Arkansas lottery taxes: 3.7% in 2026
Rate checked on November 5, 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this page.
Arkansas has cut its top income tax rate twice in recent years: from 4.4% to 3.9% in 2024, then to 3.7% for 2026 and later years. The latest cut came in the 2026 First Extraordinary Session (HB 1001 and SB 1, signed May 6, 2026), and the Department of Finance and Administration's withholding formula effective January 1, 2026 already uses 3.7%.
A jackpot is far above the top bracket, so the state share is 3.7% of the prize.
Take-home pay on a lump-sum prize in Arkansas
The table applies the top federal rate of 37% plus 3.7% Arkansas tax. Amounts are the cash (lump-sum) value you receive, not the advertised annuity jackpot.
| Cash prize | Federal (37%) | State | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.00M | −$370,000 | −$37,000 | $593,000 |
| $10.00M | −$3.70M | −$370,000 | $5.93M |
| $100.00M | −$37.00M | −$3.70M | $59.30M |
| $500.00M | −$185.00M | −$18.50M | $296.50M |
| $1.00B | −$370.00M | −$37.00M | $593.00M |
Federal figure is the total owed at the top bracket. At claim time only 24% is withheld; the rest is due when you file. Smaller prizes can fall into lower brackets, so the real federal bill may be less.
What is withheld when you claim
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery's claim page says the state requires it to withhold 3.7% tax on prizes of more than $5,000, the same line as the 24% federal withholding. Since the rate is the top rate, the state withholding is normally close to the full Arkansas tax on a big prize.
Be careful with older material. Lottery press releases from December 2025 and March 2026 still mention 3.9% state withholding, the previous top rate, and some much older game rules mention 7%. If you won in early 2026, check your Form W-2G to see what was actually withheld; any difference is settled on your Arkansas return.
Nonresidents: check with the state
The Lottery withholds 3.7% on prizes over $5,000 without mentioning residency, but we could not confirm on an official page how Arkansas taxes a nonresident winner when they file. Residents of Texas, Tennessee, Missouri and Oklahoma who buy in Arkansas should check with the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery or the DFA. See our Texas, Tennessee, Missouri and Oklahoma guides.
Local taxes
Arkansas cities and counties do not levy an income tax.
Common questions
What is Arkansas's tax rate on lottery winnings in 2026?
The top rate of 3.7%, down from 3.9%, for 2026 and later years.
How much does the Arkansas Lottery withhold?
3.7% state tax and 24% federal tax on prizes over $5,000, according to its claim page. Older press releases still say 3.9%.
How much of a $10 million cash prize would I keep in Arkansas?
About $5.93 million after 37% federal and 3.7% state tax.
Sources
- IRS Topic 419: Gambling income and losses
- IRS Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754
- Arkansas Legislature: DFA fiscal impact statement, HB 1001 (top rate 3.7% from 2026, PDF)
- Governor of Arkansas: HB 1001 and SB 1 signed (May 6, 2026)
- Arkansas DFA: Withholding tax formula effective 01/01/2026 (3.7%, PDF)
- Arkansas Scholarship Lottery: Claim a prize (3.7% withheld over $5,000)
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