Mega Millions multiplier prizes after tax
Worked examples for a Texas resident: no state lottery tax, 37% federal planning estimate on the whole prize. Each row is an actual multiplier tier, not an unmultiplied base prize. Smaller prizes can face much lower effective federal rates. The withholding column shows only federal tax withheld at claim; it is not the final bill. California prizes vary with sales and winners.
| Match | Multiplier | Cash prize | Federal withheld | After tax estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match 5 | 2x | $2.0M | $480,000 | $1.3M |
| Match 5 | 3x | $3.0M | $720,000 | $1.9M |
| Match 5 | 4x | $4.0M | $960,000 | $2.5M |
| Match 5 | 5x | $5.0M | $1.2M | $3.1M |
| Match 5 | 10x | $10.0M | $2.4M | $6.3M |
| 4 + Mega Ball | 2x | $20,000 | $4,800 | $12,600 |
| 4 + Mega Ball | 3x | $30,000 | $7,200 | $18,900 |
| 4 + Mega Ball | 4x | $40,000 | $9,600 | $25,200 |
| 4 + Mega Ball | 5x | $50,000 | $12,000 | $31,500 |
| 4 + Mega Ball | 10x | $100,000 | $24,000 | $63,000 |
| 4 | 2x | $1,000 | $0 | $630 |
| 4 | 3x | $1,500 | $0 | $945 |
| 4 | 4x | $2,000 | $0 | $1,260 |
| 4 | 5x | $2,500 | $0 | $1,575 |
| 4 | 10x | $5,000 | $0 | $3,150 |
| 3 + Mega Ball | 2x | $400 | $0 | $252 |
| 3 + Mega Ball | 3x | $600 | $0 | $378 |
| 3 + Mega Ball | 4x | $800 | $0 | $504 |
| 3 + Mega Ball | 5x | $1,000 | $0 | $630 |
| 3 + Mega Ball | 10x | $2,000 | $0 | $1,260 |
| 3 | 2x | $20 | $0 | $13 |
| 3 | 3x | $30 | $0 | $19 |
| 3 | 4x | $40 | $0 | $25 |
| 3 | 5x | $50 | $0 | $32 |
| 3 | 10x | $100 | $0 | $63 |
| 2 + Mega Ball | 2x | $20 | $0 | $13 |
| 2 + Mega Ball | 3x | $30 | $0 | $19 |
| 2 + Mega Ball | 4x | $40 | $0 | $25 |
| 2 + Mega Ball | 5x | $50 | $0 | $32 |
| 2 + Mega Ball | 10x | $100 | $0 | $63 |
| 1 + Mega Ball | 2x | $14 | $0 | $9 |
| 1 + Mega Ball | 3x | $21 | $0 | $13 |
| 1 + Mega Ball | 4x | $28 | $0 | $18 |
| 1 + Mega Ball | 5x | $35 | $0 | $22 |
| 1 + Mega Ball | 10x | $70 | $0 | $44 |
| Mega Ball only | 2x | $10 | $0 | $6 |
| Mega Ball only | 3x | $15 | $0 | $9 |
| Mega Ball only | 4x | $20 | $0 | $13 |
| Mega Ball only | 5x | $25 | $0 | $16 |
| Mega Ball only | 10x | $50 | $0 | $32 |
The $5 game and built-in multiplier
Since April 2025, a play costs $5 and includes a randomly assigned 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x multiplier printed on the ticket. The multiplier applies to every non-jackpot prize. Match 5 therefore pays $2 million to $10 million. There is no separate Megaplier purchase in this version of the game.
Unlike Powerball's fixed $2 million Match 5 Power Play prize, Mega Millions multiplies that tier in full. The jackpot itself is not multiplied. A ticket's multiplier is assigned at purchase rather than drawn with the winning numbers.
Use the cash amount for a non-jackpot prize
For a fixed prize from the table, select Other amount. Enter the same amount in millions in both the jackpot and cash fields: for a $20,000 prize, enter 0.02 in each. The jackpot cash ratio belongs only to advertised annuity jackpots.
Federal withholding is 24% only when proceeds exceed $5,000 after the wager. Exactly $5,000 does not cross that threshold. The tool treats the entered amount as proceeds. All prizes remain taxable, and the 37% estimate does not model your personal brackets or deductions. State and local tax may also apply.
Mega Millions questions
Can Match 5 pay $10 million?
Yes, on a 10x ticket outside California's variable prize structure. The table applies the same tax method to each multiplier.
Does a 10x ticket multiply the jackpot?
No. The multiplier applies only to non-jackpot tiers.
Why is my jackpot cash value smaller?
The advertised jackpot is a total of 30 growing payments. Cash is a separate immediate payout, before tax. It is not the advertised total less withholding.
Related tools and guides
Mega Millions $5 prize chart ? Lottery annuity schedule ? Powerball tax calculator ? Cash value guide
Sources
Game rules and prize chart checked November 5, 2026: Mega Millions: How to Play. Tax sources: IRS withholding instructions (2026), 2026 federal rate sources and method, and dated state guides below. Estimates, not tax advice.