Powerball Jackpot Hits $461 Million—Here’s How Much The Winner Could Take Home After Taxes

Forbes - Mar 23rd, 2025

The upcoming Powerball drawing on Monday presents a jackpot of $461 million after no winner was chosen in the Saturday night draw. The winning numbers were 6, 7, 25, 46, 57, and the red Powerball number was 12. Should someone win the Monday draw, they have the option to receive $461 million spread over 30 years or to take a lump sum of $217.2 million. However, after a 24% mandatory federal withholding tax and potential further taxation up to 37%, the actual take-home amount could be less than $137 million, excluding state taxes which vary dramatically depending on residence.

Despite the complexity of tax deductions, the $461 million prize is the largest Powerball jackpot of 2025 so far, surpassing the previous high of $328.5 million. This draws attention to the allure and challenges of lottery winnings, as the odds of winning remain steep at 1 in 292.2 million. The story underscores the significant impact of taxes on large lottery winnings and illustrates the importance of financial planning for potential winners. The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Monday at 10:59 p.m. EDT.

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RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and accurate overview of the upcoming Powerball drawing, with detailed information about the jackpot amount, the options for winners, and the tax implications. Its strengths lie in its clarity, timeliness, and public interest, as it effectively communicates relevant information to a general audience interested in the lottery.

However, the article could benefit from greater transparency in terms of source attribution and methodology explanation, which would enhance its credibility and allow readers to verify the claims independently. Additionally, while the article is highly readable and engaging, its potential impact is primarily informational, with limited capacity to drive broader societal or policy changes.

Overall, the article is a well-crafted piece of factual reporting that serves its purpose of informing readers about the upcoming Powerball drawing and the financial considerations for potential winners. Its focus on factual accuracy and clear communication makes it a reliable source of information for those interested in the lottery.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports the details regarding the Powerball jackpot, including the next drawing time, previous drawing results, and the options available to winners. The claim that the next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Monday at 10:59 p.m. EDT aligns with official lottery information. The story correctly states the winning numbers from the previous drawing and the lack of a winner, which is verifiable through lottery sources.

The article also accurately outlines the financial implications of winning, such as the choice between annuity payments and a lump-sum payout, and the tax implications at both federal and state levels. These claims are consistent with standard practices in lottery winnings and are supported by reliable sources like Lottery USA.

One potential area for verification is the exact figures mentioned for post-tax winnings, as these can vary slightly based on specific tax situations and any changes in tax laws. However, the figures provided are generally in line with typical calculations. The odds of winning the Powerball, stated as 1 in 292.2 million, are also accurate and can be confirmed through the lottery organizer's official statistics.

Balance

The article maintains a balanced perspective by focusing on factual information about the Powerball drawing and the financial aspects of winning the jackpot. It does not favor any particular viewpoint or omit significant perspectives, as the primary focus is on reporting the facts related to the lottery.

The piece could be considered slightly unbalanced if one were looking for a broader discussion on the social implications of lotteries or the impact of gambling. However, given the article's scope and purpose, which is to inform about the upcoming drawing and the mechanics of winning, it appropriately stays within its intended focus.

Overall, the article's balance is maintained by presenting the information in a straightforward manner, without delving into potential controversies or broader societal debates, which might be beyond the article's intended scope.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with clear language and a logical structure that makes it easy to follow. It effectively communicates the key points about the Powerball drawing, the options available to winners, and the financial implications of winning.

The use of specific figures for the jackpot, lump-sum payout, and tax implications adds precision and helps readers understand the financial impact of winning. The article's tone is neutral and factual, which aids in maintaining clarity and preventing any misunderstandings.

Overall, the article's clarity is high, as it presents complex financial information in a way that is accessible and easy for readers to comprehend.

Source quality

The article appears to rely on credible sources such as official lottery information and reputable financial analyses for its claims about the Powerball jackpot and tax implications. However, the article itself does not explicitly cite these sources, which could enhance its credibility.

While the information presented aligns with publicly available data from lottery organizers and financial experts, the lack of direct attribution to these sources slightly diminishes the perceived reliability. Including explicit references to the sources of information would strengthen the article's credibility and allow readers to verify the claims independently.

Overall, the source quality is good, but the article would benefit from clearer attribution to bolster its reliability further.

Transparency

The article provides a clear and straightforward presentation of the facts regarding the Powerball jackpot and the associated financial considerations. However, it lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the sources of its information, which would help readers understand the basis of its claims.

The article does not explain its methodology for calculating post-tax winnings or how it determined the specific figures mentioned. Providing more context about these calculations would enhance transparency and allow readers to understand the assumptions behind the numbers.

Overall, while the article is clear in its presentation, it could improve transparency by offering more detailed explanations of its information sources and calculation methods.