Do You Have To Pay Taxes On Gambling Winnings

A common question that often concerns those people who are new to gambling revolves around tax liabilities and here we take a look at the very simple question of whether or not you must pay tax on gambling winnings. Please note that we are looking here only at people who are resident in the UK for tax purposes. Non-UK citizens or anyone not in the UK should check with the relevant tax authorities wherever they are based and according to the laws of their country of residence.

• Claim Gambling Winnings On Taxes
• How To File Gambling Taxes
• Taxes On Online Gambling Winnings
• Nevada Taxes On Gambling Winnings

For many the idea that winnings from gambling could be tax free seems too good to be true but we are happy to report that, quite simply, gambling winnings are indeed tax free in the UK. You may read on various forum posts written by self-proclaimed experts talking of grey areas and posing abstract hypothetical questions but we can categorically and emphatically say that you do not need to pay tax on any profit accrued from gambling. This is true for one-off punters who happen to land a big win, professional gamblers raking in tens of thousands of pounds a year and regular punters who sometimes win and sometimes lose.

History of UK Gambling Taxes

1961 to 2001: 9% Tax on Stake or Winnings

1. Casino winnings count as gambling income and gambling income is always taxed at the federal level. That includes cash from slot machines, poker tournaments, baccarat, roulette, keno, bingo.
2. All winnings that you realize in a casino are taxable as income, both on the state and federal levels. So, you should be reporting those wins on your annual tax returns. Though many people scoff at the notion of reporting cash income to the government, it counts the same as income from a check or direct deposit in the eyes of the taxman.
3. Yes, whether you gamble at land-based or online casinos, the money you earn is subject to federal income tax. Known as gambling income, the money you earn from wagers and bets as well as lotteries, sweepstakes, etc. All must be taxed. In some cases, you will be provided with tax forms that must be turned in to the federal government.
4. 1961 to 2001: 9% Tax on Stake or Winnings The tax-free status of gambling in the UK has not always been in place, however, and until relatively recently punters did have to pay tax on their bets/winnings. Betting shops were legalised in the UK in the 1960s and from then.

The tax-free status of gambling in the UK has not always been in place, however, and until relatively recently punters did have to pay tax on their bets/winnings. Betting shops were legalised in the UK in the 1960s and from then until 2001 there was a 9% tax levied against bettors. The punter could choose to pay the 9% tax up front based on the stake or, advisable if backing a long odds outsider, opt to pay the tax only if the bet was a winner, but with the 9% being applied to the winnings, rather than the stake.

Typically, tax on winnings, like sweepstakes or prize money, should be reported to you in Box 3 (other income) of IRS Form 1099-MISC. This includes winnings from sweepstakes when you did not make an effort to enter and also applies to merchandise won from a game show. Taxes on Lottery Winnings, Raffles, Charity Drawings, and Sweepstakes by Wager.

2001 to 2014: 15% Tax on Bookmakers Profits

With the advent of online and telephone betting in the mid-1990s onwards, major UK bookies, led by BetVictor, moved offshore to such tax havens as Gibraltar, Malta or the Isle of Man. As the operator was based in these destinations, bets were exempt from UK tax law. As more and more businesses began to work this way, the British government became concerned about the loss of tax revenue – not to mention the loss of jobs – and so then-Chancellor Gordon Brown changed the laws in 2001.

Instead of taxing the gambler, the government instead levied a 15% tax on whatever profits the bookies made, meaning that for almost 15 years winnings from bets have been entirely tax free. Hurrah for that!

However, bookies, just like all other big businesses, are always keen to limit their tax liabilities as much as possible. So ,whilst this move strengthened the hand of UK bookies and high street betting shops (by levelling the playing field as far as punters were concerned), it did little to generate tax revenue from those online betting sites that already had operations based in places such as Gibraltar.

Such bookies claimed their profits were exempt from UK taxes and in the ever-complex world of global tax law they were able to avoid any significant payments to the British exchequer, despite the fact that much of their profits were coming from UK customers.

2014 to Present: Point of Consumption Tax Introduced

In late 2014, with the financial crisis still lingering, the government introduced yet another tax to try and grab a more worthwhile slice of the huge revenues the biggest gambling companies generate. A 'point-of-consumption' tax was introduced that meant that the UK government would take 15% of any profits generated from customers based in the UK, even if those bets were technically accepted in such tax havens as have been mentioned.

Point of consumption is a huge issue for governments and businesses around the world and the new tax, whilst hurting the profits of the various UK-facing bookies who still have large offices offshore, is set to yield tax streams that run into the hundreds of millions of pounds for the government.

More importantly, however, at least as far as us winning punters are concerned, it means that winnings from bets remain 100% tax free and look likely to stay that way. Hurrah once more!

