Florida(FL) Lottery Winnings Tax Information

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLAIMING YOUR PRIZE

COMPLETE THE BACK OF THE TICKET. Payment will be made to the person whose name appears on the back of the ticket.

CARING FOR YOUR TICKET:

1. Store your ticket in a safe place until you are ready to redeem it. Do not expose your ticket to extreme sunlight or heat such as from irons, dryers, or windowpanes.

2. Do not laminate your ticket.

3. Do not expose your ticket to fatty substances such as oil, butter, or milk.

4. Water will affect a ticket if it is submerged for a prolonged period of time.

If a ticket is damaged, a Retailer or Lottery Office may be able to redeem your ticket if the barcode or ticket number is legible.

HOW TO CLAIM?

1. To claim an on-line game prize, the claimant must (1) submit the winning on-line ticket for validation at a Lottery office or retailer on or before the 180th day after the winning drawing, and (2) if the prize is not paid at that time, submit the ticket for prize payment at a Lottery office on or before the 210th day after the winning drawing. If the ticket has remaining drawings, a continuation ticket will be issued.

2. To claim a scratch-off game prize, the claimant must (1) submit the winning scratch-off ticket for validation at a Lottery office or retailer on or before the 60th day after the end of game, and (2) if the prize is not paid at that time, submit the ticket for prize payment at a Lottery office on or before the 90th day after the official end of game.

3. All required documentation to pay a prize must be received by the Lottery by the 210th or 90th day, respectively, or the prize will be forfeited.

WHERE TO CLAIM:

1. Winning tickets may be validated at any retailer or Lottery office.

2. Prizes up to $599.99 may be paid at any Lottery Retailer.

3. Prizes up to $250,000 ($1,000,000 for Powerball®) may be paid at any Lottery Office. See flalottery.com for office locations.

4. Prizes up to $250,000 may be paid by mail by submitting the original ticket, the original Winner Claim Form and a copy of acceptable identification to:

Florida Lottery, Claims Processing, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399-9939

Envelopes containing winning on-line game tickets must be postmarked within 180 days of the date of the winning drawing, and envelopes containing winning scratch-off tickets must be postmarked within 60 days of the official end of game.

5. Prizes above $250,000 must be submitted for payment in person at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.

6. TRACKABLE METHODS OF MAILING ARE RECOMMENDED. The risk of mailing tickets remains with the player. Federal income tax withholding will be deducted from prizes exceeding $5,000. Certain debts, including, but not limited to, those owed to a state agency and unpaid child support collected through a court, will be deducted from prizes of $600 and above.

COMPLETING THE WINNER CLAIM FORM:

1. Complete Section 1 in the name of one individual or one entity. The name and taxpayer identification number used must match the name used with the Internal Revenue Service.

2. After reading the printed statement, sign and date the Winner Claim Form where provided. If you are signing as a legal representative of an entity, please provide your title.

3. For claims $600 and over, a copy of one form of identification must accompany your claim. The ID must be current or issued within the last 5 years and bear a serial or other identifying number.

4. If you have been notified that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return, cross out item 2 in the Certification Statement.

ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION:

1. Identification card or driver.s license issued by a public agency authorized to issue driver.s licenses in Florida, or another state or country

2. U. S. Passport

3. Passport issued by a foreign government

4. Identification card issued by any branch of the armed forces of the U.S.

5. Identification card issued by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services

6. Other proof of identity authorized for use by notaries public in Chapter 117, Florida Statutes