Current:Home > MarketsIf you in the $935 million Powerball, just how much would you have to pay in taxes? A lot. -WealthRoots Academy
If you in the $935 million Powerball, just how much would you have to pay in taxes? A lot.
View
Date:2025-04-14 22:55:06
In the end, 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! (1)
Related
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Kohl's Memorial Day Sale 2024 Has Best-Selling Bath Towels for Just $4
- Q&A: Should We Be Having Babies In a Warming World?
- Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr., 2023 NL MVP, out for season with torn ACL
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- 'Sympathizer' proves Hollywood has come a long way from when I was in a Vietnam War film
- See Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Daughter Shiloh Grow Up During Rare Red Carpet Moments
- Cannes Film Festival awards exotic dancer drama 'Anora' top prize
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Ancient Ohio tribal site where golfers play is changing hands — but the price is up to a jury
Ranking
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Severe storms tear through Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma, killing at least 14
- Johnny Wactor, 'General Hospital' actor, shot and killed at 37: Reports
- Dallas Mavericks take control of series vs. Minnesota Timberwolves with Game 3 win
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Nicki Minaj apologizes for postponed concert after incident in Amsterdam
- Armenians, Hmong and other groups feel US race and ethnicity categories don’t represent them
- Texas runoffs put Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, state’s GOP House speaker in middle of party feud
Recommendation
Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
The best moments from Bill Walton's broadcasting career
Farmworkers face high-risk exposures to bird flu, but testing isn’t reaching them
Stock market today: Asian shares mostly higher after rebound on Wall St
Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
First-place Seattle Mariners know what they're doing isn't sustainable in AL West race
Actor Johnny Wactor Honored By General Hospital Family After His Tragic Death
The Other Border Dispute Is Over an 80-Year-Old Water Treaty