Poker tournaments winnings tax calculator
Tournament winnings are measured net of the buy-in. Cash game winnings are taxable too but are not reported by the casino.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$15,170
Cash at payout
$20,000
Total tax
$4,830
Due when you file
$4,830
- Form W-2G
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $0
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $3,750
- State tax
- $1,080
- Still to pay when you file
- $4,830
- You keep
- $15,170
$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.
New York taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
Tax owed ($4,830) 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 $4,830 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 24.2%.
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.
Federal rules for poker tournament winnings
- 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.[1]Unverified
- Withholding
- Poker tournament winnings aren't subject to regular withholding if the payer files a W-2G and gives you a copy.[1]Unverified
- Losses
- For 2026 on, you can deduct 90% of gambling losses, and no more than your gambling winnings. Recreational gamblers only get the deduction by itemizing on Schedule A.[2]
A $20,000 poker tournament win in every state
For a single filer with $60,000 of other income and no gambling losses, winning in their home state. Sorted by what you keep.
| State | Withheld | Federal tax | State tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $0 | $3,750 | $0 | $16,250 |
| Florida | $0 | $3,750 | $0 | $16,250 |
| Nevada | $0 | $3,750 | $0 | $16,250 |
| New Hampshire | $0 | $3,750 | $0 | $16,250 |
| South Dakota | $0 | $3,750 | $0 | $16,250 |
| Tennessee | $0 | $3,750 | $0 | $16,250 |
| Texas | $0 | $3,750 | $0 | $16,250 |
| Washington | $0 | $3,750 | $0 | $16,250 |
| Wyoming | $0 | $3,750 | $0 | $16,250 |
| North Dakota | $0 | $3,750 | $301 | $15,949 |
| Arizona | $0 | $3,750 | $500 | $15,750 |
| Ohio | $550 | $3,750 | $550 | $15,700 |
| Indiana | $0 | $3,750 | $590 | $15,660 |
| Louisiana | $0 | $3,750 | $600 | $15,650 |
| Mississippi | $600 | $3,750 | $600 | $15,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $0 | $3,750 | $614 | $15,636 |
| Kentucky | $0 | $3,750 | $700 | $15,550 |
| Arkansas | $0 | $3,750 | $740 | $15,510 |
| Rhode Island | $0 | $3,750 | $750 | $15,500 |
| Iowa | $0 | $3,750 | $760 | $15,490 |
| North Carolina | $0 | $3,750 | $798 | $15,452 |
| Michigan | $0 | $3,750 | $850 | $15,400 |
| Colorado | $0 | $3,750 | $880 | $15,370 |
| Utah | $0 | $3,750 | $890 | $15,360 |
| Oklahoma | $0 | $3,750 | $900 | $15,350 |
| West Virginia | $0 | $3,750 | $909 | $15,341 |
| Nebraska | $0 | $3,750 | $910 | $15,340 |
| Missouri | $0 | $3,750 | $940 | $15,310 |
| New Mexico | $1,200 | $3,750 | $940 | $15,310 |
| Maryland | $1,900 | $3,750 | $950 | $15,300 |
| Illinois | $0 | $3,750 | $990 | $15,260 |
| Georgia | $0 | $3,750 | $998 | $15,252 |
| Alabama | $0 | $3,750 | $1,000 | $15,250 |
| Massachusetts | $0 | $3,750 | $1,000 | $15,250 |
| Wisconsin | $0 | $3,750 | $1,001 | $15,249 |
| South Carolina | $1,042 | $3,750 | $1,042 | $15,208 |
| Connecticut | $0 | $3,750 | $1,050 | $15,200 |
| Idaho | $0 | $3,750 | $1,060 | $15,190 |
| New York | $0 | $3,750 | $1,080 | $15,170 |
| Montana | $0 | $3,750 | $1,096 | $15,154 |
| Kansas | $0 | $3,750 | $1,116 | $15,134 |
| New Jersey | $0 | $3,750 | $1,139 | $15,111 |
| Virginia | $0 | $3,750 | $1,150 | $15,100 |
| Vermont | $0 | $3,750 | $1,244 | $15,006 |
| Delaware | $0 | $3,750 | $1,286 | $14,964 |
| Maine | $0 | $3,750 | $1,350 | $14,900 |
| Minnesota | $0 | $3,750 | $1,360 | $14,890 |
| District of Columbia | $0 | $3,750 | $1,378 | $14,872 |
| Hawaii | $0 | $3,750 | $1,520 | $14,730 |
| California | $0 | $3,750 | $1,555 | $14,695 |
| Oregon | $0 | $3,750 | $1,750 | $14,500 |
Questions
- Do you get a tax form for poker tournament winnings?
- Poker tournament winnings of $2,000 or more, net of the buy-in, are reported on a W-2G. No 300x test applies.[1]Unverified
- Is tax withheld from poker tournament winnings?
- Poker tournament winnings aren't subject to regular withholding if the payer files a W-2G and gives you a copy.[1]Unverified
- Are poker tournament winnings taxable if there's no form?
- Yes. All gambling winnings are taxable income. The form only decides whether the payer tells the IRS; you report the winnings either way.[5]
Other games
Sources
- [1] IRS, Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (01/2026) · checked September 22, 2026
- [2] 26 U.S. Code § 165(d) (wagering losses) · checked September 22, 2026
- [3] IRS, Publication 505 (2026), Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax · checked September 22, 2026
- [4] IRS, Topic 419, Gambling income and losses · checked September 22, 2026
- [5] IRS, Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income · checked September 22, 2026
- [6] IRS Chief Counsel Advice 202042015 (fantasy sports) · checked September 22, 2026