by Martin Green
August 19, 2025
Last Updated on August 20, 2025 by Martin Green
Estimate your Missouri sports betting taxes for online or retail bets. Enter winnings and losses; we apply Missouri’s current platform-specific rates (educational only).
Quick links: Best Missouri Sports Betting Apps · Tax Calculators by State
Winning money in Missouri through gambling or the lottery is exciting, but taxes can take a chunk out of your prize. In Missouri, gambling and lottery winnings are taxed by both the state and the federal government. The state rate is 4%, and the federal withholding usually falls between 24% and 25%. Understanding these rules can help you avoid unpleasant surprises at tax time.
You have to report all gambling income, whether it’s from a casino, a lottery ticket, or even a raffle. Sometimes you’ll get a Form W-2G, but you’re still on the hook for reporting winnings even if you don’t receive one. If you itemize and keep good records, you might be able to deduct your losses.
Missouri treats gambling and lottery winnings as taxable income, both at the state and federal level. The type of game, your residency, and whether taxes are withheld at payout all play a role in what you’ll owe.
Any cash or prize you win through legal gambling in Missouri counts as taxable income. That means casino jackpots, Missouri Lottery prizes, sports betting payouts, daily fantasy sports (DFS) winnings, raffles, and even non-cash prizes like cars or electronics get taxed.
Casinos and sportsbooks report larger wins to the state and the IRS, but you need to report all your winnings, no matter how small. Even a $5 slot win or a scratch-off prize must go on your return.
If you score a non-cash prize, you have to report its fair market value. For example, if you win a $2,000 raffle prize, you’ll add $2,000 to your taxable income.
Keep your records straight, especially if you want to claim gambling losses as itemized deductions.
At the federal level, gambling winnings are taxed as ordinary income. Your tax rate depends on your bracket, which ranges from 10% to 37%. You’ll report winnings on Form 1040, and if you get a W-2G, you need to include those amounts.
Missouri taxes gambling winnings as part of your state income. The top Missouri income tax rate is 5.4%. Since winnings bump up your adjusted gross income, they can push you into a higher bracket.
Automatic withholding might apply. For example:
Even if no tax is withheld, you still need to report and pay. You can check forms and requirements at the IRS or the Missouri Department of Revenue.
If you live in Missouri, you need to report all gambling winnings on both your federal and state tax returns. That includes wins in Missouri and other states.
Nonresidents who win in Missouri casinos, sportsbooks, or the lottery also face Missouri state income tax. The state usually withholds 4% from nonresident winnings, and nonresidents may have to file a Missouri return to settle up.
Some states tax nonresidents on gambling income, too. If you win in another state that withholds its own tax, you might be able to claim a credit on your Missouri return to avoid double taxation. You can find more details about nonresident filing at the Missouri Department of Revenue Nonresident Information page.
Residency status is key when filing state returns. If you gamble outside Missouri, double-check whether you need to file in more than one state.
Missouri law tells casinos and the lottery to withhold state tax on certain winnings. Federal law requires 24% withholding on big wins over $5,000. These withholdings count toward your final tax bill when you file.
Not every gambling payout triggers withholding. Smaller wins might be paid in full, so you’ll need to pay the tax later. If you gamble often or have multiple wins, you might need to make estimated tax payments during the year.
To avoid underpayment penalties, make sure enough tax is withheld or send in quarterly estimated payments. This matters if your winnings push your income up significantly.
Hang on to your W-2G or 1099-MISC forms, since you’ll need them for your Missouri and federal returns. More info about estimated tax payments is available at the Missouri Estimated Tax page.
Any money or prizes you win from gambling in Missouri is taxable income. State and federal governments both expect you to report these winnings, whether they come from casinos, the state lottery, or other legal gambling. What you owe depends on your total income, filing status, and whether taxes were withheld at payout.
