How much of your lottery jackpot do you actually keep?
Free lottery tax calculator for all 50 states. Compare lump sum vs annuity, see federal and state taxes on any Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot, and learn exactly what happens after you win.
Lottery Tax Calculator
Estimates for tax year 2026 · single filer · educational estimate, not tax advice
Type the headline number you saw announced.
Advanced assumptions
Enter a jackpot and hit Calculate to see your after-tax payout.
Federal brackets, state brackets, withholding and the 30-year annuity schedule are all modeled with 2026 tax year data.
Estimates assume the prize is your only income and you claim the standard deduction (single filer). Withholding figures reflect federal law and published state practices. Confirm with a CPA before making decisions.
Lottery tax calculators by state
Every state, every rate, every rule — pick yours. Zero-tax states are marked.
How the lottery tax math works
The jackpot isn't the prize
The advertised number is the annuity value. The lump sum (cash value) is what's actually in the prize pool — recently about 45–52% of the headline. All taxes come out of whichever option you choose.
Federal: 24% withheld, up to 37% owed
The IRS withholds 24% of prizes over $5,000, but jackpot income lands in the top brackets — 37% in 2026. The gap between withholding and reality is the surprise that catches winners off guard.
State: 0% to 13.3% (or exempt)
Nine states take nothing. California, Delaware and Pennsylvania exempt lottery wins. Everyone else applies their income tax — from North Dakota's ~2% to Hawaii's 11% and New York's 10.9% plus city tax.
Lump sum taxed once, annuity per year
The lump sum lands in one tax year and stacks on everything else you earn. The annuity pays 30 graduated checks over 29 years, each taxed in the year received — our calculator models both payment-by-payment.
Lottery tax FAQ
How much tax do you pay on lottery winnings?
The IRS withholds 24% of prizes over $5,000 up front, but the true federal liability is up to 37% at the top bracket. Your state may add 0%–13.3% depending on where you live. Our calculator shows both the initial withholding and the estimated true tax.
Which states don't tax lottery winnings?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no income tax at all. California, Delaware and Pennsylvania additionally exempt state lottery winnings. All three situations are modeled on the state's calculator page.
Is it better to take the lump sum or the annuity?
The lump sum is roughly 45–52% of the advertised jackpot, taxed once. The annuity pays the full headline over 30 years with 5% annual increases, taxed each year. Discipline, rates and your tax picture decide — read our full comparison.
Does the calculator store my numbers?
No. All math runs locally in your browser — nothing you type is sent to or stored on our servers.