Daily fantasy sports winnings tax in California
California taxes daily fantasy winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 1% to 13.3%.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$4,065
Cash at payout
$5,000
Total tax
$935
Due when you file
$935
- Form 1099-MISC
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $0
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $600
- State tax
- $335
- Still to pay when you file
- $935
- You keep
- $4,065
Daily fantasy sites report net winnings of $2,000 or more for the year on a 1099-MISC.
Daily fantasy sports winnings aren't subject to regular federal withholding, whatever the amount. Tax is still owed when you file. If you don't give the payer your Social Security number, 24% backup withholding applies.
Winnings are ordinary income stacked on your other $60,000. Your top dollar lands in the 12% bracket.
California taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
Tax owed ($935) minus what was withheld ($0). Set this aside. A large balance can also mean an underpayment penalty unless you make an estimated payment.
$5,000 minus $935 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 18.7%.
An estimate for 2026, not tax advice. It treats this win as your only gambling income for the year and leaves out local income taxes. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.
The rules
- California tax
- California taxes daily fantasy winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 1% to 13.3%.[1]Unverified
- Federal tax form
- Daily fantasy sites generally report net winnings of $2,000 or more for the year on Form 1099-MISC, not a W-2G. The 1099-MISC threshold was $600 before 2026.[2]Unverified
- Federal withholding
- Fantasy sites don't withhold federal tax from winnings in practice.[2]Unverified
- California withholding
- California withholds 7% for nonresidents on daily fantasy winnings over $1,500.[3]
- Gambling losses
- You can deduct losses as a California itemized deduction, up to your winnings. Losses on California Lottery tickets are not deductible.[4]
- Visitors
- California taxes nonresidents on daily fantasy winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[3]
What you keep at different amounts
For a single filer with $60,000 of other income and no gambling losses, living and winning in California.
| Won | 1099-MISC | Withheld | Federal tax | State tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | No | $0 | $180 | $90 | $1,230 |
| $2,000 | Yes | $0 | $240 | $120 | $1,640 |
| $5,000 | Yes | $0 | $600 | $335 | $4,065 |
| $10,000 | Yes | $0 | $1,550 | $735 | $7,715 |
| $100,000 | Yes | $0 | $22,114 | $8,995 | $68,891 |
Questions
- How much is California tax on daily fantasy winnings?
- California taxes daily fantasy winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 1% to 13.3%.[1]Unverified
- Does California withhold tax from daily fantasy winnings?
- California withholds 7% for nonresidents on daily fantasy winnings over $1,500.[3]
- Do visitors pay California tax on daily fantasy winnings?
- California taxes nonresidents on daily fantasy winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[3]
More for California
All of California's gambling tax rules · Daily fantasy sports in every state
Sources
- [1] FTB, 2025 California Form 540 Booklet (Tax Rate Schedules) · checked September 22, 2026
- [2] IRS, Instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC (2026) · checked September 22, 2026
- [3] FTB - Withholding on nonresidents · checked September 22, 2026
- [4] FTB - Gambling · checked September 22, 2026