Yes. Missouri treats gambling winnings like wages or other income. You have to report them on your state return, and they’re taxed under the state’s graduated income tax system. The top rate is 5.4%, which kicks in if your total income hits the highest bracket.
Casinos and the Missouri Lottery often withhold 4% state income tax from larger payouts. Lottery prizes over $600.01 and casino wins of $1,200 or more usually trigger automatic withholding. Even if nothing is withheld, you still need to report and pay.
You can deduct gambling losses, but only if you itemize deductions instead of taking the standard deduction. Losses can’t exceed the total winnings you report.
Missouri doesn’t have a separate gambling tax. Instead, gambling income is added to your federal adjusted gross income and included in your Missouri taxable income. That means your winnings are taxed at the same rates as your salary or other earnings.
There’s no flat gambling tax rate in Missouri. What you pay depends on your total income bracket. For example:
Income Type | How It’s Taxed in Missouri |
---|---|
Wages | State income tax (0%-5.4%) |
Lottery Wins | State income tax (0%-5.4%) |
Casino Wins | State income tax (0%-5.4%) |
Missouri uses your federal adjusted gross income, so gambling winnings can also affect your federal tax bracket. Federal rates run from 10% to 37%, depending on your total income.
Casinos, the Missouri Lottery, and other gambling operators send out a Form W-2G or Form 1099-MISC if your winnings hit certain thresholds. These forms show both your winnings and any taxes withheld.
W-2G forms usually get triggered by:
If you win more than $5,000, they’ll usually withhold 24% federal tax. You’ll need these forms to file your taxes and get credit for any withholdings already taken. For more on tax forms, check the Missouri Department of Revenue Forms page.
Yes. If you get gambling winnings in cryptocurrency, the IRS and Missouri both treat them as taxable income. You need to report the fair market value of the crypto at the time you receive it. Later gains or losses from holding or selling the crypto count as separate taxable events.
Promo credits and free play bonuses from casinos or sportsbooks aren’t taxable when you get them. But if you use them and win money, those winnings are taxable. For example, if you win $500 using free play credits, you’ll owe taxes on the $500.
These rules apply whether you’re gambling at a Missouri casino, the state lottery, or trying your luck on regulated online platforms. Always track your winnings and keep records, since digital payouts and crypto are getting more attention from tax authorities. For more on crypto tax rules, check the IRS Virtual Currencies page.
Missouri treats gambling winnings as taxable income at both the state and federal level. How much you owe depends on your winnings, whether taxes were withheld, and where your total annual income lands in the tax brackets.
Missouri doesn’t have a flat gambling tax. Your winnings get added to your Missouri state taxable income and are taxed at the same graduated rates as your wages or salary.
For 2025, the top Missouri state income tax rate is 5.4%. This applies if your income reaches $8,704 or more. If your total income, including gambling winnings, is below that, you’ll fall into a lower bracket.
Say you make $40,000 a year and win $2,000 at a casino. Your taxable income becomes $42,000. Since that’s above the threshold, you’ll pay 5.4% on the portion above the lower brackets.
You can claim deductions, like the standard deduction or itemized deductions, to lower your taxable income and possibly reduce the rate you pay on gambling winnings. For more info, see the Missouri Individual Income Tax page.
Most areas in Missouri don’t have local or city-level income taxes on gambling winnings. Your main obligations are state and federal.
But, if you live or work in a city with an earnings tax (like Kansas City or St. Louis), those local taxes might apply to your winnings. These cities charge an extra 1% earnings tax on income, including lottery or casino prizes.
For example, if you live in St. Louis and win $10,000, you’ll owe both the state income tax (up to 5.4%) and the city’s 1% earnings tax. That’s another $100 in local tax on top of your state and federal obligations.
Always check if your city has an earnings tax, since it can nudge up what you owe. You can find more about local taxes at the St. Louis Earnings Tax and Kansas City Earnings Tax pages.
In Missouri, gambling providers have to withhold taxes on certain winnings when they go over specific thresholds.
