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WinningsTax

Lottery winnings tax in Virginia

Virginia Lottery prizes under $600 are exempt. Prizes of $600 or more are fully taxable, and other states' lottery prizes get no exemption.

Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate

$
$
$
$
More options
$

You keep

$36,775

Cash at payout

$36,000

Total tax

$13,225

Over-withheld

$775

Form W-2G
Yes

$50,000 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
$12,000

The payer holds back 24% of winnings over $5,000 and sends it to the IRS. It's a prepayment, not the final tax.

Federal tax on the winnings
$10,350

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

State tax
$2,875

Virginia taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.

Virginia withholding at payout
$2,000

Virginia requires the payer to hold back 4% for state tax.

Over-withheld
$775

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.

You keep
$36,775

$50,000 minus $13,225 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 26.5%.

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

Virginia tax
Virginia Lottery prizes under $600 are exempt. Prizes of $600 or more are fully taxable, and other states' lottery prizes get no exemption.[1]
Federal tax form
Lottery prizes of $2,000 or more that are at least 300 times the ticket price are reported on a W-2G. The threshold was $600 before 2026.[2]
Federal withholding
24% is withheld from lottery prizes of more than $5,000 (minus the ticket price). No 300x test applies to lotteries.[4]
Virginia withholding
Virginia withholds 4% on lottery winnings over $5,000.[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 lottery winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[8]
Where to play
Virginia runs a state lottery.[9]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 Virginia.

WonW-2GWithheldFederal taxState taxYou keep
$1,500No$0$180$86$1,234
$2,000Yes$0$240$115$1,645
$10,000Yes$2,800$1,550$575$7,875
$50,000Yes$14,000$10,350$2,875$36,775
$100,000Yes$28,000$22,114$5,750$72,136

Assumes a $2 ticket price, so the 300x test is met at every amount shown.

Questions

How much is Virginia tax on lottery winnings?
Virginia Lottery prizes under $600 are exempt. Prizes of $600 or more are fully taxable, and other states' lottery prizes get no exemption.[1]
Does Virginia withhold tax from lottery winnings?
Virginia withholds 4% on lottery winnings over $5,000.[5]Unverified
Do visitors pay Virginia tax on lottery winnings?
Virginia taxes nonresidents on lottery winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[8]

More for Virginia

All of Virginia's gambling tax rules · Lottery in every state

Sources

  1. [1] 23VAC10-140-281, Income taxation of lottery prizes · checked September 22, 2026
  2. [2] IRS, Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (01/2026) · checked September 22, 2026
  3. [3] Federal Register, REG-113229-25 proposed rule (Apr. 17, 2026) · checked September 22, 2026
  4. [4] 26 U.S. Code § 3402 (withholding) · checked September 22, 2026
  5. [5] Virginia Lottery, How To Claim a Prize · checked September 22, 2026
  6. [6] Virginia Income Tax Withholding Guide for Employers · checked September 22, 2026
  7. [7] Virginia 2025 Schedule A Instructions · checked September 22, 2026
  8. [8] Va. Code § 58.1-302, Income and deductions from Virginia sources · checked September 22, 2026
  9. [9] Virginia Lottery, Casinos and Sports Betting · checked September 22, 2026