Why are Winnings Tax Free?

Some people continue to dispute the simplicity of all this but there is one very good reason why winnings remain tax free: if they weren't, there would have to be some form of credits system to offset losses. If the government was claiming tax on winnings it would seem unfair if losses couldn't be offset against this and that system would be far too complex to be workable.

As if things couldn't be any clearer, the HMRC explicitly states that being a 'professional gambler' (let alone a recreational player) does not constitute a trade or job. The HMRC site, citing the legal case of Graham versus Green, states that, 'The fact that a taxpayer has a system by which they place their bets, or that they are sufficiently successful to earn a living by gambling does not make their activities a trade.'

Might HMRC Query My Income?

If you are merely an occasional punter or even a regular gambler who bets on a weekly, or even daily basis, for fun, there is virtually no chance that HMRC will want to know about your gambling. However, for those lucky and skilful enough to make a full- or part-time living from gambling, there is a slight chance that HMRC may take an interest in where your money is coming from.

This has nothing to do with the taxability of winnings and is simply a step to guard against people either doing untaxed work, attempting to launder money or living off what I believe my grandmother might have called 'ill-gotten gains'.

If you fall into this fortunate category of being a professional gambler it should be quite easy to satisfy HMRC, especially if the bulk of your gambling is done online. Showing brief details of your bets should be more than enough to satisfy them that all your wonderful gains are 'good-gambling-gotten'. And, of course, totally tax free!

We think it's important for you to understand how we make money. It's pretty simple, actually. The offers for financial products you see on our platform come from companies who pay us. The money we make helps us give you access to free credit scores and reports and helps us create our other great tools and educational materials.

Compensation may factor into how and where products appear on our platform (and in what order). But since we generally make money when you find an offer you like and get, we try to show you offers we think are a good match for you. That's why we provide features like your Approval Odds and savings estimates.

Of course, the offers on our platform don't represent all financial products out there, but our goal is to show you as many great options as we can.

This article was fact-checked by our editors and Christina Taylor, MBA, senior manager of tax operations for Credit Karma Tax®.

Hit it big playing the lottery? You're probably thinking about how you'll spend all that sweet cash. But first, Uncle Sam is going to want his cut.

The Internal Revenue Service considers lottery money as gambling winnings, which are taxed as ordinary income. The total amount of tax you pay on your lottery winnings will depend on multiple factors, including the state where you live and whether you take the winnings as a lump-sum payment (one check for the full amount after taxes have been withheld) or an annuity (smaller annual payments that are paid out and taxed over time).

Although you probably won't be able to completely escape the tax man, you may be able to offset taxes on lottery winnings by claiming deductions you qualify for. Here are some things to know about paying federal income taxes on lottery winnings. Keep in mind tax rules may vary for state and local income taxes, so for the purposes of this article, we're talking about federal income taxes only.

Do I have to pay taxes on lottery winnings?

The IRS considers most types of income taxable, unless the tax code specifically says it's not. Because lottery winnings are considered gambling winnings, which are definitely considered taxable income, the IRS will want its cut.

For lottery winnings, that means one of two things.

• You'll either pay taxes on all the winnings in the year you receive the money — for winnings paid out as a lump-sum payment.
• Or you'll pay taxes only on the amount you receive each year — for winnings paid as an annuity.

Take note: If you receive interest on annuity installments that haven't been paid to you yet, that interest must be included in your gross income for the tax year you received it.

How will the IRS know about my lottery winnings?

Claim Gambling Winnings On Taxes

If your winnings are $600 or more, the lottery agency is supposed to give you a Form W-2G that you'll have to file with your federal income tax return if the agency withheld federal income tax from your winnings.

The lottery agency is also required to send a copy of this form to the IRS if your winnings are $600 or more, so it's important to accurately report your winnings on your federal tax return.

And even if you don't receive a W-2G for your lottery winnings (or other type of gambling payouts), you're still expected to report those winnings as income on your federal tax return.

How could winning the lottery affect my taxes overall?

Getting a huge financial windfall can be life-changing, but it doesn't change everything — you'll still have to pay taxes and bills. Federal and state taxes can decrease the amount of money you ultimately receive, so it's crucial to understand taxes on lottery winnings when you strike it big.

Whether you're all-in on your prize money and accept it as a lump sum or you're receiving payments over time, winning the lottery generally increases your income. Taxes are calculated based on your taxable income for the year, so if the extra income from lottery winnings moves you into a higher tax bracket, you'll typically end up paying more income tax.

If you fail to report taxable income (including lottery winnings) on your tax return, you could owe additional tax, interest and even penalties.

What is the tax rate for lottery winnings?

Depending on where you live, you may need to pay taxes on lottery winnings to your state and local governments in addition to the federal government.

