Gambling Winnings and Losses

If you did some gambling this year, you should be aware of the applicable federal income tax rules. You generally must report 100% of your gross gambling winnings as income. They are subject to your regular federal income tax rate, which can be as high as 35% for 2010. You can write off your wagering losses as an itemized deduction. However, your losses cannot exceed your winnings for the year. Any excess losses are nondeductible and cannot be carried over to future years.

If you qualify as a professional gambler, your gross winnings and wagering losses are reported similar to any other business. However, your deductible gambling losses are still limited to your winnings. Any excess losses are nondeductible and cannot be carried over to future years. In addition, you may also be able to deduct travel expenses and other out-of-pocket costs of being a professional gambler.

In either case, you must adequately document your gambling losses to keep the IRS happy. The government says you must compile the following information in a log or similar record: (a) the date and type of specific wager or wagering activity, (b) the name and address or location of the gambling establishment, (c) the names of other persons (if any) present with you at the gambling establishment, and (d) the amount won or lost.

For example, the IRS says you can document income and losses from wagering on table games by recording the number of the table that you played and by keeping statements showing casino credit that was issued to you. For lotteries, your wins and losses can be documented by winning statements and unredeemed tickets. If you play the slot machines, you can document your winnings and losses by keeping a chart or table summarizing the amount you started play with at each casino visit and the amount cashed out at the end of the day.

Last, but not least, be aware that amounts you win may have to be reported to you by the gambling establishment on IRS Form W-2G (Certain Gambling Winnings). In some cases, federal income tax may have to be withheld. Any time a Form W-2G is issued to you, the IRS gets a copy. So, the government will expect to see the winnings show up on your tax return.