Poker tournaments winnings tax in Rhode Island
Rhode Island taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 3.75% to 5.99%.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$15,500
Cash at payout
$20,000
Total tax
$4,500
Due when you file
$4,500
- Form W-2G
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $0
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $3,750
- State tax
- $750
- Still to pay when you file
- $4,500
- You keep
- $15,500
$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.
Rhode Island taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
Tax owed ($4,500) 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 $4,500 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 22.5%.
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
- Rhode Island tax
- Rhode Island taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 3.75% to 5.99%.[1]
- 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
- Rhode Island withholding
- No Rhode Island withholding requirement for poker tournament winnings. Tax is due when you file.[3]Unverified
- Gambling losses
- No. Rhode Island does not allow federal itemized deductions, so you can't deduct gambling losses unless you gamble professionally.[4]
- Visitors
- Rhode Island taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[5]
- Where to play
- Rhode Island has casinos, and online casino gaming is legal.[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 Rhode Island.
| Won | W-2G | Withheld | Federal tax | State tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | No | $0 | $180 | $56 | $1,264 |
| $2,000 | Yes | $0 | $240 | $75 | $1,685 |
| $10,000 | Yes | $0 | $1,550 | $375 | $8,075 |
| $20,000 | Yes | $0 | $3,750 | $750 | $15,500 |
| $100,000 | Yes | $0 | $22,114 | $4,365 | $73,521 |
Questions
- How much is Rhode Island tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Rhode Island taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 3.75% to 5.99%.[1]
- Does Rhode Island withhold tax from poker tournament winnings?
- Rhode Island has no withholding requirement for poker tournament winnings. Tax is due when you file.[3]Unverified
- Do visitors pay Rhode Island tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Rhode Island taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[5]
More for Rhode Island
All of Rhode Island's gambling tax rules · Poker tournaments in every state
Sources
- [1] Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 · checked September 22, 2026
- [2] IRS, Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (01/2026) · checked September 22, 2026
- [3] 280-RICR-20-55-8, Lottery and Pari-Mutuel Winnings and Prizes · checked September 22, 2026
- [4] 2025 RI-1040 Instructions (RI Division of Taxation) · checked September 22, 2026
- [5] 2025 RI-1040NR Instructions (RI Division of Taxation) · checked September 22, 2026
- [6] American Gaming Association, Rhode Island Gaming Regulatory Fact Sheet (2025) · checked September 22, 2026