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Mega Millions questions.

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Are Mega Millions winnings taxed in the US?

Yes. Lottery prizes are taxable income — the IRS withholds 24% up front and a jackpot ultimately owes up to 37%, and most states tax winnings too (New York is highest at 10.9% plus New York City's local tax; Florida and Texas take nothing).

Federal + state tax breakdown →

Lump sum or annuity — which should I take for Mega Millions?

Jackpot winners choose a reduced cash lump sum (roughly half the headline amount) or the full advertised jackpot as a 30-payment annuity over 29 years. You usually have just 60 days to elect the cash, or the annuity is paid by default.

The real math →

Can I claim a Mega Millions prize anonymously?

It depends on the state where you bought the ticket. Some states allow anonymity or a trust/LLC claim; most publish winners' names.

Anonymity by state →

How long do I have to claim a Mega Millions prize?

Deadlines are set by the state where you bought the ticket — typically 90 days to one year from the draw, and you usually have only ~60 days to choose the cash lump sum.

How to claim, step by step →

When is the Mega Millions cut-off?

Ticket sales close shortly before each Mega Millions draw on Tuesday and Friday evening. Buy before the cut-off to be entered for that night's draw.

Does Lottizen sell Mega Millions tickets?

No. Lottizen is an independent information site — we track winning numbers and statistics only. Buy tickets from the Mega Millions consortium or an authorized retailer.

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Guides for Mega Millions players
What Happens to Unclaimed Lottery Jackpots?Winning tickets do go unclaimed — the largest was a $77 million Powerball prize that expired in Georgia. Here's how the deadlines work, the 60-day trap that catches cash-option winners, and where the money goes when nobody comes forward.Can Non-US Citizens and Tourists Win the Lottery?Yes — you don't need to be a US citizen or resident to play or win Powerball and Mega Millions. But a non-resident faces a 30% federal withholding instead of 24%, and for Canadians the tax treaty helps far less on a jackpot than the internet suggests. Here's how it works.Lump Sum vs Annuity: The Real Math of a Lottery JackpotThe cash option is worth roughly half the headline jackpot — here's exactly why, how the 30-year annuity actually pays out, what each choice does to your taxes, and the real trade-offs behind the decision most winners get 60 days to make.Lottery Taxes in the US: Federal and State BreakdownUS lottery winnings are fully taxable — 24% is withheld up front, but a jackpot really owes up to 37% federally, plus state tax that ranges from zero to nearly 11%. The federal rules, a state-by-state table, and why the withholding is never the whole bill.Lottery Scams: How to Spot ThemIf you have to pay to collect a prize, it isn't a prize. The scams that impersonate Powerball and Mega Millions, the red flags that give them away, and the one rule that defeats every version — plus exactly what to do if you're targeted.How to Claim a Powerball or Mega Millions PrizeYou claim in the state where you bought the ticket, under that state's rules — never across state lines. The prize tiers, the deadlines that range from 90 days to a year, the separate 60-day clock on the cash option, and exactly what to bring.Which States Let Lottery Winners Stay Anonymous?Some states protect winners by law, some only above a dollar threshold, and most publish your name — but a trust or LLC can shield you even in a disclosure state. A current state-by-state look, plus the 2025–2026 wave of new anonymity laws.