Skip to content
WinningsTax

Poker tournaments winnings tax in South Carolina

South Carolina taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 1.99% to 5.21%.

Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate

$
$
$
More options
$

You keep

$15,208

Cash at payout

$18,958

Total tax

$4,792

Due when you file

$3,750

Form W-2G
Yes

$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.

Federal withholding at payout
$0

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.

Federal tax on the winnings
$3,750

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

State tax
$1,042

South Carolina taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.

South Carolina withholding at payout
$1,042

South Carolina requires the payer to hold back 5.21% for state tax.

Still to pay when you file
$3,750

Tax owed ($4,792) minus what was withheld ($1,042). Set this aside. A large balance can also mean an underpayment penalty unless you make an estimated payment.

You keep
$15,208

$20,000 minus $4,792 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 24%.

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

South Carolina tax
South Carolina taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 1.99% to 5.21%.[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
South Carolina withholding
South Carolina withholds 5.21% on poker tournament winnings of $500 or more.[3]Unverified
Gambling losses
No, starting in 2026. Act 110 replaced federal standard and itemized deductions with the South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction, so itemized gambling losses no longer carry over.[4]Unverified
Visitors
South Carolina taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[5]
Where to play
South Carolina has no casinos. Winnings from a casino trip to another state are still taxable here.[6]Unverified

What you keep at different amounts

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

WonW-2GWithheldFederal taxState taxYou keep
$1,500No$78$180$78$1,242
$2,000Yes$104$240$104$1,656
$10,000Yes$521$1,550$521$7,929
$20,000Yes$1,042$3,750$1,042$15,208
$100,000Yes$5,210$22,114$5,210$72,676

Questions

How much is South Carolina tax on poker tournament winnings?
South Carolina taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 1.99% to 5.21%.[1]Unverified
Does South Carolina withhold tax from poker tournament winnings?
South Carolina withholds 5.21% on poker tournament winnings of $500 or more.[3]Unverified
Do visitors pay South Carolina tax on poker tournament winnings?
South Carolina taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[5]

More for South Carolina

All of South Carolina's gambling tax rules · Poker tournaments in every state

Sources

  1. [1] SCDOR, Information about H.4216 · checked September 22, 2026
  2. [2] IRS, Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (01/2026) · checked September 22, 2026
  3. [3] S.C. Code 12-8-530, Withholding on cash prizes or winnings · checked September 22, 2026
  4. [4] S.C. H.4216 / Act No. 110 of 2026 · checked September 22, 2026
  5. [5] S.C. Code 59-150-230, Lottery prizes · checked September 22, 2026
  6. [6] S.C. Code Title 16, Chapter 19 (Gambling and Lotteries) · checked September 22, 2026