Poker tournaments winnings tax in Utah
Utah taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at a flat 4.45%.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$15,360
Cash at payout
$20,000
Total tax
$4,640
Due when you file
$4,640
- Form W-2G
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $0
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $3,750
- State tax
- $890
- Still to pay when you file
- $4,640
- You keep
- $15,360
$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.
Utah taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
Tax owed ($4,640) 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 $4,640 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 23.2%.
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.
The rules
- Utah tax
- Utah taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at a flat 4.45%.[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
- Utah withholding
- No Utah withholding requirement for poker tournament winnings. Tax is due when you file.[3]Unverified
- Gambling losses
- Effectively no. Utah has no itemized deduction; federal itemized deductions, including gambling losses, count only toward a small nonrefundable credit worth 6% of them that phases out as income rises.[4]
- Visitors
- Utah does not tax nonresidents on poker tournament winnings. Visitors owe tax to their home state instead.[3]Unverified
- Where to play
- Utah has no casinos. Winnings from a casino trip to another state are still taxable here.[3]
What you keep at different amounts
For a single filer with $60,000 of other income and no gambling losses, living and winning in Utah.
| Won | W-2G | Withheld | Federal tax | State tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | No | $0 | $180 | $67 | $1,253 |
| $2,000 | Yes | $0 | $240 | $89 | $1,671 |
| $10,000 | Yes | $0 | $1,550 | $445 | $8,005 |
| $20,000 | Yes | $0 | $3,750 | $890 | $15,360 |
| $100,000 | Yes | $0 | $22,114 | $4,450 | $73,436 |
Questions
- How much is Utah tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Utah taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at a flat 4.45%.[1]
- Does Utah withhold tax from poker tournament winnings?
- Utah has no withholding requirement for poker tournament winnings. Tax is due when you file.[3]Unverified
- Do visitors pay Utah tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Utah does not tax nonresidents on poker tournament winnings. Visitors owe tax to their home state instead.[3]Unverified
More for Utah
All of Utah's gambling tax rules · Poker tournaments in every state
Sources
- [1] EY Tax News, Utah law lowers state income tax rate retroactive to January 1, 2026 · checked September 22, 2026
- [2] IRS, Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (01/2026) · checked September 22, 2026
- [3] Utah Constitution Art. VI, Sec. 27 · checked September 22, 2026
- [4] 2025 Utah TC-40 Instructions · checked September 22, 2026