Poker tournaments winnings tax in Virginia
Virginia taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 2% to 5.75%.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$15,100
Cash at payout
$20,000
Total tax
$4,900
Due when you file
$4,900
- Form W-2G
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $0
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $3,750
- State tax
- $1,150
- Still to pay when you file
- $4,900
- You keep
- $15,100
$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.
Virginia taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
Tax owed ($4,900) 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 $4,900 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 24.5%.
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 taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 2% to 5.75%.[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
- Virginia withholding
- No Virginia withholding requirement for poker tournament winnings. Tax is due when you file.[3]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.[5]Unverified
- Visitors
- Virginia taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[6]
- Where to play
- Virginia has casinos.[7]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.
| 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 |
| $10,000 | Yes | $0 | $1,550 | $575 | $7,875 |
| $20,000 | Yes | $0 | $3,750 | $1,150 | $15,100 |
| $100,000 | Yes | $0 | $22,114 | $5,750 | $72,136 |
Questions
- How much is Virginia tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Virginia taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 2% to 5.75%.[1]
- Does Virginia withhold tax from poker tournament winnings?
- Virginia has no withholding requirement for poker tournament winnings. Tax is due when you file.[3]Unverified
- Do visitors pay Virginia tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Virginia taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[6]
More for Virginia
All of Virginia'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] Virginia Lottery, How To Claim a Prize · checked September 22, 2026
- [4] Virginia Income Tax Withholding Guide for Employers · checked September 22, 2026
- [5] Virginia 2025 Schedule A Instructions · checked September 22, 2026
- [6] Va. Code § 58.1-302, Income and deductions from Virginia sources · checked September 22, 2026
- [7] Virginia Lottery, Casinos and Sports Betting · checked September 22, 2026