Federal tax

Right off the bat, lottery agencies are required to withhold 24% from winnings of $5,000 or more, which goes to the federal government. But, depending on whether your winnings affect your tax bracket, there could potentially be a gap between the mandatory withholding amount and what you'll ultimately owe the IRS.

Even if your lottery winnings don't boost your tax bracket, if the federal government withheld too much tax on your lottery winnings, you might get a refund at tax time.

State and local tax

Each state has its own rules on taxing lottery winnings, so check both your state's tax website and your city's tax website for information. For example, if you live and win in New York City, the state government will withhold 8.82% and the city will withhold another 3.876% — on top of your base federal withholding of 24%.

Seven states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — don't have income tax, so big winners in those states won't pay state taxes on prize money. Some other states don't have a state lottery at all.

And three more states — California, New Hampshire and Tennessee — exclude their state lottery winnings from taxable income. But before you play the lottery in a different state, check the rules so that you know whether any taxes will apply to your winnings.

Should I take a lump sum or annuity payments?

Whether you get to choose between a lump sum or annual installments for your lottery payout can depend on different factors, like state lottery rules and how much you won. Either way, here's how the two payout types will affect your federal income taxes.

Lump-sum impact

Receiving your winnings as a single lump sum could potentially bump you right into the highest bracket for the tax year in which you win the lottery. That would mean if you win a very large amount, your income over a set threshold ($518,401 for single taxpayers and $622,051 for married couples filing jointly, for 2020) would be taxed by the IRS at 37%.

'If you decide to have a lump sum payment, that would probably put you in the higher tax bracket for that one year,' says Megan McManus, CPA and owner at Megan McManus, CPA.

For example, if you're single and your current taxable income is $40,000, a $1 million lottery payout, taken in a lump sum, would increase your total income to $1,040,000 for the tax year. At the federal level, the portion of your income over $518,401 would be taxed at 37%. But all the lower tax rates would also apply to portions of your income less than that threshold. Here's what you'd pay (rounded to the nearest dollar).

• 10% on income up to $9,700 = $970
• 12% on the next $29,775 = $3,573
• 22% on the next $44,725 = $9,839
• 24% on the next $76,525 = $18,366
• 32% on the next $43,375 = $13,880
• 35% on the next $306,200 = $107,170
• 37% on the last $529,700 = $195,989

If you add all that up, your total federal income tax obligation for the year would be $349,787.

Annual payments impact

Depending on your income, receiving annual payments will also likely affect your tax bracket — but the immediate financial impact could be less.

'The annuity payments would probably allow you to be in a lower tax bracket each year,' McManus says.

Let's look at the above scenario with the same amount of lottery winnings broken out into 30 annual payments of about $33,333.

With the annuity approach, your taxable income would increase to just $73,333 in the year you won the lottery (assuming other factors like a wage increase didn't boost your taxable income). The highest federal tax rate that would apply to your income would be just 22%. Here's what you'd pay (rounded to the nearest dollar).

How To File Gambling Taxes

• 10% on up to $9,700 = $970
• 12% on the next $29,775 = $3,573
• 22% on the remaining $33,858 = $7,449

Your total federal income tax obligation for the year in which you win would be just $11,992.

Learn more about the marginal tax rate and what it means for your winnings.

How can I offset federal taxes on lottery winnings?

If you've won the lottery, the IRS expects you to report it as income on your tax return. And Uncle Sam is going to want his share whether you receive your winnings as a lump sum or annual payments. But there are ways to try to offset the increased tax obligation your lottery winnings will cause.

Claim deductions

Taxes On Online Gambling Winnings

Deductions are dollar amounts the IRS allows you to subtract from your adjusted gross income, or AGI, if you meet the requirements. This lowers your taxable income, which in turn can reduce your tax obligation. Here are two possible deductions (if you itemize).

Each state has its own rules on taxing lottery winnings, so check both your state's tax website and your city's tax website for information. For example, if you live and win in New York City, the state government will withhold 8.82% and the city will withhold another 3.876% — on top of your base federal withholding of 24%.

Seven states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — don't have income tax, so big winners in those states won't pay state taxes on prize money. Some other states don't have a state lottery at all.

And three more states — California, New Hampshire and Tennessee — exclude their state lottery winnings from taxable income. But before you play the lottery in a different state, check the rules so that you know whether any taxes will apply to your winnings.

Should I take a lump sum or annuity payments?

Whether you get to choose between a lump sum or annual installments for your lottery payout can depend on different factors, like state lottery rules and how much you won. Either way, here's how the two payout types will affect your federal income taxes.

Lump-sum impact

Receiving your winnings as a single lump sum could potentially bump you right into the highest bracket for the tax year in which you win the lottery. That would mean if you win a very large amount, your income over a set threshold ($518,401 for single taxpayers and $622,051 for married couples filing jointly, for 2020) would be taxed by the IRS at 37%.