You’ll probably get a Form W-2G or Form 1099-MISC showing your winnings and the amount withheld. These withholdings count as prepayments toward your final tax bill.
Withholding rates don’t always match your actual tax owed. For instance, if your federal tax bracket is 22% but 24% was withheld, you might get a refund. If your bracket is higher, you could owe more when you file. For more on withholding, see the Missouri Withholding Tax info page.
When you hit the Missouri Lottery jackpot, you usually get to pick between a lump sum payout or annuity payments stretched out over several years.
If you go for the lump sum, you get all the money up front, and the whole amount lands in your income for that tax year. That can easily push you right into the highest federal bracket (up to 37%) and Missouri’s top bracket (5.4%).
With an annuity, your winnings get spread out over time. This might keep you in a lower tax bracket each year, but you won’t have instant access to the full prize.
Deciding between these options affects your tax liability and your financial planning. It’s common for winners to talk to a tax pro before making the call.
Let’s look at how Missouri’s taxes play out in real life:
Example 1: Small Win
Example 2: Big Win
Example 3: Jackpot
A Missouri gambling tax calculator can give you a clearer idea of your net winnings, especially with bigger prizes. You can check the Missouri Department of Revenue for more details and tools.
You have to report all gambling and lottery winnings as taxable income, even if nobody withheld taxes when you got paid. Both the IRS and the Missouri Department of Revenue expect you to report accurately, which means using the right forms, watching deadlines, and keeping solid records. You can find official info on the Missouri Department of Revenue site and from the IRS about Form W-2G.
Casinos, lotteries, and other gambling outfits issue Form W-2G when your winnings hit certain IRS thresholds: $1,200 or more from slots or bingo, $1,500 from keno, or $5,000 from poker. Smaller wins won’t trigger a W-2G, but you still have to report them.
If you get gambling income below those thresholds, you might see a Form 1099-MISC instead, which lists “Other income.” Attach any W-2G or 1099-MISC you receive to your tax return.
On your Form 1040, report gambling winnings as “Other income” on Schedule 1 and then transfer the total to your main return. If you want to deduct gambling losses, itemize with Schedule A—but losses can’t exceed your winnings.
Any withholding on W-2G or 1099-MISC (state and federal) reduces your tax bill when you file.
Your Missouri state return starts with your federal adjusted gross income (AGI) from Form 1040. Gambling winnings get included in your AGI, so they automatically show up on your Form MO-1040 too.
If the Missouri Lottery or a casino withheld state income tax, you’ll see the amount on your W-2G or 1099-MISC. Report these withholdings on the “Missouri income tax withheld” line and attach copies of the forms to get credit.
Missouri taxes gambling winnings using the same graduated income tax rates as wages. The top rate is 5.4% for 2025. If you itemize, you might claim gambling losses on your federal Schedule A, which can affect your Missouri taxable income.
Leaving out winnings can lead to penalties and interest from the Missouri Department of Revenue. It’s just not worth the risk.
The deadline for both your federal Form 1040 and Missouri Form MO-1040 is April 15 each year, unless that’s a weekend or holiday. If you need more time, file Form 4868 for federal and Form MO-60 for Missouri to get an automatic extension. Check Missouri Department of Revenue and IRS Form 4868 for details.
Extensions let you file later, but you still have to pay by April 15. If you can’t pay in full, Missouri offers installment plans. You can pay online, by check, or through third-party services. See Missouri’s payment portal for options.
It’s on you to keep accurate records of all gambling activity, even if you never get a W-2G or 1099-MISC. The IRS lets you deduct losses only if you have proof.
Good records include:
For lottery wins, save your winning ticket stubs and any Missouri Lottery correspondence.
These records help you prove both winnings and losses, make sure your reporting is right, and protect you if the IRS or Missouri Department of Revenue asks questions. Without documentation, you can’t claim deductions or back up your income.
