No doubt about it, winning the lottery dramatically changes a person’s life. A financial windfall of that magnitude quickly grants you a level of financial freedom you probably have trouble imagining.
But becoming a Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot winner doesn’t change everything. If you are the lucky winner, you still have to worry about bills and taxes – especially the taxes on your lottery winnings. That’s why it’s crucial to get up to speed on how lottery winnings are taxed before you strike it big.
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How are lottery winnings taxed?
Lottery winnings are considered ordinary taxable income for both federal and state tax purposes. That means your winnings are taxed the same as your wages or salary. And you must report the entire amount you receive each year on your tax return.
For example, let’s say you elected to receive your lottery winnings in the form of annuity payments and received $50,000 in 2018. You must report that money as income on your 2018 tax return. The same is true, however, if you take a lump-sum payout in 2018. You must report that entire amount as well.
Note: Before you receive one dollar, the IRS automatically takes 24 percent of your winnings as tax money. You’re expected to pay the rest of your tax bill on that prize money when you file your return.
What is the tax rate for lottery winnings?
When it comes to federal taxes, lottery winnings are taxed according to the federal tax brackets. Therefore, you won’t pay the same tax rate on the entire amount. The tax brackets are progressive, which means portions of your winnings are taxed at different rates. Depending on the number of your winnings, your federal tax rate could be as high as 37 percent.
State and local tax rates vary by location. Some states don’t impose an income tax while others withhold over 15 percent. Also, some states have withholding rates for non-residents, meaning even if you don’t live there, you still have to pay taxes to that state.
Does tax reform affect lottery winnings?
In 2018, the top tax rate was lowered from 39.6 percent to 37 percent. That means you would pay less in taxes this year if you won.
Additionally, the new $10,000 limit on deducting state and local taxes restricts the amount of state taxes you could write off in future years.
Do I have to pay state taxes on lottery winnings if I don’t live in the state where I bought the ticket?
Most states don’t withhold taxes when the winner doesn’t reside there. In fact, of the 43 states that participate in multistate lotteries, only two withhold taxes from nonresidents. Arizona and Maryland both tax the winnings of people who live out-of-state.
Can I change the amount of tax the lottery withholds?
You don’t have a choice on how much state or federal tax is withheld from your winnings. The only piece you can control is how much money you save to cover any extra money you may owe.
Do lottery winnings count as earned income for Social Security purposes?
Lottery winnings are not considered earned income, no matter how much work it was purchasing your tickets. Therefore, they do not affect your Social Security benefits.
Does winning the lottery affect my tax bracket?
Winning the lottery can affect your tax bracket in a big way. An average family’s top federal tax rate could go from 22 percent to 37 percent. But remember, if that happens, you likely won’t pay the top rate on all of your money.
That is unless your regular household income already places you in the top tax bracket prior to winning. In that case, all of it is taxed at 37 percent. Lottery winnings are combined with the rest of your taxable income for the year, meaning that money is not taxed separately.
What are the benefits of taking a lump sum payment versus annuity payments?
If you take a lump sum, you have more control over your money right now. You can choose to invest it into a retirement account or other stock option to generate a return. You could also use it to buy or expand a business.
Several financial advisors recommend taking the lump sum because you typically receive a better return on investing lottery winnings in higher-return assets, like stocks. If you elect annuity payments, however, you can take advantage of your tax deductions each year and a lower tax bracket to reduce your tax bill.
The decision for which option is better is complex. It all depends on the size of the lottery winnings, your current and projected income tax rates, where you reside, and the potential rate of return on any investments. If you win big, it’s in your best interest to work with a financial advisor to determine what’s right for you.