prize money, so your total taxable income increased to $250,000, which puts you in a higher tax bracket. This means that when you won the lottery, your marginal tax rate increased from 22% to 32%.

Taxes on Winnings of $1,000,000

For this example, let’s assume that you’re a single filer with an income of $45,000 a year. If you won a lump sum of $1 million, your total income for that year would be $1,045,000. This means you’ll pay the highest federal tax rate of 37%.

What To Do Next After Winning the Lottery

If you win a large sum of money in a lottery, it may change your life forever. The steps you take after winning a lottery can secure your future. After you win, analyze your current financial situation and how your windfall will affect it.

Experts recommend working with an accountant to determine how much you'll pay in taxes on lottery winnings. Once you understand your tax obligations, consider working with a financial advisor to determine how to protect your money and ensure it grows over time. Make smart investments to ensure your money lasts well into the future.

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