CLAIM A PRIZE & TAX REQUIREMENTS
Winner's Guide
Congratulations!
If you're reading this page, it means one of two things: You've won the lottery, or you're an extremely positive thinker. Either way, congratulations are in order. Now comes the fun part: claiming your prize.
How To Win Responsibly
Prizes Under $599.99
Prizes under $599.99 can be redeemed for cash instantly at any lottery retailer throughout the state. Simply present the ticket to the retailer and receive the prize.
Prizes Over $599.99
For prizes over $599.99, you will need to file a claim to receive a check for your prize. There are 4 ways to claim your prize.
File a claim form at any NJ Lottery retailer. Find a Retailer
Download, fill out and print the claim form. Staple the ticket to the claim form and mail the completed claim form along with the winning ticket to:
NEW JERSEY LOTTERY
Attn: Validations
P.O. Box 041
Trenton NJ 08625-0041
The New Jersey Lottery recommends that you make a copy of your claim form and the tickets (front & back) in the rare event of a delay or loss in the mail.
You can drop off your claim form and winning ticket in person at the New Jersey Lottery office where a secure drop box is available to leave you claim form. Claim forms are available at the office. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Our address is:
Lawrence Park Complex
1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle
Trenton, NJ 08648
If you won a jackpot, other large prize (approx. $25,000 or more), or otherwise feel more comfortable filing your claim in person with a Lottery representative, you may request an appointment or call us at 1-800-222-0996.
If you have a ticket that looks like a winner but is damaged, will not scan properly, or is showing no prize or a different value than expected, file a claim and include a brief note explaining the issue so that we may investigate the ticket.
Winners of the New Jersey Lottery may choose to remain anonymous. However, to file a claim, proper identification must be presented for internal processing and for reporting to the Internal Revenue Service. For more information, see: The State Lottery Law, N.J.S.A. 5:9-1 et seq.
The Lottery is operating under strict guidelines instituted to keep both our players and employees safe. Due to the volume of claims received and the staffing limitations within these guidelines, players can expect to have their claims processed within six (6) weeks from the date their claim is received by the Lottery. In some instances, the processing time may be longer. If there are any issues with your claim, or if additional information is needed, a Lottery representative will contact you. We apologize for the delay and thank you for your understanding and patience.
Prize Claim FAQs
Prizes of $599.99 or less can be redeemed at Lottery retailers. Prizes of $600 or more must be redeemed by New Jersey Lottery Claim Form. Prizes are subject to federal tax withholding at the time of payment. The group should assign one person to serve as the contact.
The CONTACT person should sign and complete the New Jersey Lottery Claim Form on behalf of the group.
The CONTACT person's Social Security Number will be entered on Line 9 of the Claim Form and will serve as the primary recipient of the prize.
IRS form 5754 must be completed in order to share the prize and related taxes (if applicable).
IT IS UP TO THE GROUP TO MAKE COPIES OF THE TICKET, AND ALL CLAIM FORMS FOR MEMBERS OF THE GROUP
While the New Jersey Lottery recommends that winners seek professional financial and tax advice, it does not offer such advice or refer winners to specific individuals.
All winners, tickets, transactions, drawings, prizes and prize payments are subject to New Jersey Lottery Rules and Regulations and State Law. In the case of a married couple that files a joint tax return, a single claim form can be filed and a single check will be processed.
A group can claim a term annuity prize, and the Lottery would send separate checks to each winner each year. Please note, though, that this is only for term annuities. Life annuities (like those associated with our "Win for Life" instant ticket game) can only be claimed by one person. Also, if a group chooses the annuity option, they have the option of requesting that the New Jersey Lottery sell that annuity on their behalf within 60 days. However, the sale will be governed by the market rates at the time of sale, and therefore, you could possibly lose money or increase your winnings based on the rates at the time of sale.
Any Scratch-Offs ticket - like our "Win for Life" Scratch-Offs ticket - that involves a life annuity (where the length of the annuity is based upon the duration of a person's life rather than a set term) is paid to one person only. If that one person wants to give a share to another person, they can file an IRS Form 5754 with the IRS, but the Lottery won't give out separate checks, and any accounting that arises would have to be done by the winner.
Yes, winners of the New Jersey Lottery may choose to remain anonymous. However, to file a claim, proper identification must be presented for internal processing and for reporting to the Internal Revenue Service. For more information, see: The State Lottery Law, N.J.S.A. 5:9-1 et seq.
In the past, players have asked questions about trusts and other legal constructs to use as vehicles to claim their prizes. If you have questions about those legal constructs, you must consult a legal professional. The Lottery cannot assist you with legal questions.
The Lottery is currently making several improvements to our claims and payments process that will ultimately result in faster claim processing. However due to the implementation of these improvements, our current claim processing is taking up to 8 weeks from the time we receive your claim to when the payment is received by the winner. We truly appreciate your patience and support during our upgrades. We apologize for the delay and thank you for your understanding and patience. If you wish to find out more about the status of your winning ticket claim, please contact Lottery's Customer Service Department at 1-800-222-0996.
Tax Requirements for Lottery Prizes
Federal Income Tax. Federal law requires the New Jersey Lottery to withhold 24 percent from any prize in excess of $5,000. A higher federal withholding rate of 30 percent applies to any prize of $600 or more paid to a winner who is not a U.S. citizen.
New Jersey Gross Income Tax. State law requires the New Jersey Lottery to withhold State tax at the rate of 5 percent from any prize in excess of $10,000 and up to $500,000 or 8 percent from any prize in excess of $500,000. The higher State withholding rate of 8 percent also applies to any prize in excess of $10,000 paid to a winner who does not furnish a taxpayer identification (social security) number.
Tax Returns. After the end of the year, each winner will receive a Form W2-G report showing the amount of Lottery prize payments to be reported as income and the amounts of federal and State taxes withheld to be reported as credits on the winner's federal and State tax returns.
Additional Information. For additional information about taxation of Lottery prizes, visit the US Internal Revenue Service website, the New Jersey Division of Taxation website, or consult a professional tax advisor.