Even if you never get a Form W-2G, you still have to report all gambling income in Missouri. Casinos and sportsbooks only send the form in certain cases, but you’re responsible for putting your winnings on your state and federal returns. Good records and timely filing help you avoid penalties and interest.
W-2G forms only show up when winnings hit certain thresholds:
If your winnings are below these numbers, you won’t get a W-2G.
Sometimes, missing or incorrect ID info means the casino can’t issue a form, even though the win happened.
And if you win a bunch of smaller amounts, none of which hit the threshold, you still have to report them. The IRS expects all gambling income, no matter what forms you get.
No W-2G? No problem. You can still track and report your winnings using:
Keep notes with dates, amounts, and game types. The IRS wants reasonable documentation in case of an audit.
On your federal return, report gambling income on Form 1040, Schedule 1 (Other Income). For Missouri, your federal AGI flows into the state return, so reporting it federally covers your state taxes too.
You can deduct losses, but only if you itemize. Remember, losses can’t be more than your winnings.
If you think you should’ve gotten a W-2G, ask the casino or sportsbook directly. Reach out to their accounting or player services, and they’ll usually reprint or provide a statement of your winnings and withholdings.
Give them your ID and account number to speed things up. Online sportsbooks let you download annual summaries, which work as backup if a W-2G goes missing. Always double-check these numbers against your own records before filing.
If nobody withheld taxes from your winnings, you might need to make quarterly estimated payments to dodge underpayment penalties from both the IRS and Missouri. Official forms are Form 1040-ES (federal) and Form MO-1040ES (Missouri).
The IRS expects estimated payments if you’ll owe at least $1,000 after credits and withholding. Missouri uses similar rules.
You can pay online through IRS Direct Pay or Missouri’s portal. Setting aside 24% for federal and 4% for Missouri is a smart buffer. Even if you end up deducting losses, paying up front is safer than risking penalties.
You can deduct gambling losses in Missouri, but the rules are strict. Both the IRS and Missouri Department of Revenue allow deductions, but they cap what you can claim and demand solid records. Check official guidelines here.
You can only deduct gambling losses if you itemize deductions. If you use the standard deduction, gambling losses won’t lower your taxable income.
For 2025, the standard deduction is:
If your total itemized deductions (including losses, mortgage interest, medical costs, etc.) don’t beat those numbers, itemizing probably won’t help your tax bill.
You can deduct gambling losses only up to your winnings. You can’t use losses to create a net negative or offset other income.
For example:
This rule stops you from lowering your taxable income below zero with gambling activity. Losses exist only to reduce taxable winnings, not as a general deduction. Missouri and the IRS both stick to this cap. If you try to claim more than your winnings, your return will probably get flagged.
If you want to deduct losses, you’ll need to keep detailed records. The IRS expects a gambling diary with:
Digital logs, loyalty cards, or online betting account statements work as proof too.
Without documentation, the IRS can deny deductions during an audit. Just jotting things down in a notebook or spreadsheet after you play is usually fine, as long as you’re accurate.
Most folks count as casual gamblers – you play for fun. In that case, you report winnings as income, and you can deduct losses only if you itemize, and only up to the amount you won.
If you’re a professional gambler (meaning gambling is your main trade or business), things shift. You’ll report winnings and losses on Schedule C as business income and expenses. See IRS Schedule C info.
But professional status brings some risks. You might owe self-employment tax, and the IRS will take a hard look at anyone claiming to be a professional gambler. Unless this is really your main source of income, the IRS will probably treat you as a casual gambler. More from the IRS on gambling income.
Missouri taxes lottery winnings at both the state and federal level. Whether you win from scratchers, raffles, or casinos, you have to report your prize money as income, and plan for withholdings that’ll chip away at your payout.
The Missouri Lottery takes out 4% state tax on prizes over $600. This goes for both residents and nonresidents who claim prizes here. Nonresidents might need to file a Missouri state tax return to settle up with the state. Missouri tax forms
Federal withholding kicks in too. The IRS requires 24% federal withholding for lottery wins over $5,000. You could owe more when you file your annual return, especially if you’re in a higher tax bracket – the top federal rate is 37%.
