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

Windy City Tax Burden Will Hit NBA Star Hard

Windy City Tax Burden Will Hit NBA Star Hard So how much is $47.5 million really worth? The answer is it all depends on where you live. Most of the NBA’s top free agents recently signed their new contracts, many with new teams, including former Oklahoma City Thunder Star Kevin Durant, who is now a…

Estate Planning for High Net Worth Foreigners

  Estate Planning for High Net Worth Foreigners While the U.S. is considered by many to be a place where the wealthy move their money away from, there are also many wealthy people from other countries who are moving more of their money into our country. So what’s behind this big increase of foreigners shipping…

How to Ignite Your Inner Spirit to Pursue Your Passions

How to Ignite Your Inner Spirit to Pursue Your Passions

How to Ignite Your Inner Spirit to Pursue Your Passions We are all made up of a body and a spirit, or a soul. It’s our soul or spirit that really drives us to do everything we do. Our body is just the tool we use to carry out the desires and passions of our…

What’s the Real Motivation Behind Philanthropy?

What’s the Real Motivation Behind Philanthropy?

What’s the Real Motivation Behind Philanthropy? According to its definition, philanthropy is the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. Many of the world’s wealthiest individuals and companies are involved in all kinds of philanthropic activities and endeavors. Some of the most famous and…