Do you get taxed on prize money?
Andrew Mclaughlin
Published Mar 25, 2026
The principles relating to tax are generally the same for everybody who enters competitions. In general, if prize money is regarded as part of the normal way in which people following a profession earn money (whether they are a golf player or an artist) then the prize money is earned income and is taxable.
In general, if prize money is regarded as part of the normal way in which people following a profession earn money (whether they are a golf player or an artist) then the prize money is earned income and is taxable.
Is prize money an income?
Generally speaking, prizes and rewards are included as gross income in a taxpayer’s federal return. Taxpayers are taxed on the cash equivalent of items won in contests, pageants, drawings, game shows, and other competitions.
How much tax do you have to pay on a prize?
Mandatory Withholding Typically, the organization awarding a prize worth $600 or more must withhold 30 percent of the winnings to cover 25 percent in federal taxes and 5 percent in state taxes.
Where do you report taxes on prize winnings?
Typically, tax on winnings, like sweepstakes or prize money, should be reported to you in Box 3 (other income) of IRS Form 1099-MISC. This includes winnings from sweepstakes when you did not make an effort to enter and also applies to merchandise won from a game show. Taxes on Lottery Winnings, Raffles, Charity Drawings, and Sweepstakes by Wager
When do I have to pay provisional tax on prize money?
Provisional tax payments are due if you have a March balance date and use the standard, estimation or ratio options. If you run a sports event or competition and give more than $500 in prize money to a participant, you will need to deduct 20% withholding tax. This applies to all events and competitions, both amateur and professional.
What kind of taxes do I have to pay if I Win Sweepstakes?
Be sure to consult the IRS website or a tax consultant for the most current information. If you’re looking for a rough rule of thumb to figure out what the taxes on any given prize will be, go with about a third of the prize value. So if you win a prize worth $9,000, you can expect your taxes to rise by about $3,000.