Kentucky Lottery

KYLottery MEGA Millions Jackpot Analysis

The MEGA Millions jackpot for the draw on Tue Jan 6, 2026 is estimated to be $180 Million, with a cash option of 81.9 Million. If you win the MEGA Millions jackpot, the IRS will withhold 24% of your prize money upfront, and you may owe up to an additional 13% in federal taxes when the tax is due. Additionally, if you are a resident of Kentucky, your state will take 4.5% of your lottery winnings.

Please note that the calculation of the Powerball jackpot prizes and taxes below is based on FEDERAL INCOME TAX BRACKETS FOR 2023.

Kentucky MEGA Millions Jackpot/Cash Option for Tue Jan 6, 2026

Draw Date	Jackpot	Cash Option
Tue Jan 6, 2026	$180,000,000	$81,900,000

Lumpsum Option Taxes and Payment

Category	Amount
Cash Gross Payment	$81,900,000
Federal Tax(24%)	$19,656,000
Additional Federal Tax	$10,607,330
State Tax(4.5%)	$3,685,500
Net Lumpsum Payment	$47,951,170

Annuity Payment in 30 Installations

Year	Gross Payment	Fed/State Tax	Net Payment
1	$2,709,180	-$962,727 -$121,913	$1,624,540
2	$2,844,720	-$1,012,877 -$128,012	$1,703,831
3	$2,986,920	-$1,065,491 -$134,411	$1,787,018
4	$3,136,320	-$1,120,769 -$141,134	$1,874,417
5	$3,293,100	-$1,178,777 -$148,190	$1,966,133
6	$3,457,800	-$1,239,716 -$155,601	$2,062,483
7	$3,630,600	-$1,303,652 -$163,377	$2,163,571
8	$3,812,220	-$1,370,852 -$171,550	$2,269,818
9	$4,002,840	-$1,441,381 -$180,128	$2,381,331
10	$4,203,000	-$1,515,440 -$189,135	$2,498,425
11	$4,413,060	-$1,593,163 -$198,588	$2,621,309
12	$4,633,740	-$1,674,814 -$208,518	$2,750,408
13	$4,865,400	-$1,760,528 -$218,943	$2,885,929
14	$5,108,760	-$1,850,572 -$229,894	$3,028,294
15	$5,364,180	-$1,945,077 -$241,388	$3,177,715
16	$5,632,380	-$2,044,311 -$253,457	$3,334,612
17	$5,913,900	-$2,148,473 -$266,126	$3,499,301
18	$6,209,640	-$2,257,897 -$279,434	$3,672,309
19	$6,520,140	-$2,372,782 -$293,406	$3,853,952
20	$6,846,120	-$2,493,395 -$308,075	$4,044,650
21	$7,188,480	-$2,620,068 -$323,482	$4,244,930
22	$7,547,940	-$2,753,068 -$339,657	$4,455,215
23	$7,925,220	-$2,892,662 -$356,635	$4,675,923
24	$8,321,580	-$3,039,315 -$374,471	$4,907,794
25	$8,737,560	-$3,193,228 -$393,190	$5,151,142
26	$9,174,600	-$3,354,932 -$412,857	$5,406,811
27	$9,633,240	-$3,524,629 -$433,496	$5,675,115
28	$10,114,920	-$3,702,851 -$455,171	$5,956,898
29	$10,620,720	-$3,889,997 -$477,932	$6,252,791
30	$11,151,720	-$4,086,467 -$501,827	$6,563,426