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.
MANY WAYS TO CLAIM AT PRIZE PURCHASED AT RETAIL
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.
Claim Center
P.O. Box 041
Trenton NJ 08625-0041
Attn: Validations
1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle
Trenton, NJ 08648
HOW TO CLAIM A PRIZE PURCHASED FROM YOUR VIPCLUB ACCOUNT
Prizes Under $599.99
Prizes under $599.99 will be automatically deposited into your VIP Club Account. You may withdrawal your winnings via ACH or Venmo.Prizes $600 and above
Prizes $600 and above will be automatically submitted as a CLAIM to the New Jersey Lottery. To complete your claim, please contact the New Jersey Lottery Customer Service Center at 1-800-222-0996 for further instructions on how to claim your prize. Depending on your prize amount, further information or documentation may be required to continue processing your claim for payment.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 submitting a 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 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 Claim Center Customer Service 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.
