Horse racing winnings tax in Virginia
Virginia taxes horse racing winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 2% to 5.75%.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$6,430
Cash at payout
$6,080
Total tax
$1,570
Over-withheld
$350
- Form W-2G
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $1,920
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $1,110
- State tax
- $460
- Over-withheld
- $350
- You keep
- $6,430
$8,000 is at or above the $2,000 reporting threshold, so the payer files a W-2G with the IRS and gives you a copy.
The payer holds back 24% of winnings over $5,000 and sends it to the IRS. It's a prepayment, not the final tax.
Winnings are ordinary income stacked on your other $60,000. Your top dollar lands in the 22% bracket.
Virginia taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
More was withheld than these winnings add to your tax. The difference reduces what you owe on the rest of your return, or comes back as a refund.
$8,000 minus $1,570 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 19.6%.
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
- Virginia tax
- Virginia taxes horse racing winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 2% to 5.75%.[1]
- Federal tax form
- Horse racing (pari-mutuel) winnings are reported on a W-2G when they are $2,000 or more (after subtracting the wager) and at least 300 times the wager. The threshold was $600 before 2026.[2]
- Federal withholding
- 24% is withheld from pari-mutuel winnings of more than $5,000, but only when the win is also at least 300 times the wager.[2]
- Virginia withholding
- No Virginia withholding requirement for horse racing winnings. Tax is due when you file.[5]Unverified
- Gambling losses
- You can deduct losses, up to your winnings, only as an itemized deduction on Virginia Schedule A, and only if you itemized on your federal return.[7]Unverified
- Visitors
- Virginia taxes nonresidents on horse racing winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[8]
What you keep at different amounts
For a single filer with $60,000 of other income and no gambling losses, living and winning in Virginia.
| Won | W-2G | Withheld | Federal tax | State tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | No | $0 | $180 | $86 | $1,234 |
| $2,000 | Yes | $0 | $240 | $115 | $1,645 |
| $8,000 | Yes | $1,920 | $1,110 | $460 | $6,430 |
| $10,000 | Yes | $2,400 | $1,550 | $575 | $7,875 |
| $100,000 | Yes | $24,000 | $22,114 | $5,750 | $72,136 |
Assumes a $2 bet amount, so the 300x test is met at every amount shown.
Questions
- How much is Virginia tax on horse racing winnings?
- Virginia taxes horse racing winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 2% to 5.75%.[1]
- Does Virginia withhold tax from horse racing winnings?
- Virginia has no withholding requirement for horse racing winnings. Tax is due when you file.[5]Unverified
- Do visitors pay Virginia tax on horse racing winnings?
- Virginia taxes nonresidents on horse racing winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[8]
More for Virginia
All of Virginia's gambling tax rules · Horse racing 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] Federal Register, REG-113229-25 proposed rule (Apr. 17, 2026) · checked September 22, 2026
- [4] 26 U.S. Code § 3402 (withholding) · checked September 22, 2026
- [5] Virginia Lottery, How To Claim a Prize · checked September 22, 2026
- [6] Virginia Income Tax Withholding Guide for Employers · checked September 22, 2026
- [7] Virginia 2025 Schedule A Instructions · checked September 22, 2026
- [8] Va. Code § 58.1-302, Income and deductions from Virginia sources · checked September 22, 2026