Mega Millions $443 Million After Taxes in California
The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 11:00 pm ET, is $443 million, or $186.5 million cash. A single winner in California who takes the cash keeps about $117.5 million after federal tax; California takes no state tax.
Did anyone win?
Friday, October 23, 2026: ----, Mega Ball
Nobody matched all five numbers and the Mega Ball, so the $433 million jackpot rolls to $443 million (cash value $187 million) for Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 11:00 pm ET.
If nobody wins on Tuesday, past runs put the October 30, 2026 jackpot near $464 million, and a California winner would keep about $123.2 million. A projection, not the operator's figure.
Lump sum vs annuity in California
One winner, single filer, 2026 federal brackets. California takes no state tax (has income tax but exempts California Lottery prizes).
| Lump sum | Annuity, 30 years | |
|---|---|---|
| Before tax | $186.5 million | $443 million |
| Federal withheld, 24% | −$44.8 million | −$106.3 million |
| California withheld | $0 | $0 |
| Paid to you | $141.7 million | $336.7 million |
| Federal still due at filing | −$24.2 million | −$56.1 million |
| Kept after tax | $117.5 million | $280.6 million |
Federal: 24% withheld, up to 37% owed
The lottery withholds 24% for the IRS before it pays. A jackpot puts almost all of the prize in the 37% bracket, so the federal bill on the cash comes to $68,955,000, 37.0% of it, and the $24,195,000 the withholding missed is due with the return. Set it aside: the cheque is not what you keep.
California tax on a Mega Millions jackpot
California takes no state tax on lottery prizes (has income tax but exempts California Lottery prizes). Only federal tax applies. No state leaves a winner more: California ties with 8 others with no lottery tax, $20.3 million more than in New York.
The annuity, year by year
Thirty payments, each 5% bigger than the last, taxed in the year it is paid.
| Payment | Before tax | After tax in California |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6.7 million | $4.3 million |
| Year 10 | $10.3 million | $6.6 million |
| Year 20 | $16.8 million | $10.7 million |
| Year 30 | $27.4 million | $17.3 million |
Every state side by side · California Mega Millions: numbers, add-ons, ticket value · Tax calculator for any prize
Mega Millions after taxes in California: questions
- How much is the Mega Millions jackpot after taxes in California?
- For Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the advertised jackpot is $443 million and the cash value $186.5 million. A single winner in California who takes the cash keeps about $117.5 million once the federal bill is paid at filing. The annuity pays about $4.3 million after tax in the first year and $280.6 million over 30 years.
- How much tax is taken out of Mega Millions winnings in California?
- At the claim, 24% federal: on the $186.5 million cash value that is $44.8 million, leaving a cheque of $141.7 million. A jackpot is taxed at up to 37%, so about $24.2 million more is due with the federal return.
- Lump sum or annuity: which keeps more in California?
- Over 30 years the annuity pays more in total after tax, $280.6 million against $117.5 million for the cash, because the advertised jackpot is the sum of payments that rise 5% a year. The cash is all paid now and could be invested; almost every jackpot winner takes it.
- Did anyone win the Mega Millions jackpot on October 23, 2026?
- No. Nobody matched all five numbers and the Mega Ball, so the $433 million jackpot rolls to $443 million (cash value $187 million) for Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 11:00 pm ET. The numbers and every prize tier.
- Do I pay California tax if I live in another state?
- California takes nothing on a ticket bought here. Your home state may tax the prize too, usually with a credit for tax paid to the state where the ticket was sold. The calculator takes any rate.