Withholdings are just estimates. You might get a refund if too much was held back, or you might owe more if your bracket is higher. Always hang onto your records of winnings and taxes withheld so you can report accurately. Missouri Department of Revenue
If your prize is under $600, the Missouri Lottery won’t withhold taxes. You still have to report it on your tax returns, but you won’t see deductions when you get paid.
For prizes over $600, Missouri withholds 4% state tax. If you win more than $5,000, the lottery also takes 24% for federal taxes. You’ll get a Form W-2G showing the amount won and taxes withheld – include this with your tax filings. About Form W-2G
Big jackpots usually mean extra steps. You’ll need to go to a Missouri Lottery office, show ID, and pick how you want your money. For really large prizes, some financial and legal planning is smart if you want to handle taxes and protect your winnings.
Win a big Missouri Lottery jackpot, and you’ll pick between a lump sum or an annuity. Lump sum gives you everything up front, but taxes come out right away. This usually means a smaller total payout than the annuity – but you get the cash now.
With an annuity, you get payments spread out over 20 to 30 years. Each payment gets taxed in the year you receive it, which could keep you in a lower tax bracket than if you took it all at once.
Pros of Lump Sum:
Pros of Annuity:
This choice really depends on your financial goals, tax situation, and what you’re comfortable with.
If you gift a Missouri Lottery ticket, whoever claims the prize is the winner for tax purposes. They’re on the hook for both state and federal taxes, not you.
If you share lottery winnings, you’ll need clear documentation. When people pool money for tickets, each winner should get a Form 5754 so the prize and taxes are split right. Without it, the IRS might say one person won it all, sticking them with the taxes. IRS Form 5754 info
For really big gifts, federal gift tax rules can kick in. If you give away some of your winnings after you’ve claimed them, it might count as a taxable gift. Keep records and maybe talk to a tax pro before gifting or splitting up big prizes. IRS Gift Tax info
If you split a winning ticket, you all need to handle taxes carefully. Each winner is responsible for their share of federal and Missouri state taxes. The IRS wants to see that income divided up fairly.
If you win as a group, use IRS Form 5754. This lets the lottery know who the winners are and how much each should get. If you skip this, the lottery might put the whole prize under one name, which causes tax headaches.
Everyone listed on Form 5754 must give their legal name, Social Security number, and address. The lottery then sends out separate W-2G forms to each participant for their share.
That way, both the 24% federal withholding (for prizes over $5,000) and the 4% Missouri state withholding apply to each person’s portion. Nobody gets stuck paying taxes on the whole thing.
If you claim as a group, the lottery gives out individual W-2G forms. These report gambling income to the IRS and Missouri Department of Revenue. Each winner just files taxes on their own share.
Say four people split a $100,000 prize – each gets a W-2G for $25,000, and withholding reflects that. This keeps tax reporting simple and helps you avoid fights later.
Even if taxes are withheld, you might owe more when you file your return, depending on your total income. Keep your W-2G copies and any group agreements in case the IRS or state asks questions. Missouri Individual Income Tax info
If you’re buying tickets as a group, make a written pool agreement. List who’s in, how much each person put in, and how you’ll split any winnings.
A clear agreement proves the winnings are shared income, not a gift. Without it, the IRS might call it a taxable gift, which brings extra paperwork.
Even a quick signed note or spreadsheet helps. If you play as a group often, keep records of contributions and ticket buys to make tax time easier.
Sometimes just one person claims the prize, even though others chipped in. The lottery reports the whole amount under that person’s name, so the IRS counts it as their income.
To fix this, the main claimant needs to send Form 1099-MISC to each group member for their share. That moves the income to the right people. But the original winner is still responsible for withholding and might need to adjust things on their own tax return. About Form 1099-MISC
This is a hassle compared to just using Form 5754 from the start. If you’re in this spot, keep detailed records of who paid what and who got paid out, so you don’t get taxed on the whole prize.
