California lottery tax calculator
California does not charge state income tax on lottery winnings, including Powerball, Mega Millions and SuperLotto Plus. Federal tax still applies. Enter your jackpot and income to see what you would keep.
Cash option
$47,000,000
before tax
Take-home, lump sum
$29,639,920
after about 36.9% tax
Total tax, lump sum
$17,360,080
Federal $17,360,080 + state $0
Lump sum breakdown
Your top federal rate on this win: 37%. The lottery withholds only 24%, so a large jackpot usually means a large bill on top.
Annuity: 30 payments over 29 years
First payment
$1,505,144
rises 5% a year
Total take-home
$63,897,592
from $100,000,000 gross
Worth today at 4%
$33,331,724
annuity take-home in today's money
On these numbers the annuity is worth more in today's money ($33,331,724 versus $29,639,920). Change the discount rate and see how it flips.
See every annuity payment
| Year | Gross | Federal tax | State tax | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,505,144 | $526,983 | $0 | $978,160 |
| 2 | $1,580,401 | $554,829 | $0 | $1,025,572 |
| 3 | $1,659,421 | $584,066 | $0 | $1,075,355 |
| 4 | $1,742,392 | $614,765 | $0 | $1,127,627 |
| 5 | $1,829,511 | $646,999 | $0 | $1,182,512 |
| 6 | $1,920,987 | $680,845 | $0 | $1,240,142 |
| 7 | $2,017,036 | $716,384 | $0 | $1,300,653 |
| 8 | $2,117,888 | $753,699 | $0 | $1,364,189 |
| 9 | $2,223,782 | $792,880 | $0 | $1,430,903 |
| 10 | $2,334,972 | $834,020 | $0 | $1,500,952 |
| 11 | $2,451,720 | $877,217 | $0 | $1,574,503 |
| 12 | $2,574,306 | $922,574 | $0 | $1,651,733 |
| 13 | $2,703,021 | $970,198 | $0 | $1,732,823 |
| 14 | $2,838,173 | $1,020,204 | $0 | $1,817,968 |
| 15 | $2,980,081 | $1,072,710 | $0 | $1,907,371 |
| 16 | $3,129,085 | $1,127,842 | $0 | $2,001,243 |
| 17 | $3,285,540 | $1,185,730 | $0 | $2,099,810 |
| 18 | $3,449,816 | $1,246,512 | $0 | $2,203,304 |
| 19 | $3,622,307 | $1,310,334 | $0 | $2,311,973 |
| 20 | $3,803,423 | $1,377,347 | $0 | $2,426,076 |
| 21 | $3,993,594 | $1,447,710 | $0 | $2,545,884 |
| 22 | $4,193,274 | $1,521,591 | $0 | $2,671,682 |
| 23 | $4,402,937 | $1,599,167 | $0 | $2,803,770 |
| 24 | $4,623,084 | $1,680,621 | $0 | $2,942,463 |
| 25 | $4,854,238 | $1,766,148 | $0 | $3,088,090 |
| 26 | $5,096,950 | $1,855,952 | $0 | $3,240,998 |
| 27 | $5,351,798 | $1,950,245 | $0 | $3,401,552 |
| 28 | $5,619,388 | $2,049,254 | $0 | $3,570,134 |
| 29 | $5,900,357 | $2,153,212 | $0 | $3,747,145 |
| 30 | $6,195,375 | $2,262,369 | $0 | $3,933,006 |
An estimate for educational use, using 2026 US federal brackets and the standard deduction, with the win taxed as ordinary income on top of the income you enter. It ignores deductions, credits, the alternative minimum tax, local taxes you do not enter and trusts. Pools, gifts and estate tax change the picture. Talk to a tax professional before you claim a large prize.
Lottery winnings in California
California exempts California Lottery winnings from state income tax. You owe federal income tax, which the lottery starts to collect with a 24% withholding on prizes over $5,000. For a large prize, your final federal bill is higher, because the top federal rate is 37%.
California Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games. Prizes over $600 normally require you to claim in person or by mail, and large prizes at a lottery district office.
What the calculator does
- 1Takes the advertised jackpot and applies the cash option percentage to get the lump sum.
- 2Adds the lump sum to the other income you enter and applies the 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction.
- 3Subtracts the 24% already withheld to show how much more you will owe.
- 4Applies your state rate to the winnings.
- 5For the annuity, spreads the jackpot over 30 payments that each grow by 5%, taxes every year separately and discounts the result to today's money.
This is an estimate. It leaves out deductions, credits, the alternative minimum tax and local taxes. Always confirm with a tax professional before claiming a large prize.
Lump sum or annuity: how to think about it
- The lump sum is a fixed amount now, usually about half the advertised jackpot, and is taxed in one year at the top brackets.
- The annuity pays the full advertised amount over 29 years, rises 5% a year and is taxed year by year, often at lower rates in the early years.
- The right answer depends on how much you can earn on invested money, your discipline, your health and family, and your tax situation.
- Winners who take the annuity cannot spend it all at once, which protects some people from themselves. Winners who take the lump sum can invest it, but also lose it.
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Frequently asked questions
Does California tax lottery winnings?
No. California does not tax California Lottery winnings at the state level. You still owe federal tax.
Do I pay state tax if I win a multi-state game in California?
Powerball and Mega Millions are California Lottery games, so winnings are covered by the exemption.
How long do I have to claim a California lottery prize?
For draw games it is 180 days after the draw date. Always check the back of your ticket and the California Lottery site.
What about cities and counties?
California cities and counties do not levy income tax on lottery winnings.