Will Latest Group Lottery Winner Be Affected by Taxes?

shutterstock_265830683

 

There is nothing quite like winning the lottery. In almost all cases lotto winners go from rags to riches overnight. There is definitely a thrill and exhilaration that comes with becoming an instant multi-millionaire. Who wouldn’t want to win the lottery? Hold that thought. Winning the lottery comes with several possible catches that could lead to tax trouble. In fact, for some lottery winners, the tax fallout is a real nightmare.

The tax headache can be especially big when several people decide to purchase lottery tickets together, as a group, which is exactly what happened to some recent lottery winners in Tennessee. Twenty co-workers won a $420.9 million Powerball jackpot in November, with the lump sum payment being $254 million. Split evenly, each winner will receive $12.7 million before taxes.

However, the first question that must be answered is could this group be considered a real partnership? The 20 winners have been pooling their money together for eight years, so it’s a legitimate question. It’s also an important one as it could make a big difference in how they report it and their overall tax bill.

Another question is could their agreement be viewed as a trust? If the IRS considers it a grantor trust it’s simply taxed as a flow-through. However, if it is a more complex trust that is taxed the same as a corporation the tax headache can be huge and expensive. So, what should you do if you become an instant millionaire? If you ever end up choosing the right numbers, the smartest thing to do is talk with a qualified tax professional before you even collect the money. This will help you avoid several possible headaches.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2016/12/01/20-plant-workers-420-million-powerball-win-cleverly-misses-tax-mess/#3a6f0e555f29

Posted in
How to Pull True Leadership From Within

How to Pull True Leadership From Within

How to Pull True Leadership From Within Are you a natural born leader? The truth is no one is born a leader. Yes, many people do have innate leadership qualities about them. But they still have to learn how to use those qualities and attributes to become a great leader. So how do you learn…

The Rise of Big Data and What it Means for Today’s Leaders

The Rise of Big Data and What it Means for Today’s Leaders

The Rise of Big Data and What it Means for Today’s Leaders In 2016, we interviewed Shane Greenstein, author of How the Internet Became Commercial. As he laid out his arguments, it became evident that the big data revolution was imminent. The professor noted that the internet contributed significantly to data collection in the business…

Why Do Some Leaders Fail?

Why Do Some Leaders Fail?

Why Do Some Leaders Fail? Why are some leaders more successful than others? Why is it that some leaders are able to reach the pinnacle of success, while others end up on the scrap heap of leaders gone wrong? There is no secret to success. Some people figure out leadership and others don’t. But why…

Corporate America Is Buying Back Stocks at Record-Setting Pace

Corporate America Is Buying Back Stocks at Record-Setting Pace

Corporate America Is Buying Back Stocks at Record-Setting Pace If you don’t follow the stock market closely then you may have missed an ongoing trend this year. Corporate America is buying back stocks at a massive rate. In fact, these buybacks are happening at a record-setting pace. So how big are the numbers, exactly? They’re…