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WinningsTax

Horse racing winnings tax in Georgia

Georgia taxes horse racing winnings as ordinary income at a flat 4.99%.

Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate

$
$
$
$
More options
$

You keep

$6,491

Cash at payout

$6,080

Total tax

$1,509

Over-withheld

$411

Form W-2G
Yes

$8,000 is at or above the $2,000 reporting threshold, so the payer files a W-2G with the IRS and gives you a copy.

Federal withholding at payout
$1,920

The payer holds back 24% of winnings over $5,000 and sends it to the IRS. It's a prepayment, not the final tax.

Federal tax on the winnings
$1,110

Winnings are ordinary income stacked on your other $60,000. Your top dollar lands in the 22% bracket.

State tax
$399

Georgia taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.

Over-withheld
$411

More was withheld than these winnings add to your tax. The difference reduces what you owe on the rest of your return, or comes back as a refund.

You keep
$6,491

$8,000 minus $1,509 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 18.9%.

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

Georgia tax
Georgia taxes horse racing winnings as ordinary income at a flat 4.99%.[1]Unverified
Federal tax form
Horse racing (pari-mutuel) winnings are reported on a W-2G when they are $2,000 or more (after subtracting the wager) and at least 300 times the wager. The threshold was $600 before 2026.[2]
Federal withholding
24% is withheld from pari-mutuel winnings of more than $5,000, but only when the win is also at least 300 times the wager.[2]
Georgia withholding
No Georgia withholding requirement for horse racing winnings. Tax is due when you file.[5]Unverified
Gambling losses
You can deduct gambling losses only if you itemize. Georgia takes itemized deductions from federal Schedule A, and you must itemize for Georgia if you itemize federally.[6]Unverified
Visitors
Georgia taxes nonresidents on horse racing winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[7]

What you keep at different amounts

For a single filer with $60,000 of other income and no gambling losses, living and winning in Georgia.

WonW-2GWithheldFederal taxState taxYou keep
$1,500No$0$180$75$1,245
$2,000Yes$0$240$100$1,660
$8,000Yes$1,920$1,110$399$6,491
$10,000Yes$2,400$1,550$499$7,951
$100,000Yes$24,000$22,114$4,990$72,896

Assumes a $2 bet amount, so the 300x test is met at every amount shown.

Questions

How much is Georgia tax on horse racing winnings?
Georgia taxes horse racing winnings as ordinary income at a flat 4.99%.[1]Unverified
Does Georgia withhold tax from horse racing winnings?
Georgia has no withholding requirement for horse racing winnings. Tax is due when you file.[5]Unverified
Do visitors pay Georgia tax on horse racing winnings?
Georgia taxes nonresidents on horse racing winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[7]

More for Georgia

All of Georgia's gambling tax rules · Horse racing in every state

Sources

  1. [1] Office of the Governor of Georgia, Gov. Kemp signs legislation lowering taxes (May 11, 2026) · checked September 22, 2026
  2. [2] IRS, Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (01/2026) · checked September 22, 2026
  3. [3] Federal Register, REG-113229-25 proposed rule (Apr. 17, 2026) · checked September 22, 2026
  4. [4] 26 U.S. Code § 3402 (withholding) · checked September 22, 2026
  5. [5] Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 560-7-8-.39 Withholding on proceeds paid by the Georgia Lottery Corporation (LII) · checked September 22, 2026
  6. [6] Georgia DOR 2025 IT-511 Individual Income Tax Booklet · checked September 22, 2026
  7. [7] Georgia DOR: Filing Residents, Nonresidents, and Part-Year Residents FAQ · checked September 22, 2026