Win a multi-state lottery like Powerball or Mega Millions, and more than one state might want a cut. It depends on where you bought the ticket, where you live, and if you take a lump sum or annuity. Careful reporting helps you avoid getting taxed twice.
If you buy a winning ticket in Missouri, Missouri taxes apply even if you live somewhere else. The state where you bought the ticket usually gets first crack at taxing your winnings.
For example, if you live in Kansas but buy a Powerball ticket in Missouri, Missouri will likely withhold state taxes before you get your money. Kansas might also tax you as a resident on those winnings.
Missouri’s lottery winnings get taxed at the standard state income tax rate. The Missouri Lottery usually withholds 4% for state tax and 24% for federal tax on prizes over $600. If your ticket came from another state, that state’s rules apply first, even if you live in Missouri.
So, keep good records of where you bought your ticket and how much was withheld – you’ll need that info at tax time. Missouri Department of Revenue
If both the purchase state and your home state tax your winnings, you can usually claim a credit for taxes already paid so you’re not taxed twice.
Say you live in Missouri but win a Mega Millions jackpot from an Illinois ticket. Illinois withholds state taxes first. Missouri lets you claim a credit for those taxes when you file your Missouri return.
To claim the credit, you’ll need to:
The credit can’t be more than the Missouri tax owed on that income. If the other state’s rate is higher, you can’t get the difference back.
If you pick an annuity payout for Powerball or Mega Millions, you’ll get payments over 20 to 30 years. Each year’s payment counts as income when you get it.
Missouri taxes each year’s payment, no matter where you bought the ticket. The IRS taxes each annual payment too, and usually takes out federal withholding before you get your check.
You need to report each annuity payment on your federal and state returns. Keep all your original prize statements and yearly Form W-2Gs – they show what’s taxable and what’s already been withheld.
With an annuity, you can’t prepay all your taxes. You’ll have to budget for taxes each year, and your liability might change if your other income goes up or tax rates shift. IRS W-2G info
Some states have reciprocity agreements to prevent double taxation for people earning wages across state lines, but these usually don’t cover lottery winnings.
If you live outside Missouri and win from a ticket you bought in Missouri, you’re a nonresident winner. Missouri typically withholds state tax on your prize. You’ll need to file a Missouri nonresident return to report those winnings and possibly claim a refund. You can find the nonresident return form and instructions on the Missouri Department of Revenue Forms page.
If you live in Missouri but win in another state, you might have to file a nonresident return there. Say you win on an Illinois Mega Millions ticket, you’d likely need to file in Illinois, even as a Missouri resident. Check the Illinois Department of Revenue for their forms and requirements.
Each state’s rules can be different, so it’s worth digging into the details before you assume anything. Missouri does allow credits for taxes you pay elsewhere, but you’ve got to file everything correctly in both states if you want to avoid overpaying.
If you don’t report gambling or lottery winnings, you could run into tax trouble at both the state and federal levels. Penalties for late filing, interest on unpaid taxes, and even audits can happen if your reported income doesn’t match IRS or Missouri records. It’s not worth the risk, honestly.
The IRS and Missouri Department of Revenue treat late filing and late payment as separate problems. File your return after the due date, and you might owe a failure-to-file penalty, which is usually steeper than the penalty for paying late.
File on time but don’t pay all your taxes? That triggers a failure-to-pay penalty. Interest piles up daily on whatever you still owe until it’s paid off.
For example:
Even if you can’t pay in full, filing on time cuts your penalties and shows you’re at least trying to do the right thing.
Casinos and the Missouri Lottery send out Form W-2G or 1099-MISC for certain winnings. The IRS and Missouri both get copies of these forms.
If you leave these winnings off your tax return, the IRS and state systems will flag the mismatch. You’ll probably get a CP2000 notice or a state adjustment letter laying out the unreported income and recalculated tax.
