Mega Millions Rollover
Mega Millions Jackpot Nears $800 Million After No Winner; Tax Impact on Winnings Explained
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Key Points
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The Mega Millions cash option of $344.2 million would be subject to immediate federal taxes of 23%, with potential federal marginal rates up to 37% later on, potentially dropping net winnings to about $216.9 million; state taxes vary (New York at 10.9% cited, while states like Texas, Florida and California do not tax lottery winnings).
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For a $600 million Powerball jackpot, the lump-sum cash option after taxes would be about $165.6 million, illustrating how tax implications can drastically shrink the advertised prize across the two major lotteries this weekend.
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The Mega Millions jackpot at $800 million is tying for the ninth-largest all-time and is the largest Mega Millions prize of 2026 so far, underscoring how the rollover has pushed the prize into historic territory this year.
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Friday’s drawing produced several third-tier prizes from multiple tickets (13 matched four white balls plus Mega Ball), with California leading the distribution of these third-tier winners (the payout for these tiers depends on the multiplier chosen).
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Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, and there are online or digital options in some jurisdictions (e.g., Kentucky online sales; Ohio and Indiana customers can use Jackpocket to order tickets), highlighting evolving purchasing avenues alongside traditional in-store buys.
The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to roughly $800 million after Friday's drawing produced no winner, making it the ninth-largest jackpot in lottery history and the biggest Mega Millions prize of 2026, according to Herald Tribune. The winning numbers were 2, 5, 42, 44, 60, and Mega Ball 1. The next drawing is Tuesday.
Friday marked the 37th straight drawing without a grand prize winner. Combined with a $600 million Powerball jackpot, the two major lotteries are dangling roughly $1.3 billion in prizes this weekend, according to Palm Beach Post.
What You'd Actually Take Home After Taxes
The $800 million prize sounds enormous. But most winners take the lump-sum cash option, which is $344.2 million — less than half the advertised amount. Federal taxes shave off another big chunk right away.
The government withholds 23% immediately, dropping the payout to about $261.6 million. At tax time, the top federal rate of 37% could push the bill higher, cutting the total to roughly $216.9 million. State taxes bite further. New York, for example, taxes lottery winnings at 10.9%, according to Palm Beach Post. Winners in Texas, Florida, or California pay zero state tax on lottery prizes.
Powerball Also Surging Toward $600 Million
Mega Millions is not alone in the spotlight. The Powerball jackpot hit $600 million for Saturday's July 25 drawing, after no one matched all numbers in Wednesday's draw, according to Herald Tribune. The jackpot jumped from $567 million in just days.
The math is brutal for Powerball winners too. The lump-sum cash option for a $600 million Powerball jackpot would leave about $165.6 million after taxes, according to PNJ. That is less than 28 cents on the dollar from the advertised prize.
37 Rollovers Pushed the Prize Into Historic Territory
A rollover happens when no ticket matches all numbers. The pot then grows for the next drawing. Mega Millions has rolled over 37 straight times, pushing the prize from a much smaller starting point into the top 10 all-time, according to Palm Beach Post.
Friday's drawing did produce smaller winners. Thirteen tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball, earning third-tier prizes. California led the country in those winners. The odds of hitting the jackpot remain about 1 in 290 million — roughly the same chance as flipping heads 28 times in a row.
Where and How You Can Buy a Ticket
Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states. Most people buy at gas stations or grocery stores. But digital options are growing. Kentucky now allows online lottery sales. Ohio and Indiana players can use the app Jackpocket to order tickets, according to Herald Tribune.
The odds do not change based on how you buy. But buying in a no-income-tax state like Florida or Texas means you keep more if you win. The next Mega Millions drawing is Tuesday. Each ticket costs $2.
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