If you are lucky enough to be a winner at gambling or the lottery, congratulations! After you celebrate, however, be ready to deal with the tax consequences of your good fortune.

Winning at gambling

Whether you win at the casino, a bingo hall, or elsewhere, you must report 100 percent of your winnings as taxable income. They are reported on the ‘Other income’ line on Schedule 1 of your IRS Form 1040 tax return. To measure your winnings on a particular wager, use the net gain. For example, if a $30 bet at the race track turns into a $110 win, you have won $80, not $110.

You must separately keep track of losses. They are deductible, but only as itemized deductions. Therefore, if you do not itemize and take the standard deduction, you cannot deduct gambling losses. In addition, gambling losses are only deductible up to the amount of gambling winnings. So, you can use losses to ‘wipe out’ gambling income but you cannot show a gambling tax loss.

Maintain good records of your losses during the year. Keep a diary in which you indicate the date, place, amount, and type of loss, as well as the names of anyone who was with you. Save all documentation, such as checks or credit slips.

Winning the lottery

The chances of winning the lottery are slim. But if you do not follow the tax rules after winning, the chances of hearing from the IRS are much higher.

Lottery winnings are taxable. This is the case for cash prizes and for the fair market value of any noncash prizes, such as a car or vacation. Depending on your other income and the amount of your winnings, your federal tax rate may be as high as 37 percent. You also may be subject to state income tax.

You report lottery winnings as income in the year, or years, you actually receive them. In the case of noncash prizes, this would be the year the prize is received. With cash, if you take the winnings in annual installments, you only report each year’s installment as income for that year.

If you win more than $5,000 in the lottery or certain types of gambling, 24 percent must be withheld for federal tax purposes. You will receive an IRS Form W-2G from the payer showing the amount paid to you and the federal tax withheld. (The payer also sends this information to the IRS). If state tax withholding is withheld, that amount may also be shown on IRS Form W-2G.

Since your federal tax rate can be up to 37 percent, which is well above the 24 percent withheld, the withholding may not be enough to cover your federal tax bill. Therefore, you may have to make estimated tax payments — and you may be assessed a penalty if you fail to do so. In addition, you may be required to make state and local estimated tax payments.

We can help

If you are fortunate enough to hit a sizable jackpot, there are other issues to consider, including estate planning. This article only covers the basic tax rules. Different rules apply to people who qualify as professional gamblers. Contact us with questions. We can help you reduce your tax implication and stay in compliance with all requirements.