🎯Our Mission
We built Actual Winnings because we noticed a problem: most lottery players have no idea how much they'd actually take home after taxes. The advertised jackpot numbers are exciting, but they can be misleading.
Our mission is simple: help lottery players understand exactly what they'd receive after federal and state taxes, whether they choose the lump sum or annuity option. No hidden fees, no sign-ups required—just accurate calculations based on the latest tax rates.
⭐Why Actual Winnings?
Accurate Tax Calculations
We use the latest 2026 federal tax brackets and state-specific lottery tax rates, updated regularly to reflect tax law changes.
Real-Time Jackpots
Our calculator automatically fetches the latest Powerball and Mega Millions jackpot amounts, so you're always calculating with current numbers.
All 50 States + DC
Full coverage of state lottery taxes across the United States, including states with no lottery tax and those with local/city taxes.
Mobile-First Design
Fully responsive design that works perfectly on your phone, tablet, or desktop—check your potential winnings anywhere.
Privacy-Focused
All calculations happen in your browser. We don't require accounts, and we don't store your personal financial information.
100% Free
No premium features locked behind a paywall. Everyone gets access to the same accurate calculations, completely free.
👥Our Team & Expertise
Actual Winnings was created by a team of software engineers and financial data enthusiasts who noticed that existing lottery calculators often oversimplified tax calculations or used outdated rates. We combined our expertise in web development, data engineering, and tax research to build a tool that's both accurate and easy to use.
Our tax data is sourced directly from the IRS federal tax brackets and individual state revenue department publications. We review and verify every state tax rate at the start of each tax year and whenever mid-year legislation changes rates.
51
State/DC tax rates tracked
2026
Tax year coverage
6+
Lottery games supported
📋Our Editorial Standards
- ✓Accuracy first: All tax rates are verified against official IRS publications and state revenue department sources. We cite our sources and update promptly when rates change.
- ✓Transparent methodology: We explain exactly how our calculations work (see below) so you can verify the math yourself.
- ✓No misleading claims: We clearly state that our calculations are estimates and always recommend consulting a qualified tax professional for actual winnings.
- ✓Regular updates: Jackpot amounts update automatically from official lottery data. Tax rates are reviewed each tax year. Historical drawing data is updated after every drawing.
⚙️How Our Calculator Works
Our lottery tax calculator uses a sophisticated but transparent methodology:
- 1
Jackpot Data
We fetch the latest jackpot amounts from official lottery sources, including both the advertised jackpot and the cash value option.
- 2
Federal Tax Calculation
We apply the progressive federal tax brackets to calculate your federal tax liability, accounting for the 37% top marginal rate.
- 3
State Tax Application
Based on your selected state, we apply the appropriate state lottery tax rate, including any local taxes where applicable.
- 4
Annuity Modeling
For annuity payouts, we model the 30-year payment schedule with the standard 5% annual increase, calculating taxes on each payment.
⚠️Important Disclaimer
Actual Winnings is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
While we strive to provide accurate calculations based on current tax rates, our results are estimates and should not be considered financial or tax advice. Actual tax liability may vary based on:
- Your complete financial situation and other income
- Deductions and credits you may be eligible for
- Changes in tax law
- Local taxes not accounted for in our calculator
- Professional tax planning strategies
If you win the lottery, please consult with a qualified tax professional and financial advisor before making any decisions.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
How often are jackpot amounts updated?▼
Jackpot amounts are updated automatically throughout the day. You can also pull down on the page (on mobile) or refresh to get the latest numbers immediately after a drawing.
Are the tax rates accurate?▼
We use the most current federal tax brackets for 2026 and state tax rates as published by state revenue departments. We update rates when tax laws change, typically at the start of each tax year.
Why is the cash value so much less than the jackpot?▼
The advertised jackpot is the total amount you'd receive over 30 years with the annuity option. The cash value is typically 50-60% of that amount because it's what the lottery commission actually has on hand—the rest would come from investment growth over the 30-year annuity period.
Do you support other lotteries besides Powerball and Mega Millions?▼
We currently support Powerball, Mega Millions, and select state lotteries including California SuperLotto Plus, New York Lotto, and Florida Lotto. We're working on adding more state-specific games—check back soon!
Can I use this calculator for smaller lottery prizes?▼
Our calculator is optimized for large jackpot wins where the full federal withholding and top tax brackets apply. For smaller prizes (under $5,000), withholding rules and effective tax rates may differ from our calculations.
Ready to See Your Take-Home?
Try our free lottery tax calculator and see exactly how much you'd keep.
Use the Calculator