Poker tournaments winnings tax in Georgia
Georgia taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at a flat 4.99%.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$15,252
Cash at payout
$20,000
Total tax
$4,748
Due when you file
$4,748
- Form W-2G
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $0
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $3,750
- State tax
- $998
- Still to pay when you file
- $4,748
- You keep
- $15,252
$20,000 is at or above the $2,000 reporting threshold, so the payer files a W-2G with the IRS and gives you a copy.
Poker tournaments 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 22% bracket.
Georgia taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
Tax owed ($4,748) minus what was withheld ($0). Set this aside. A large balance can also mean an underpayment penalty unless you make an estimated payment.
$20,000 minus $4,748 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 23.7%.
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
- Georgia tax
- Georgia taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at a flat 4.99%.[1]Unverified
- Federal tax form
- Poker tournament winnings of $2,000 or more, net of the buy-in, are reported on a W-2G. No 300x test applies.[2]Unverified
- Federal withholding
- Poker tournament winnings aren't subject to regular withholding if the payer files a W-2G and gives you a copy.[2]Unverified
- Georgia withholding
- No Georgia withholding requirement for poker tournament winnings. Tax is due when you file.[3]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.[4]Unverified
- Visitors
- Georgia taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[5]
- Where to play
- Georgia has no casinos. Winnings from a casino trip to another state are still taxable here.[6]
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.
| Won | W-2G | Withheld | Federal tax | State tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | No | $0 | $180 | $75 | $1,245 |
| $2,000 | Yes | $0 | $240 | $100 | $1,660 |
| $10,000 | Yes | $0 | $1,550 | $499 | $7,951 |
| $20,000 | Yes | $0 | $3,750 | $998 | $15,252 |
| $100,000 | Yes | $0 | $22,114 | $4,990 | $72,896 |
Questions
- How much is Georgia tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Georgia taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at a flat 4.99%.[1]Unverified
- Does Georgia withhold tax from poker tournament winnings?
- Georgia has no withholding requirement for poker tournament winnings. Tax is due when you file.[3]Unverified
- Do visitors pay Georgia tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Georgia taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[5]
More for Georgia
All of Georgia's gambling tax rules · Poker tournaments in every state
Sources
- [1] Office of the Governor of Georgia, Gov. Kemp signs legislation lowering taxes (May 11, 2026) · checked September 22, 2026
- [2] IRS, Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (01/2026) · checked September 22, 2026
- [3] Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 560-7-8-.39 Withholding on proceeds paid by the Georgia Lottery Corporation (LII) · checked September 22, 2026
- [4] Georgia DOR 2025 IT-511 Individual Income Tax Booklet · checked September 22, 2026
- [5] Georgia DOR: Filing Residents, Nonresidents, and Part-Year Residents FAQ · checked September 22, 2026
- [6] Covers, Legal sports betting in the US · checked September 22, 2026