Current:Home > FinanceRobert Brown|If you in the $935 million Powerball, just how much would you have to pay in taxes? A lot. -PrimeWealth Guides
Robert Brown|If you in the $935 million Powerball, just how much would you have to pay in taxes? A lot.
Rekubit Exchange View
Date:2025-04-08 02:34:19
In the end,Robert Brown it's one for you and 19 for the taxman.
If there is a winner for Saturday's Powerball jackpot, they won't take home the entire estimated $935 million prize, even if they are the only ticket with the right six numbers.
The prize is taxed if a person takes the annuity option − which is what the advertised jackpot figure represents − or the lump sum. A 2018 USA TODAY analysis recommended taking the lump sum.
If a winner joins the ranks of the luckiest people alive, like the New Jersey person that won Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot, there will be a hefty tax bill to pay. (Though, let's be honest they can cry about it in their piles of new money.)
Here's what to know about taxes on lottery winnings.
Federal taxes on Powerball wins
Federal lottery taxes are determined by the income bracket the winnings fall into.
Currently the two highest income brackets are taxed at 37% for incomes over $578,125 and 35% for incomes over $231,250.
The governing lottery body withholds 24% of the prize automatically, leaving the balance to be paid by the winner, according to Lottery USA.
If a sole winner of Saturday's prize is taxed up to 37% and lives in a state where the only taxes required are federal, they will take home an estimated $283,346,573 from the cash option, according to Lottery USA's tax calculator.
State taxes on Powerball wins
Most states impose a tax on lottery wins.
New York levies the highest tax on wins at 10.9%, followed by Maryland (8.9%) and the District of Columbia (8.5%), according to Lottery USA.
If the Powerball winner lives in New York − assuming there are no deductions − they will have to pay $49,017,300 on the cash option, according to Lottery USA's tax calculator.
There are ten states and territories that do not tax lottery winners. They are:
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- New Hampshire
- Puerto Rico
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- Wyoming
Where to purchase lottery tickets
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
veryGood! (86)
Related
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Man accused of walking into FBI office, confessing to killing Boston woman in 1979
- Ex-Bengals player Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones arrested at Cincinnati airport
- A decision in Texas AG’s Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial could happen as soon as this week
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Country singer-songwriter Charlie Robison dies at 59 after suffering cardiac arrest
- Police warn that escapee Danelo Cavalcante is armed. He has avoided searchers for nearly two weeks
- Illinois appeals court to hear arguments on Jussie Smollett request to toss convictions
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Dog walker struck by lightning along Boston beach, critically hospitalized
Ranking
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Danelo Cavalcante update: Sister arrested by immigration officials; search remains ongoing
- Up First Briefing: Google on trial; Kim Jong Un in Russia; green comet sighting
- McCarthy juggles government shutdown and potential Biden impeachment inquiry as House returns
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- US already struck by record number of billion-dollar disasters in 2023: NOAA
- Passenger's dog found weeks after it escaped, ran off on Atlanta airport tarmac
- Kia, Volkswagen, Subaru, and Audi among 208,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
Recommendation
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Indigenous tribes urge federal officials to deny loan request for Superior natural gas plant
‘Dumb Money’ goes all in on the GameStop stock frenzy — and may come out a winner
NFL Week 1 winners, losers: Dolphins, 49ers waste no time with sizzling starts
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
Grand Canyon hiker dies after trying to walk from rim to rim in a single day
Elon Musk’s refusal to have Starlink support Ukraine attack in Crimea raises questions for Pentagon
What are tree nuts? What they aren't might surprise you.