'If you decide to have a lump sum payment, that would probably put you in the higher tax bracket for that one year,' says Megan McManus, CPA and owner at Megan McManus, CPA.

For example, if you're single and your current taxable income is $40,000, a $1 million lottery payout, taken in a lump sum, would increase your total income to $1,040,000 for the tax year. At the federal level, the portion of your income over $518,401 would be taxed at 37%. But all the lower tax rates would also apply to portions of your income less than that threshold. Here's what you'd pay (rounded to the nearest dollar).

• 10% on income up to $9,700 = $970
• 12% on the next $29,775 = $3,573
• 22% on the next $44,725 = $9,839
• 24% on the next $76,525 = $18,366
• 32% on the next $43,375 = $13,880
• 35% on the next $306,200 = $107,170
• 37% on the last $529,700 = $195,989

If you add all that up, your total federal income tax obligation for the year would be $349,787.

Annual payments impact

Depending on your income, receiving annual payments will also likely affect your tax bracket — but the immediate financial impact could be less.

'The annuity payments would probably allow you to be in a lower tax bracket each year,' McManus says.

Let's look at the above scenario with the same amount of lottery winnings broken out into 30 annual payments of about $33,333.

With the annuity approach, your taxable income would increase to just $73,333 in the year you won the lottery (assuming other factors like a wage increase didn't boost your taxable income). The highest federal tax rate that would apply to your income would be just 22%. Here's what you'd pay (rounded to the nearest dollar).

How To File Gambling Taxes

• 10% on up to $9,700 = $970
• 12% on the next $29,775 = $3,573
• 22% on the remaining $33,858 = $7,449

Your total federal income tax obligation for the year in which you win would be just $11,992.

Learn more about the marginal tax rate and what it means for your winnings.

How can I offset federal taxes on lottery winnings?

If you've won the lottery, the IRS expects you to report it as income on your tax return. And Uncle Sam is going to want his share whether you receive your winnings as a lump sum or annual payments. But there are ways to try to offset the increased tax obligation your lottery winnings will cause.

Claim deductions

Taxes On Online Gambling Winnings

Deductions are dollar amounts the IRS allows you to subtract from your adjusted gross income, or AGI, if you meet the requirements. This lowers your taxable income, which in turn can reduce your tax obligation. Here are two possible deductions (if you itemize).

Nevada Taxes On Gambling Winnings

1. Charitable donations — You may be able to deduct the value of your charitable contributions from your income as long as the organization is a qualified tax-exempt organization — but certain conditions and limits apply. For example, you can only deduct cash donations that are equal to no more than 60% of your AGI.
2. Gambling losses — You can deduct your gambling losses (like the cost of lottery tickets that you didn't win on) as long as they don't exceed the winnings you report as income. For example, if you report $1,000 in winnings but you have $2,000 in losses, you can only deduct $1,000.

Play the lottery in a pool

If you join a pool with others to buy lottery tickets, then any potential lottery prizes will be smaller because you're sharing it — but your tax hit will be smaller, too.

'You'll only be taxed on your portion of the income,' McManus says, 'so if you receive a third of the winnings, you would only pay tax on that third.'

To make sure you're taxed correctly, document how much of the winnings go to each person in your group. Ask the lottery agency to cut checks for each person in the pool instead of having one person collect and distribute the winnings. This may help ensure you only pay taxes on the amount you actually receive.

What's next

Winning the lottery could change your life by giving you a certain level of financial freedom. But before claiming your prize, consider speaking with a financial or tax adviser who can help you understand the potential tax impact of your winnings and plan the best way to manage your windfall.

Consider how you plan to use the money.

'If you want to buy a house or put your kids through college, you might need the funds now, as opposed to taking annual payments,' McManus says.

But if your objective is to ensure a steady stream of income, annual payments may be more appealing to you.

Whether you receive your lottery winnings as a lump sum or annual payments though, you'll still have to pay the federal government — and possibly your state and local government — their share of your winnings. So it's important to have a plan for how to best save, invest and grow the winnings you'll keep.

Relevant sources: Topic No. 419 Gambling Income and Losses | IRS: Publication 538 | New York Lottery General Rules | IRS: Pay As You Go, So You Won't Owe

Christina Taylor is senior manager of tax operations for Credit Karma Tax®. She has more than a dozen years of experience in tax, accounting and business operations. Christina founded her own accounting consultancy and managed it for more than six years. She codeveloped an online DIY tax-preparation product, serving as chief operating officer for seven years. She is the current treasurer of the National Association of Computerized Tax Processors and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration/accounting from Baker College and an MBA from Meredith College. You can find her on LinkedIn.

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