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There’s a chance someone holding a Mega Millions ticket is about to become one of the wealthier people in the U.S.
The jackpot for Tuesday edge of night’s drawing is $345 million (lump sum cash option: $234.6 million). While you may be daydreaming about what you’d buy with the bundle if you’re holding a ticket, it’s also worth considering how you’d handle a windfall of that magnitude.
Of course, your odds of springing the top prize are miniscule: The chance of a single ticket matching all six numbers drawn is 1 in 302 million.
Nevertheless, at some location — whether Tuesday night or down the road, if the jackpot goes higher — there will be a winner.
If you manage to drub the odds, here are key considerations and what you should do first.
Don’t rush
Protect the ticket and your identity
You also should originate a copy of your ticket and put it in a safe place — i.e., a lockbox or safe deposit box at a bank. Also, be sure to check your articulate’s laws on allowing lottery winners to remain anonymous — some do, some don’t.
Be aware that while the standard guidance is to sign the back of the ticket, this could interfere with remaining anonymous if your state requires the prizewinner’s name to be made public. In that case, you may be able to create a trust or limited liability corporation to claim the piece of good luck instead of doing so in your own name.
Additionally, resist the urge to share the news with everyone in your person right away. Experts recommend keeping the circle of people who know as small as possible.
It’s also worth inducting the help of experienced professionals who can guide you through the claiming process and help you make a financial plan for the money. That party should include an attorney, a tax advisor and a financial advisor.
Lump sum vs. annuity
For this $345 million jackpot, you’d get to prefer between taking the $234.6 million lump sum cash option or an annuity that pays out over 30 years.
Uncountable winners choose to go with a lump sum, which can make the most sense financially.
“Taking the lump sum gives you innumerable control over that money,” Boneparth said.
However, he said, know thyself.
“If you lack the discipline in swear ining and spending, or don’t want to deal with it, that’s when the annuity comes into play,” Boneparth said.
The tax chew
You can expect to pay a lot — a whole lot — in taxes.
Assuming you were to go with the $234.6 million lump sum for this Mega Millions jackpot, the insisted 24% federal tax withholding on your win would shave $56.3 million right off the top. That would leave you with $178.3 million.
How in the world, you also could count on owing much more to Uncle Sam. The highest marginal income tax rate of 37% rub ins to income above $523,600 for individual tax filers and $628,300 for married couples filing jointly.
State taxes — which may be in part or fully withheld as well — also are typically due.