Does Georgia tax lottery winnings?
Yes. Georgia taxes lottery prizes as ordinary income, at a flat 4.99% in 2026. Georgia withholds 4.99% for state tax when the prize is paid. For a large prize, that covers most of the state tax you will owe.
Georgia cut its 2026 income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99% (HB 463, signed May 2026, retroactive to January 1, 2026).
Source: Georgia Lottery (“Georgia state income tax of 4.99%”), checked October 1, 2026.
Georgia Powerball and Mega Millions payout after taxes
A single winner living in Georgia who takes the cash option on the $467 Million Powerball jackpot keeps about $111,661,240, after about $71,138,000 in federal tax and $9,600,760 in Georgia tax. Recalculated daily.
| Game | Georgia tax (lump sum) | Lump sum take-home | Annuity take-home (30 payments) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball$467 Million jackpot · $192.4 Million cash | $9,600,760 | $111,661,240 | $272,406,690 |
| Mega Millions$345 Million jackpot · $139.6 Million cash | $6,966,040 | $81,031,960 | $201,634,491 |
How much is $1 million after taxes in Georgia?
About $630,100. A single filer with no other income pays about $320,000 in federal tax and $49,900 in Georgia tax on a $1,000,000 prize. When you claim, $289,900 is withheld, and the rest of the tax is due when you file.
| Prize (cash) | Federal tax | Georgia tax | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | $320,000 | $49,900 | $630,100 |
| $2,000,000 | $690,000 | $99,800 | $1,210,200 |
| $10,000,000 | $3,650,000 | $499,000 | $5,851,000 |
| $100,000,000 | $36,950,000 | $4,990,000 | $58,060,000 |
| $1,000,000,000 | $369,950,000 | $49,900,000 | $580,150,000 |
Lump sum, single filer with no other income, 2026 federal and Georgia rates. A $2,000,000 prize is the Powerball or Mega Millions match-5 prize with the multiplier.
Claiming in Georgia: 180 days to claim, then 60 days to pick cash or annuity
- Georgia draw-game tickets, including Powerball and Mega Millions, are valid for 180 days after the draw date (Georgia Lottery).
- You do not choose cash or annuity when you buy the ticket. A Georgia jackpot winner has 60 days from filing the claim to elect cash or annuity (Georgia Lottery).
Can you stay anonymous in Georgia?
Only in some cases. At least $250,000: elect anonymity in writing when claiming (source). The guide to what to do if you win the lottery compares the rules in every state.
Georgia compared with neighboring states
$467 Million Powerball jackpot, lump sum, by state of residence. A winner living in Florida keeps $9,600,760 more than a Georgia resident, and one living in South Carolina keeps $1,942,584 less. Alabama does not sell lottery tickets, so residents buy them in a neighboring state.
| State of residence | State & local tax | Lump sum take-home |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $0 | $121,262,000 |
| Tennessee | $0 | $121,262,000 |
| North Carolina | $7,676,760 | $113,585,240 |
| Georgia | $9,600,760 | $111,661,240 |
| AlabamaNo lottery sales | $9,619,960 | $111,642,040 |
| South Carolina | $11,543,344 | $109,718,656 |
Assumes the ticket was bought in the state of residence. Taxes on lottery winnings explains what happens when you buy in another state.
Estimates for a single filer with no other income unless noted. Formulas and sources: methodology. Every state's rates: lottery tax by state.