What to Know About Gambling Rates

When an individual has winnings from legal gambling in the United States, they would be subject to Federal taxes on gambling winnings. The individual may deduct any provable loses from their winnings before applying the tax rate. Gambling winnings are also likely to be taxed in the state where the gambling took place.

The United States government also imposes an excise tax on all forms of gambling. The excise tax is usually imposed at a rate of %.25 percent of the total wager. In addition, winnings are also taxable, but at a different tax rate.


Individuals that must pay taxes on gambling should receive a copy of form W-2G. That form will include information such as any taxes that were already withheld from the winnings. For example, casinos will withhold a portion of winnings as a payment toward taxes. The amount of winnings required to be reported, will vary in each state. On the Federal level, winnings of one thousand and two hundred dollars must be reported on slot machines. However, the amount can be reduced by subtracting losses, including the wager required to incur the winning.


There are limits for each type of gambling at which point the casino, or gaming house, must withhold a portion of winnings as taxes. Prizes with a cash value are also subject to taxes on gambling winnings. Most gambling winnings are subject to a withholding at a federal tax rate of twenty five percent.

Certain prizes with a cash value, are subject to a withholding at a Federal tax rate of thirty three percent. That rate applies if the casino pays the tax. The tax rate of twenty five percent applies if the winner pays the tax immediately to the casino or other gaming hall.

In certain circumstances, the taxes on gambling winnings are withheld if the total winnings, after deductions for losses, exceeds five thousand dollars. Gamblers may have up to twenty eight percent of their winnings withheld in certain circumstances.

For example, winners that do not have the proper documentation necessary for tax forms, such as identification, would be subject to the withholding at a tax rate of twenty eight percent. The added tax rate is considered a backup withholding in case the taxpayer does not meet their obligations on their taxes on gambling winnings.

The rules that regulate taxes on gambling winnings can be rather complex. Winnings at casinos are generally taxed immediately by the casino, if the winnings exceed the federal threshold. However, the winner must be sure to meet their state's taxes on gambling winnings responsibility. Each state is likely to have a different tax rate for winnings. Gamblers are required to report all winnings, no matter how small, when they file their income taxes.

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