Here’s how much the Powerball winner will owe in taxes after the $1.8 billion jackpot



Hit the jackpot, meet the taxman.

The Powerball jackpot has soared to a staggering estimated $1.8 billion — but the lucky winner will have to fork over millions in taxes before enjoying the benefits of the gargantuan prize.

Saturday’s drawing, the second-largest in US history, has dreamers eager to cash in, but even if someone hits, a significant portion will go straight to taxes, leaving the winner far short of the advertised jackpot.

Lottery ticket display showing a $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot. Getty Images

Lotto winners lose at least 24% of the grand prize to federal income taxes — meaning Saturday’s jackpot winner could owe a whopping $198.3 million, CNBC reported.

However, the colossal earnings will push the lucky winner into a 37% federal tax bracket, meaning they’ll surrender even more on top of any state taxes that may apply, depending on where they live.

Winning the Powerball jackpot is a 1-in-292 million chance. AP

In New York, lottery winnings are taxed at 10.9%, according to the New York Lottery guidelines.

In 2025, individuals earning more than $626,350 and married couples with income over $751,600 fall into the 37% federal tax bracket.

When cashing in, winners can choose to receive their winnings in one of two ways: an immediate lump sum or an annuity payment followed by 29 annual premiums increasing by 5% each year.

The next drawing will happen Sept. 6 at 10:59 p.m. Getty Images

The winner of Saturday’s jackpot — a 1-in-292 million chance — who opts for the lump sum would take home about $826.4 million, while the annuity option is worth $1.80 billion, the outlet reported.

Experts recommend the annuity for the full jackpot and three decades of steady payments, but most ticket holders prefer the one-and-done payday.

No one has clinched a Powerball win since May 31, making way for an enviable prize that keeps stacking up.

The highest-ever payout was $2.04 billion in 2022.

The next Powerball drawing happens live on Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.

Credit to Nypost AND Peoples

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