As the IRS goes on to say on this subject: “A payer is required to issue you a Form W-2G.pdf, Certain Gambling Winnings, if you receive certain gambling winnings or have any gambling winnings subject to federal income tax withholding. To prevent abuses and tax evasion, the IRS imposes some strict requirements on nonprofits involved with gaming activity—for example: you must report any participant’s winnings over a specified amount to the IRS on Form W-2G you must withhold income tax from the winnings over specified amounts for certain games and pay it to the IRS.
However, you may include the gambling winnings in the non-Illinois portion of Schedule CR, Credit for Tax Paid to Other States. Note: Only non-Illinois gambling winnings can be included in the non-Illinois portion of your Schedule CR, Column B. Answers others found helpful. All Winnings Must Be Reported If, like the vast majority of people, you’re a casual recreational gambler, you’re supposed to report all your gambling winnings on your tax return every year. You report the amount as “other income” on Schedule 1 of IRS Form 1040. You list them as 'other income' in line 21.
Are online gambling winnings taxable? Yes, whether you gamble at land-based or online casinos, the money you earn is subject to federal income tax. Known as gambling income, the money you earn from wagers and bets as well as lotteries, sweepstakes, etc. all must be taxed.
In some cases, you will be provided with tax forms that must be turned in to the federal government. The full amount of the gambling income minus the cost of the winning bet will be included on this form. Whether you receive this form or not, it’s important to know your responsibilities when it comes to filing income taxes.
The process of handling gambling taxes is not difficult if you know what to do. With this in mind, the OUSC team created this quicktax guide to help US players report their online gambling income.
Do US Players Have To Pay Taxes For Online Gambling?
So, if you enjoy online gambling at sites like BetOnline or Bovada Casino, do you have to pay taxes? When you choose to gamble online, the money you earn is still taxable. Even if the site is located in another country, you still have to pay taxes.
Online gambling is unregulated in most regions of the US, but taxes must still be paid. Just because you do not receive tax forms, does not mean that your winnings are not taxed.
To the IRS, it does not matter where the money is either. If you have funds in your online casino account, even if it’s an offshore site, it’s taxable. When dealing with online gambling earnings, it’s important to review this information with an accountant to ensure you pay the right amount of taxes owed.
Below you will find a list of gambling activities that the International Revenue Service considers taxable:
- Prizes
- Private Party Games
- Tournaments
- Scratch Off Tickets
- Other
How Do You Report Gambling Winnings?
The way you report your gambling activities will be dependent on how you win. If you receive a Form W-2G, then this is what you will turn in when filing taxes. Taxes must be filed before April 15th or you must ask for an extension. You will turn this form in as you do your other tax forms for employment to an accountant or tax filing company.
If you do not receive the W-2G form, then you will need to fill out a Form 1040, adding the winnings to Line 21 of the form. The full amount of gambling winnings will be placed on this line.
When filling out the 1040, you will need to configure your losses as well. The expense you had for bets, wagers, etc. will need to be deducted as an itemized deduction. This is done on the “Other Miscellaneous Deductions” line of Schedule A form. This will help to lower the tax amount paid on your total gambling income.
What Types of Records Do You Need?
The information you record while enjoying online gambling can be used during the filing process. It’s important to maintain a log or diary of all your losses and winnings. Keep in mind the following information:
- Dates: You will need to record the date and type of activity completed, including wagers and winnings.
- Location: List the name and location of the gambling facility. In the case of online gambling, this would be the website, such as MyBookie or Café Casino.
- Checks: If you are sent any checks in the mail from winnings, be sure to keep the check stub.
- Paperwork: For some players, winnings will be sent via mail and any paperwork should be kept and used during filing as needed.
Don’t Forget To Pay Your Online Gambling Taxes
Do You Have To Report Gambling Winnings To Irs Stimulus Check
When you gamble online, it is important to enjoy yourself, but also remember to file your winnings! The IRS takes gambling money very seriously and you want to be sure that you pay your taxes accordingly. If you need any additional information, be sure to visit the official website of the IRS to find all the previously mentioned forms you will need fo file your taxes.