The jackpot for the MEGA Millions draw on Fri Jan 2, 2026, is projected to be $157 Million, with an option for a cash payout of $72 Million. Should you be the lucky winner of the MEGA Millions jackpot, anticipate the IRS to initially withhold 24% of your winnings for taxes, and be prepared that you might need to pay up to an additional 13% in federal taxes at tax time. For Kentucky residents, the state will deduct 4.5% from your lottery earnings.
| Kentucky MEGA Millions Jackpot/Cash Option for Fri Jan 2, 2026 |
|---|
| Draw Date | Fri Jan 2, 2026 | | Projected Jackpot | $157,000,000 | | Cash Value | $72,000,000 |
| Lumpsum Option Taxes and Payment |
|---|
| Cash Gross Payment | $72,000,000 | | Federal Tax(24%) | $17,280,000 | | Additional Federal Tax | $9,320,330 | | State Tax(4.5%) | $3,240,000 | | Net Lumpsum Payment | $42,159,670 |
| Annuity Payment in 30 Installations |
|---|
| Yr |
Gross Payment |
Fed/State Taxes |
Net Payment |
| 1 |
$2,363,007 |
$834,643
$106,335 |
$1,422,029 |
| 2 |
$2,481,228 |
$878,385
$111,655 |
$1,491,188 |
| 3 |
$2,605,258 |
$924,276
$117,237 |
$1,563,745 |
| 4 |
$2,735,568 |
$972,491
$123,101 |
$1,639,976 |
| 5 |
$2,872,315 |
$1,023,087
$129,254 |
$1,719,974 |
| 6 |
$3,015,970 |
$1,076,239
$135,719 |
$1,804,012 |
| 7 |
$3,166,690 |
$1,132,006
$142,501 |
$1,892,183 |
| 8 |
$3,325,103 |
$1,190,618
$149,630 |
$1,984,855 |
| 9 |
$3,491,366 |
$1,252,136
$157,111 |
$2,082,119 |
| 10 |
$3,665,950 |
$1,316,732
$164,968 |
$2,184,250 |
| 11 |
$3,849,169 |
$1,384,523
$173,213 |
$2,291,433 |
| 12 |
$4,041,651 |
$1,455,741
$181,874 |
$2,404,036 |
| 13 |
$4,243,710 |
$1,530,503
$190,967 |
$2,522,240 |
| 14 |
$4,455,974 |
$1,609,041
$200,519 |
$2,646,414 |
| 15 |
$4,678,757 |
$1,691,470
$210,544 |
$2,776,743 |
| 16 |
$4,912,687 |
$1,778,025
$221,071 |
$2,913,591 |
| 17 |
$5,158,235 |
$1,868,877
$232,121 |
$3,057,237 |
| 18 |
$5,416,186 |
$1,964,319
$243,728 |
$3,208,139 |
| 19 |
$5,687,011 |
$2,064,524
$255,915 |
$3,366,572 |
| 20 |
$5,971,338 |
$2,169,725
$268,710 |
$3,532,903 |
| 21 |
$6,269,952 |
$2,280,213
$282,148 |
$3,707,591 |
| 22 |
$6,583,481 |
$2,396,218
$296,257 |
$3,891,006 |
| 23 |
$6,912,553 |
$2,517,975
$311,065 |
$4,083,513 |
| 24 |
$7,258,267 |
$2,645,889
$326,622 |
$4,285,756 |
| 25 |
$7,621,094 |
$2,780,135
$342,949 |
$4,498,010 |
| 26 |
$8,002,290 |
$2,921,178
$360,103 |
$4,721,009 |
| 27 |
$8,402,326 |
$3,069,191
$378,105 |
$4,955,030 |
| 28 |
$8,822,458 |
$3,224,640
$397,011 |
$5,200,807 |
| 29 |
$9,263,628 |
$3,387,873
$416,863 |
$5,458,892 |
| 30 |
$9,726,778 |
$3,559,238
$437,705 |
$5,729,835 |
|
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