It’s a common misconception that unless you receive a Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings, at a casino,
your gambling winnings don’t have to be reported on your federal tax return. However gambling winnings, like
any other income not specifically exempted from law, are taxable and must be reported on your federal tax
return, regardless of whether or not documentation was provided at the time the money was earned (or won).
Fortunately, if you itemize your deductions, there are ways to offset your gambling winnings with any losses
that you may have incurred up to the amount of your winnings. Below are five tips that every taxpayer who
gambles should know:
1. Gambling income includes, but is not limited to, winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse races, and
casinos. It includes cash winnings and the fair market value of prizes such as cars and trips.
2. If you receive a certain amount of gambling winnings or if you have any winnings that are subject to
federal tax withholding, the payer is required to issue you a
Form W-2G. The payer must give you this
form if you receive:
• $1,200 or more in gambling winnings from bingo or slot machines;
• $1,500 or more in proceeds (the amount of winnings minus the amount of the wager) from keno;
• More than $5,000 in winnings (reduced by the wager or buy-in) from a poker tournament;
• $600 or more in gambling winnings (except winnings from bingo, keno, slot machines, and poker
tournaments) and the payout is at least 300 times the amount of the wager; or
• Any other
gambling winnings subject to federal income tax withholding.
3. Generally, you report all gambling winnings on the Other income line (line 21) of Form 1040, U.S.
Federal Income Tax Return.
4. You can claim your gambling losses up to the amount of your winnings on
Form 1040, Schedule A,
Itemized Deductions, under Other Miscellaneous Deductions. You must report the full amount of your
winnings as income and claim your allowable losses separately. You cannot deduct gambling losses
that are more than your winnings. You cannot reduce your gambling winnings by your gambling losses
and report the difference.
5. Keep accurate records. If you are going to deduct gambling losses, you must have receipts, tickets,
statements, and documentation such as a diary or similar record of your losses and winnings. Your
records should show your winnings separately from your losses. Refer to
IRS Publication 529,
Miscellaneous Deductions, for more details about the type of information you should write in your diary
and what kinds of proof you should retain in your records.
For more information on gambling income and losses, see IRS Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions or
Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, both available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM
(800-829-3676).
