The current $457.0M Powerball jackpot works out to roughly $118.4M in your pocket after federal and average state taxes if you take the lump sum.
Implied Discount Rate
This is the annual return rate built into the annuity option. When the spread over 30-year Treasuries is narrow, the cash option may be comparatively attractive on a time-value basis. This is not investment advice.
Expected Value per Ticket
This is the pre-tax expected value based on the cash option before any federal or state taxes. After-tax EV varies by state - select a state below to see your estimated after-tax EV and full annuity schedule.
Value Index
What this is: Value Index compares the current cash-option expected value to the rolling 90-day range. 0 means this jackpot has the worst EV seen in the window; 100 means it has the best.
- 0 to 33 (Below average): EV is in the weakest third of recent draws. Most jackpots are a better buy than this one.
- 34 to 66 (Fair value): EV sits in the middle of the recent range. A typical draw, neither unusually strong nor weak.
- 67 to 100 (Good value): EV is in the top third of recent draws. If you were going to play, this is a relatively strong moment.
Remember, Value Index is relative to the 90-day window only. Even a 100 can still have a negative expected return. It tells you whether this draw is a good one versus other recent draws, not whether buying a ticket is a good financial decision overall.
Powerball Payout by State
Estimated take-home for all 50 states + DC + Puerto Rico. Click any state for the full 30-year annuity schedule, after-tax EV, and detailed payment table.
Estimates only. Not financial, tax, or gambling advice. Lottery outcomes are random. Verify all figures with official sources before making any decisions.
ScratchCheck is independently operated by 7H Ventures LLC and is not affiliated with Mega Millions, Powerball, or any lottery organization. This page may contain affiliate links - we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Important Notes - About These Estimates
Tax calculations on this page apply the current top federal marginal rate (37%) to gross jackpot payments. Because no deductions are factored in, the federal figures shown represent a higher-end estimate of what you might owe - your actual liability will likely be lower once deductions, credits, and your specific financial situation are accounted for.
Expected Value (EV) represents the average return per ticket across all prize tiers if the game were played a very large number of times. It is calculated using published prize tiers and probabilities when available. EV does not guarantee any outcome for an individual ticket and should not be interpreted as predicted winnings. EV can change as the advertised jackpot, cash option, or prize structure changes.
State taxes are calculated using a single flat rate (the top marginal or lottery-specific rate for that state). States that use graduated brackets would produce a slightly lower actual tax burden than what is shown here.
The annuity payment figures shown on individual state pages are derived from the published jackpot amount using a standard 5% annual escalation model. Actual disbursements from the lottery may differ slightly due to rounding or administrative adjustments.
This page does not include local or city taxes, which vary widely and may apply depending on where you live. Check with your local tax authority for details specific to your area.
Winners who are not U.S. residents are typically subject to a mandatory 30% federal withholding rate set by the IRS, which differs from the standard marginal rates shown above.
ScratchCheck reviews state lottery withholding rates on a regular basis, but rates do change and there may be a lag before updates are reflected here. If you spot a rate that appears outdated, let us know at [email protected].
Nothing on this page is financial, tax, or legal advice. Every winner's situation is unique - before claiming a large prize, speak with a qualified tax professional and financial advisor.