California Lottery Tax Calculator: Powerball & Mega Millions After Taxes

California applies no state tax to this prize, so the only tax you will owe is federal — 24% withheld up front, with the real bill running to the 37% top bracket once you file. The calculator below works out exactly what a Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot nets you after that.

Jackpot Amount ($)

Your State

Filing Status

What a Jackpot Pays After Taxes in California

The table below runs California's rate (0%) against six common jackpot sizes, using an assumed cash value of 60% of the advertised jackpot (an estimate for comparison — the real cash value is set by each drawing's prize pool and interest rates, and was about 41% in October 2026) and federal brackets as the calculator above.

Advertised Jackpot	Est. Cash Value (60% assumption)	Federal Tax	California Tax	Take-Home Cash	Annuity Take-Home (30 payments, total)
$1.0M	$600,000	$180,375	$0	$419,625	$886,960
$10.0M	$6.0M	$2.2M	$0	$3.8M	$7.4M
$50.0M	$30.0M	$11.1M	$0	$18.9M	$32.8M
$100.0M	$60.0M	$22.2M	$0	$37.8M	$64.3M
$500.0M	$300.0M	$111.0M	$0	$189.0M	$316.3M
$1.00B	$600.0M	$222.0M	$0	$378.0M	$631.3M

Single filer, 2024 federal tax brackets. Estimates, not tax advice.

How California Compares

California ranks #39 highest of 46 jurisdictions that sell Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, by top state tax rate on lottery winnings (ties share a rank). Here is how the states that actually border California compare, including which ones do not sell these games at all:

State	State Rate	Notes
Arizona	4.54%
Nevada	—	No Powerball or Mega Millions sold
Oregon	9.90%

Where you buy the ticket decides which state withholds first, but your home state generally taxes the prize as well. For reference, these states charge no state tax on lottery prizes (federal tax still applies): California, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming.

California Lottery Tax Rules

California has an income tax but exempts California Lottery prizes — including Powerball and Mega Millions tickets bought in the state — so the state rate is 0%.

Beyond California's own rate, two federal rules apply to every winner everywhere: the lottery withholds 24% of any prize over $5,000 before you ever see the check, and because a jackpot-sized win pushes you into the 37% top federal bracket, you will owe more when you file — the withholding is a down payment, not the final bill. Where you live matters too: winnings are taxed first by the state where the ticket was sold, and generally by your home state as well if it is different, though most states that tax income give a credit for tax already paid elsewhere so you are not charged twice on the same dollar. Exactly how that credit works varies by state, and California's own rate can change whenever its legislature changes the state's tax code — treat the number on this page as current, not permanent.

For more detail on the math behind these numbers, see our guides on how much you actually keep after taxes and which states let you keep the most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does California tax lottery winnings?

No. California charges no state tax on lottery prizes, so a Powerball or Mega Millions winner here owes federal tax only.

How much would I keep from a $1 million prize in California?

Taking the cash option on a $1,000,000 jackpot in California, you would keep approximately $419,625 after federal and state tax — see the worked example above for the math.

Lump sum or annuity in California?

The choice does not depend on which state you are in — the cash option is a smaller lump sum set by each drawing's prize pool and interest rates — about 41% of the advertised jackpot in October 2026; the examples on this page assume 60% paid immediately, while the annuity pays the full amount over 30 years. The tax rate in California applies to both, so compare the take-home figures above for your own situation.

What if I live in another state but bought the ticket in California?

California charges no state tax on the prize, so the only tax withheld there is federal. Your home state may still tax the winnings under its own rules — check with a tax professional.

Lottery Taxes in Other States

Every state's rate is different. Pick any of these for its own page with worked examples:

Arizona Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico (Powerball)

Where to Go Next

Lottery tax calculator — try another jackpot size or filing status.
Powerball analysis and Mega Millions — draw frequencies and statistics.
Odds calculator — how unlikely it actually is to owe any of this.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only, not tax advice. Actual tax liability depends on your complete financial situation, deductions, filing status, and the tax law in effect when you file; consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation. This page was last reviewed 2026-10-07.