<P> Almost all prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw or the announced end of the game . If the 180th day is a weekend or holiday, the final claim date is extended to the next business day . Any unclaimed prize money is transferred to the education fund in addition to the minimum 34% that the Lottery is already obligated to transfer from income . </P> <P> Because many of the 44 Mega Millions participants have a one - year claim period, the California legislature changed the language in the Lottery Act . On April 23, 2008, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Member Van Tran's Assembly Bill 1251, modifying California Government Code section 8880.321 to allow for a one - year claim period for a Mega Millions jackpot prize . This is the only prize in California that has a one - year claim period . All other prizes have the 180 - day claim period . This legislation affected Mega Millions drawings after July 5, 2008 . </P> <P> All prizes for Fantasy 5, Daily Derby, