Will Latest Group Lottery Winner Be Affected by Taxes?
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
Will This Tax Season Cause Even More Stress Than Normal?
Will This Tax Season Cause Even More Stress Than Normal? Life is full of stress. And tax season can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Plus, with the new tax changes this year, things could get even more complicated for many taxpayers. It’s enough to blow your mind and send you…
Most Americans Not Aware of Important Tax Changes – Are You?
Most Americans Not Aware of Important Tax Changes – Are You? Do you like change? If you answered yes, then chances are you’ll enjoy this tax season. However, not everyone enjoys change and for some this tax season will be an even bigger headache than normal. But ready or not, tax changes are here and it’s up…
Many Taxpayers Surprised by Smaller Refunds
Many Taxpayers Surprised by Smaller Refunds Sticker shock in the retail industry is not uncommon. But many taxpayers, this year, have been getting somewhat of a sticker shock when it comes to their tax refunds. That’s because so far this tax season, refunds have been down. Way down. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act came with…
Don’t Expect to Find These Deductions When You File This Year
Don’t Expect to Find These Deductions When You File This Year A lot has been made of the all the tax changes this year, thanks to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Many of the laws have been altered and some have been completely eliminated. Certain credits have been cut, while others have been increased.…