Virginia Gambling Winnings Tax Calculator: What Do You Owe In 2024?
Did you just win big on a wager and wonder what it will cost you to take home your winnings? Or just curious about the Virginia lottery tax calculator? Lucky for you, you found the experts for all things Virginia sports betting. And we've got you covered with the Virginia lottery tax calculator.
Virginia’s state tax rates range from 2% to 5.75%, and even the higher rates are triggered at a very low level of income – $17,000.
Celebrate your wins. Then use our tax calculator below to get a clearer picture of your situation.
What Are Virginia 2024 Gambling Tax Rates?
Gambling winnings are subject to 24% federal tax, which is automatically withheld on winnings that exceed a specific threshold (see next section for exact amounts). Virginia’s state tax rates range from 2% to 5.75%, and gambling winnings are considered income. It doesn’t take much – an annual income of more than $17,000 – for the highest percentage to kick in.
Breakdown of Virginia tax rates:
Whether a lucrative sports parlay bet or a winning Virginia Lottery ticket, all gambling income is considered taxable and should be reported on your federal and Virginia income tax returns. This page provides answers on how winnings for non-professional gamblers are taxed in Virginia. Tax issues can be complex, so it’s important to keep accurate records and consult a tax professional or accountant if you have questions.
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When You Win Sports Bets in Virginia
With the addition of online Virginia betting apps and brick-and-mortar casinos on the way, Virginia bettors have more opportunities to make winning bets and earn gambling profits than ever before. It also means having to pay taxes on those winnings.
Your tax rate depends on annual income and tax bracket. It’s important to consider gambling winnings when preparing your taxes because those winnings, when added to your annual income, could move you into a higher tax bracket.
Marginal tax rate is the bracket your income falls into. The effective tax rate is the actual percentage you pay after taking the standard deduction and other possible deductions. The state tax rate in Virginia ranges from 2% to 5.75%, which is the rate your gambling winnings are taxed.
Are Gambling Winnings Taxable in Virginia?
Yes, whether those came on sports bets, slot machines, pari-mutuels, poker or the lottery, those winnings are taxable. Even if the winnings were piled into your sportsbook account balance and never withdrawn, they are taxable income.
If your winnings exceed a certain threshold, federal and state taxes may be automatically withheld. In those instances, a W-2 G form will be mailed to you and the IRS by the sports betting operator where you enjoyed that gambling win.
Even if no tax was withheld and you did not receive a W-2 G form, it is still your responsibility to report all gambling income on your federal and state tax returns, according to the IRS.
What Are Virginia Gambling Tax Rates?
Gambling winnings are subject to 24% federal tax, which is automatically withheld on winnings that exceed a specific threshold (see next section for exact amounts). These rates are the same whether you're betting with a bet365 VA bonus code or at any other operator. Virginia’s state tax rates range from 2% to 5.75%. But it doesn’t take much – an annual income of more than $17,000 – for the highest percentage to kick in.
Breakdown of Virginia tax rates:
How To Claim And Report VA Gambling Winnings For Taxes
When winnings exceed a certain threshold, bettors receive a W-2 G form from the payor (online sports betting operator, casino, pari-mutuel operator, etc.), indicating the amount won and how much tax, if any, was withheld. You should expect to receive a W-2 G form if your gambling winnings exceeded any of these thresholds the previous calendar year:
- $1,200 or more from slot machines or bingo
- $600 or more from sports gambling or any pari-mutuel event (horse racing, etc.), provided the payout was at least 300 times the wager amount
- $600 or more from daily fantasy sports
- $5,000 or more from poker tournaments (reduced by buy-in amount)
Report your total gambling winnings as “Other Income’’ on Form 1040, including winnings that aren’t reported on Form W-2 G. If your winnings were non-cash prizes, such as a vacation trip or automobile, the fair market value of each prize should be reported.
Non-residents with winnings at Virginia online or in-person facilities are required to file a non-resident return if earnings exceed certain thresholds. Consult with your tax specialist.
What To Do If You Don’t Receive A Form W-2 G In Virginia
You will not receive Form W-2 G if your gambling winnings did not meet the automatic withholding threshold. If your earnings met the threshold and you did not receive a W-2 G, contact the entity that paid your winnings and request one.
