Does Every State Have Same Threshold On Slot Machine Winnings

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  1. Casinos Report Certain Winnings to the IRS. Casinos, race tracks, state lotteries, bingo halls, and other gambling establishments located in the United States are required to tell the IRS if you win more than a specified dollar amount by filing a tax form called Form W2-G with the IRS. You’re given a copy of the form as well.
  2. Find out what slot machines actually returned to the public in all U.S. See which states have the best-paying casino slot games and which have the lowest-paying casino slots. Includes slot machine payback statistics for all U.S. Casino/resorts, riverboats and Indian casinos.

The IRS isn’t leaving gambling reporting to chance. It has issued new final regulations clarifying and expanding the rules for payors of slot, bingo and keno winnings. Most notably, in response to an outcry from the gambling industry, higher ...

The IRS isn’t leaving gambling reporting to chance. It has issued new final regulations clarifying and expanding the rules for payors of slot, bingo and keno winnings. Most notably, in response to an outcry from the gambling industry, higher thresholds for reporting responsibilities were retained (IRS Reg. 1.6401-10, 12/29/16).

“Commentators overwhelmingly opposed the idea of reducing these reporting thresholds. Payors opposed lowering the thresholds because it would result in more reporting, which would increase compliance burdens for the industry,” said the IRS in the regulations. “In fact, many commentators suggested that rather than reducing the current thresholds, they should be increased to account for inflation. These final regulations do not change the existing reporting thresholds for bingo, keno, and slot machine play.”

Slot machines don’t become due for a win when they haven’t paid out in a long while, and they also don’t become hot and start paying out more. Every spin is like a single coin toss or a single roll of the dice—the outcome is independent of all the outcomes prior to it. The location of the slot machine.

For taxpayers, gambling winnings are treated as taxable income on federal income tax returns, but the tax may be offset by losses up to the amount of the winnings. For example, if you win $5,000 during the year and incur losses of $4,500 in the same year, you owe tax on only $500. The losses are reported on Schedule A, but aren’t subject to the usual 2%-of-AGI floor for miscellaneous deductions.

For businesses, information reporting is required for payments of $600 or more to a taxpayer during the year. While temporary regulations had boosted the reporting thresholds for winnings from bingo games and slot machines to $1,200 and $1,500 for keno games, proposals would have lowered these amounts back to $600.

The information is reported on Form W-2G, “Certain Gambling Winnings,” which must be filed by February 28 of the following year; March 31, if filed electronically.

Now the new regulations hold the line on the reporting thresholds for bingo, slots and keno games. The regs also retained the rules, with minor modifications, on identifying information that must be provided by gamblers. In addition, they adopted an “aggregate reporting” rule, with winnings for a single gambling session being allowed as an alternative to reporting each win that exceeds the required threshold. A single session is defined as the time between a gambler placing a wager on a certain game and completing the last wager on the game before the end of the same calendar day.

The IRS also agreed to allow gambling institutions to use “gaming days” instead of calendar days for reporting periods if its use is uniform. Gaming days are generally used for other accounting purposes.

Finally, the new final regulations did not include proposed rules that applied to electronically tracked systems for slot machines. The proposed regulations required reporting for winnings at least $1,200 within a calendar day session. However, the casino industry successfully argued that the technology would not support this and that it would “chill customer use.” Count this as a win for the casinos.

Players dream of hitting a big jackpot when they play the slots. When that day comes for you, you'll have questions about the taxes you must pay on the winnings.

Hand Pay Jackpots

When you hit the winning combination of symbols for a large jackpot, your slot machine locks up. Depending on the machine, the lights on top of the machine may come on and start flashing, music may play or bells ring. A slot attendant arrives promptly to see what you have won.

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On jackpots smaller than $5,000, an attendant verifies that you hit the jackpot and then assists you in claiming your money at the cashier's cage. In the case of a large or progressive jackpot, the casino may have technicians come and check the machine to certify that it was functioning properly when the jackpot hit. If you hit one of the wide-area progressive machines such as MegaBucks, the slot company that operates the game comes out and verifies that machine before giving you a check.

When you hit a jackpot, you have the option of taking your winnings in cash or check. Usually, large amounts are paid by check. In the case of the MegaBucks or similar multi-million dollar jackpots, you receive a check for the partial amount, and then you have 90 days to decide if you want to be paid a lump sum or an annual annuity on the balance. If you select the lump sum option, you receive only a percentage of your actual winnings. For example, the full winnings of one multi-million slot jackpot is paid in 25 annual installments, or you can take a lump sum of 60 percent of the winnings.

Does Every State Have Same Threshold On Slot Machine Winnings

IRS Withholding

All casino winnings are subject to federal taxes. However, the IRS only requires the casinos to report wins over $1,200 on slots and ​video poker machines or other games such as keno, lottery or horse racing. When you have a win equal to or greater than $1200, you are issued a W-2G form. This form lists your name, address and Social Security number. The casinos are not required to take out withholding tax on jackpots under $5,000 as long you supply your Social Security number. If you don’t provide your Social Security number, the casinos withhold 28 percent on small jackpots.

You can request a specific amount of withholding tax to be taken out of any jackpot you win. Some players like to do this to avoid a big tax payment in April when they file their income tax returns. The additional withholding may not be necessary if you keep a log book. The law allows you to deduct gambling losses up to the amount of your winnings. You can only do this if you have documentation of your losses. Keeping a diary or log book is the way to do this.

Does Every State Have Same Threshold On Slot Machine Winnings Money

Proper Identification

Casinos can refuse to pay you until you produce proper identification—a photo ID such as a driver’s license, military ID or passport.

If you don’t produce an ID, you are photographed and the casino holds your winnings until you come back with proper ID. For this reason, you should always carry a valid form of identification with you when you visit the casino.

Does Every State Have Same Threshold On Slot Machine Winnings Jackpots

When the casino checks your identification, it also checks your age to make sure you are legally old enough to play. The minimum age for gambling varies from state to state, but under-age gamblers are not be paid if they hit a jackpot. This is the law in all jurisdictions, and it has been upheld in court.

Does Every State Have Same Threshold On Slot Machine Winnings Jackpot

Plan Ahead

Before you start playing your favorite slot machine you should have a plan for the day you hit a jackpot. Players become excited when they hit the big one, and this may affect the decisions you make about your winnings. It is helpful if you know ahead of time how much withholding you want taken out or whether you want a check for all or some of the amount.