These notices usually come with extra penalties and interest. If you ignore them, you could face a full audit. It’s best to respond quickly and fix any mistakes to keep costs down.
If you realize you forgot to report gambling winnings, you can fix it by filing an amended federal return using Form 1040-X. Missouri wants an amended state return too if your federal income changes. You’ll find Missouri’s amended return forms at the official state site.
Amending your return before the IRS or state contacts you helps reduce the risk of bigger penalties.
If you can’t pay everything at once, you can ask for an installment agreement with the IRS or Missouri Department of Revenue. Payment plans let you pay over time, though interest keeps adding up until you’re paid off. Check out the IRS Payment Plan page for details, or visit Missouri’s payment options.
You can probably handle minor corrections yourself. But if you owe a lot, get an audit letter, or have a few years of unreported winnings, reaching out to a tax pro is a smart move.
A certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent, or tax attorney can help you:
It’s especially worth it if you’ve got gambling losses to deduct; the rules for those can get pretty tricky.
Yes, Missouri taxes gambling and lottery winnings as regular income. The Missouri Lottery Commission automatically withholds 4% from prizes over $600, and casinos report winnings to the state too.
Even if tax gets withheld, you still have to report the full amount of your winnings on your Missouri return. That withholding is just a prepayment and might not cover your total tax, depending on your income.
If you’re a nonresident who wins in Missouri, you’ll need to file a Missouri return and report that income. You can find the necessary forms on the Missouri Department of Revenue website.
Missouri doesn’t have a special tax rate for gambling winnings. Instead, they tax winnings under the state income tax system, just like regular wages or other taxable income.
The 4% withholding isn’t an extra tax – it’s just a partial payment toward your state income tax bill. Your final tax depends on your total income and Missouri’s tax brackets.
So, your actual state tax rate could end up higher or lower than 4%. You might owe more when you file, or you could get a refund if too much was withheld.
In Missouri, gambling and lottery winnings count as taxable income at both the state and federal levels. State law applies a flat withholding on bigger wins, and the IRS requires extra withholding for larger amounts. Using a lottery tax calculator can help you get a ballpark idea of what you’ll keep after taxes.
Missouri treats lottery winnings like any other income. You have to report them on both your federal and state tax returns. At the state level, winnings get taxed through the income tax system, with rates up to 5.4%, depending on your total taxable income. You can check the current rates and brackets at the Missouri Department of Revenue site.
Missouri automatically withholds 4% of lottery or casino winnings once you hit certain thresholds. If your win is more than $5,000, the IRS also withholds 24% federally. These are taken out before you get your payout, but your final tax bill might be different when you file.
No, there aren’t any exemptions that let you skip state or federal taxes on lottery winnings. Even small wins count as taxable income. You might reduce your taxable income if you itemize deductions for gambling losses, but you can’t deduct more than you won. The IRS explains more about this on their Gambling Winnings and Losses page.
You can use a Missouri lottery tax calculator to estimate your after-tax payout. For a $1 million prize, the state would withhold 4% ($40,000) and the federal government would withhold 24% ($240,000) upfront. Your final tax owed might be higher or lower depending on your total income and deductions.
A $5,000 win triggers a 4% state withholding, which is $200. Since the prize doesn’t exceed $5,000, federal withholding doesn’t kick in automatically. But you still have to report the winnings on your federal return, where they’ll be taxed at your income bracket rate.
Missouri taxes gambling winnings at a maximum state income tax rate of 5.4%. That’s pretty moderate when you stack it up against other states. For example, Florida and Texas skip taxing gambling winnings altogether, but New York hits you with higher state rates. The federal government keeps its rules the same everywhere, so you’ll still have to report your winnings on your federal return. If you’re curious about the specifics or want to check the latest forms, you can visit the Missouri Department of Revenue and the IRS Form W-2G page for more details.