Without Form W-2 G, how do you determine the amount of your annual winnings and losses? This is where record-keeping becomes so important. The IRS expects you to keep an accurate record of all betting activity and may require you to substantiate wins and losses with records and receipts.
If all of your wagers were placed online, your sportsbook or pari-mutuel operator should have a complete record of all your bets during the previous calendar year that can be accessed.
Can I Deduct Gambling Losses On My Taxes?
The answer is yes, but only if you itemize deductions on your federal tax return.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law on Dec. 22, 2017, significantly increased the amount of the standard deduction. It’s estimated that nearly 90% of households now file using the standard deduction. That means nearly 90% of taxpayers cannot deduct gambling losses.
If you itemize (use Schedule A, Form 1040), gambling losses cannot exceed winnings in any given year. So, if you had $8,000 in winnings and $10,000 in losses last year, your deduction would be limited to $8,000. The remaining $2,000 cannot be carried over.
If the IRS requests that you substantiate gambling wins and losses, the documentation you are expected to provide should include:
- Form(s) W-2 G
- Wagering tickets with dates, location and amounts won/lost; also provide names of anyone who gambled with you, if applicable
- Bank statements and canceled checks
- Any other relevant receipts, tickets or statements that show the amount of wins and losses
Virginia Lottery Taxes
Virginia Lottery prizes are subject to federal and state income taxes.
For any prize over $5,000, the Virginia Lottery automatically withholds 24% for federal taxes and 4% for state taxes. Keep in mind those withholdings are estimates and may not satisfy a winner’s tax liability, which depends on the person’s tax bracket.
Taking annuity payments of $5,000 or less instead of a lump sum will not prevent tax liability (though it could keep you in a lower tax bracket). Only the aggregate proceeds are considered.
The lottery issues Form W-2 G to the winner of any prize over $600. A copy is also sent to the IRS. The lottery does not withhold taxes or issue Form W-2 G on prizes of $600 or less.
How Are Group Lottery Wins Taxed in Virginia?
When a lottery prize is claimed by a group, each person is required to file Form 5754 (Statement by Person Receiving Gambling Winnings). All members must provide their name, photo ID, Social Security and amount of winnings. Each winning individual will receive a W-2 G form. Federal and state taxes will be deducted, if applicable. If the group wins a jackpot that offers both a cash and annuity option, all group members must choose the same option.
Taxes On Multi-State Lottery Wins
Whether you win a Virginia Lottery game or a multi-state lottery such as Powerball or Mega Millions, the same tax liability applies. That means 24% in federal taxes and up to 5.75% in Virginia taxes, whether the prize is claimed in a lump sum or annuity.
If I Don’t Report My Gambling Winnings, What Happens?
Failure to report gambling winnings may attract the attention of the IRS, which could instruct you to report them or add penalties and interest.
Keep in mind that if you received a W-2 G form detailing your gambling winnings, the IRS has a copy. If your winnings did not meet the W-2 G threshold, the IRS may not be aware, but the agency maintains that taxpayers are legally obligated to report all gambling income, whether won online or in person.
Virginia Gambling Tax FAQ
Virginia’s state tax rates range from 2% to 5.75%. But it doesn’t take much — an annual income of more than $17,000 — for the highest percentage to kick in. As for federal tax, gambling winnings are taxed at 24%, which is automatically withheld on winnings that exceed a specific threshold.
Yes, but only if you itemize deductions on your federal tax return. Because of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, it’s estimated that nearly 90% of households file using the standard deduction. If you itemize (use Schedule A, Form 1040), gambling losses cannot exceed winnings in any given year.
Yes, whether those came on sports bets, slot machines, pari-mutuels, poker or the lottery, those winnings are taxable. Even if the winnings were piled into your sportsbook account balance and never withdrawn, they are taxable income. If your winnings exceed a certain threshold, often $5,000, federal and state taxes might be automatically withheld.
References
Author
Chet Fussman is a writer for BetVirginia.com. Fussman is a former horse racing writer and longtime sports editor of the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. He's a poker and blackjack player and frequent sports bettor, who plans to send the U.S. Supreme Court a thank-you card for clearing the way for states to adopt sports wagering. Fussman's philosophy: Don't let the bad beats overshadow your winning ones.
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