IRS Form W-2G

Form W-2G: Certain Gambling Winnings

Report gambling winnings and any federal income tax withheld on those winnings.

Filing Deadline

January 31 (to winner) / February 28 (paper) or March 31 (e-file) to IRS

Thresholds Vary

$600-$5,000 depending on game type

Withholding

Generally 24% federal withholding required

Overview

Form W-2G is used by payers to report gambling winnings and any federal income tax withheld. Different types of gambling have different reporting thresholds.

All gambling winnings are taxable income, but Form W-2G is only required when winnings exceed certain thresholds or when withholding occurs.

Who Must File

Required Filers

•Casinos, racetracks, and other gambling establishments
•$1,200+ from bingo or slot machines
•$1,500+ from keno
•$5,000+ from poker tournaments
•$600+ from other gambling (if 300x wager)
•Any amount subject to federal withholding

Form Structure & Instructions

Here's what information is required in each section:

Winning Information

Details of gambling winnings

Box 1

Reportable Winnings

Gross gambling winnings

Box 2

Date Won

Date of the winning transaction

Box 3

Type of Wager

Code for type of gambling (1-9)

Box 4

Federal Income Tax Withheld

Federal tax withheld (usually 24%)

Box 5

Transaction

Transaction number or identifier

Additional Details

Race and identification information

Box 6

Race

Specific race information (if applicable)

Box 7

Winnings From Identical Wagers

Lump sum winnings from identical wagers

Box 8

Cashier

Cashier or location identifier

Box 9

Winner's TIN

Winner's taxpayer identification number

Box 10

Window

Window number or identifier

Box 11

First ID

First identification number

Box 12

Second ID

Second identification number

Box 13

State Winnings

State winnings amount

Box 14

State ID

State identification

Box 15

State Tax Withheld

State income tax withheld

Important Filing Notes

24% Federal Withholding

Generally required to withhold 24% of winnings over threshold amounts. Withholding increases to 31% if winner doesn't provide valid TIN.

All Gambling Income Taxable

All gambling winnings are taxable, even if under the W-2G reporting threshold. Winners must report all income, including amounts not reported on W-2G.

Losses Limited to Winnings

Gambling losses are deductible only to the extent of gambling winnings, and only if you itemize. Keep receipts, tickets, statements to document losses.

Type of Wager Codes

Box 3 codes: 1 (Horse racing), 2 (Dog racing), 3 (Jai alai/other), 4 (Keno), 5 (Bingo), 6 (Slot machines), 7 (Poker tournament), 8 (Other table games), 9 (Sports wagering).

Additional Resources

Form W-2G (PDF)

Official IRS Form W-2G

Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754

Complete filing instructions

Publication 505

Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax

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