The Washington state Powerball jackpot winner of $754.6 million has been asked to remain anonymous while they collect their prize and make preparations for how to handle their fortune. Being anonymous is a viable option because sudden fame can attract prying eyes from authorities, con artists, and even well-meaning friends and family. Scammers may ask for personal or financial information or a fee to claim a prize, and they may even use the names and logos of legitimate lotteries to make their operation seem credible. Do not send money or accept a collect call from anyone claiming to be associated with the lottery.
The winner should immediately seek the advice of a tax attorney, a tax accountant, and a financial advisor. An annuity or a lump sum of cash may be selected by the professionals working on the plan. The cash option is a single, lump sum payment, while the annuity option provides an initial annual payment followed by 29 annual payments, each of which is 5% larger than the one before it. A "fall guy" or advisor should be included in the plan to prevent the winner from making loans to anyone by claiming the money is invested and unavailable.
Whether a lottery winner opts for a lump sum or periodic payments is a personal decision based on factors like their age, financial situation, and the lottery's rules for continuing payments to beneficiaries. One's current and projected income, as well as their ability to earn money and tax rates over the course of their lifetime, should be taken into account when calculating taxes owed and financial security in the event of a lottery win.
How much of the prize money the winner actually receives is subject to complicated state laws and how they choose to spend it. The winner will be subject to the 37% federal tax rate but will not have to pay any state taxes on their winnings if they are California residents and bought their ticket in the Golden State. On the other hand, New Yorkers will have to pay 8.82% in state taxes in addition to the federal rate of 37%. When calculating the winner's take-home pay, it's crucial to account for both the state in which the winning ticket was purchased and the winner's state of residence.
