Georgia Gambling Winnings Tax Calculator: GA Gambling Tax Laws Explained

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Calculating our gambling taxes and mandatory taxable income can be a daunting and complicated process. Thankfully we are here to help with information on Georgia state taxes and we have a tax calculator to help you work out your exact federal income tax return pending.

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Georgia Gambling Tax Calculator

When calculating your gambling income and Georgia gambling taxes using our Georgia tax calculator, simply fill in your details such as your relationship status, your total annual taxable income and the amount of money you've won from gambling. Hit that "Calculate Total After Taxes." button and see what the damage is.

We need to pay taxes on gambling in Georgia when we win over a certain threshold, whether we are betting recreationally or professionally. How much Georgia gambling winning taxes we pay will depend on the tax bracket we are in so it's a good idea to keep a gambling log. The highest income tax rate for Georgians is 5.75%. Your federal tax payable depends on how much you earn, where at the low end of the tax bracket you pay 10% federal tax, or those at the high end pay 37%.

Are Gambling Winnings Taxable in Georgia?

Like other state taxes, Georgia considers gambling winnings as personal taxable income, as does the IRS. When you collect gambling income from net winnings, you increase your overall income and must pay taxes on your worth. You can potentially vault yourself into higher tax brackets as well, affecting your gambling tax GA rate.

Gambling tax in Georgia applies to slot machines, the lottery, a parlay with a big return in sports betting, or even a winning Georgia State Lottery ticket. All should be reported on your GA federal and income tax returns.

What are the Gambling Tax Rates in Georgia?

In Georgia, state taxes range from 1% to 5.75% and only the lowest earners pay less than 5.75% income tax. People in the lowest tax brackets pay 10% federal income tax, while those in the highest pay 37%. For Georgia gambling wins, tax falls under income tax. Below is a table of tax to pay if your Georgia taxable income falls in the bracket applicable.

Taxable Net IncomeTax Rate
0 - $7501%
$750 - $22502%
$2250 - $37503%
$3750 - $52504%
$5250 - $7,0005%
$7,000 or more5.75%

How to Claim and Report Georgia Gambling Winnings for Taxes

When you file your federal tax return in Georgia, you must include the amount of income including your gambling wins in form 1040. The Georgia law says gamblers must file the total amount they win in their federal income taxes. Look out for a W-2G form in the post which will be issued to you automatically with all your details after a significant win. This form shows how much money you've earned and how much you will pay (or have paid) in GA gambling tax and other miscellaneous income. You must always report your gambling winnings, and losses too if you wish to claim some money back.

There is a W-2G form threshold, meaning you must win a minimum amount while gambling to receive this form, or there is no tax payable. Typical thresholds are below:

  • $600 and above from the Lottery.
  • $600 and above for other types of gambling.
  • $1,200 and above while playing bingo.

What to Do if You Do Not Receive a w-2G Form in Georgia?

If you don't receive a W-2G form, you can still report any mandatory gambling winnings on your returns and you may have to fill one out at some stage. The thresholds bettors will need to hit before they are required to fill out one of these forms are above. Be sure to keep updated records of all gambling activity in a gambling log just in case.

Can I Deduct Gambling Losses in Georgia?

It is possible to deduct losses from gambling income on your tax return if you itemize all of your deductions, and use a tax form 1040, obtainable from the IRS website. The losses you deduct can't exceed your income from all forms of gambling, including the following listed below:

  • Slot Machines and casino games
  • Sports Betting
  • Poker Tournaments or Keno
  • Betting Pools
  • Bingo or Raffles
  • Horse & Dog Racing
  • Lottery winnings

Georgia gambling losses must be calculated separately and expenses such as travel costs are not written off as losses, like a freelancer would do with their expenses. Deducting losses in your tax return will mostly be of benefit to professional gamblers.

Georgia Lottery Taxes

If you win playing the Georgia Lottery your winnings are taxable both to federal and state income taxes. Lottery winnings are treated as income in the United States and the Georgia Lottery is the most popular legal form of gambling in the state. Most gambling tax in Georgia comes from the lottery, and the Georgia Lottery Corp sees to that.

You don't have to pay tax on any prize up to a threshold of $600 in the Lottery, but you must report your winnings to the IRS if you win a substantial amount up to $5,000. You will be issued a W-2G form automatically to complete with your tax returns. Any larger sum of money won and the Internal Revenue Service will also be automatically sent a copy of your W-2G form so be sure to be compliant with gambling tax Georgia laws: A federal tax of 24% will be taken from all prizes above $5,000, or if you win the jackpot, the top federal tax rate of 37% will apply. Steamy, I know.

How Are Group Lottery Wins Taxed in Georgia

If you are part of a lottery pool and win a large prize, you are required to pay taxes on your winnings individually. Each group member must report and pay taxable winnings when filing their returns. This is easy in some states like GA, as there are methods in place so members of a lottery pool can claim individually. In these cases, the prize money will be paid directly to each member of the pool rather than one recipient, and the appropriate taxes will be withheld at the point of payment.

Taxes on Multi-State Lottery Wins

If we are playing multi-state lotteries and games like Powerball or Mega Millions, a federal tax is payable on winnings greater than $5,000. Many states also apply their own state taxes and rates on top of this and some also levy a local tax on Lottery winnings. It will also depend on your personal circumstances as to how much tax is payable in addition to these federal taxes. You can of course use our Georgia gambling winnings tax calculator to help give you an estimate on this figure.

What Happens If I Don’t Report My Gambling Winnings?

Gambling taxes must be paid in the state of Georgia. You must report all your gambling winnings to avoid legal action. The larger unreported winnings are the more severe the penalties. You could be subject to a fine imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if you fail to file a tax return that includes accurate info about your gambling winnings. If you do need to pay taxes as a result of your gambling, use our Georgia gambling tax calculator to help you.

Additional taxes, fines and/or interest can mount if you don't pay. A form W-2G reflecting your gambling winnings will be sent out to you so if you don't declare your income from gambling you may be issued an income notice from the IRS and incur additional penalties. If the Georgia Department of Revenue had already received a report of your winnings you may be subject to a tax audit and no one wants that.

Georgia Gambling Winnings Tax Final Thoughts

Our article on gambling Tax GA, the laws, and our Georgia gambling tax calculator is here to guide you in filing your income tax returns that include winnings from gambling in the state of Georgia. We go over the different forms of gambling in the state and the income tax returns applicable. Our guide helps you with your estimates, but facts and figures should never be taken as gospel and it's always smart to get a professional in to help advise you with your Georgia tax return if you're unsure.

Georgia Gambling Taxes FAQs

Author

Bryan Nicholson

Bryan Nicholson has a strong pedigree in sports betting and poker with vast experience working with variance and assessing probabilities. Bryan is the author of multiple books on sports betting including Hypnotised by Numbers and Angles and Edges. He is predominantly a golf betting expert who gladly expands his expertise into covering other top markets like hockey and football, and expect to see Bryan writing educational pieces from time to time as well.

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