Poker tournaments winnings tax in Wisconsin
Wisconsin taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 3.5% to 7.65%.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$15,249
Cash at payout
$20,000
Total tax
$4,751
Due when you file
$4,751
- Form W-2G
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $0
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $3,750
- State tax
- $1,001
- Still to pay when you file
- $4,751
- You keep
- $15,249
$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.
Wisconsin taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
Tax owed ($4,751) 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 $4,751 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 23.8%.
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
- Wisconsin tax
- Wisconsin taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 3.5% to 7.65%.[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
- Wisconsin withholding
- No Wisconsin withholding requirement for poker tournament winnings. Tax is due when you file.[3]
- Gambling losses
- No. Wisconsin allows no deduction for gambling losses, even if you itemize. If you keep records, the session method lets you report only net gains from winning sessions.[3]
- Visitors
- Wisconsin taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[3]
- Where to play
- Wisconsin has casinos.[4]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 Wisconsin.
| Won | W-2G | Withheld | Federal tax | State tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | No | $0 | $180 | $66 | $1,254 |
| $2,000 | Yes | $0 | $240 | $88 | $1,672 |
| $10,000 | Yes | $0 | $1,550 | $471 | $7,979 |
| $20,000 | Yes | $0 | $3,750 | $1,001 | $15,249 |
| $100,000 | Yes | $0 | $22,114 | $5,241 | $72,645 |
Questions
- How much is Wisconsin tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Wisconsin taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 3.5% to 7.65%.[1]
- Does Wisconsin withhold tax from poker tournament winnings?
- Wisconsin has no withholding requirement for poker tournament winnings. Tax is due when you file.[3]
- Do visitors pay Wisconsin tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Wisconsin taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[3]
More for Wisconsin
All of Wisconsin'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] Wisconsin Publication 600, Taxation of Gambling Income (03/26) · checked September 22, 2026
- [4] WPR, online sports betting for Wisconsin tribes (AB 601) · checked September 22, 2026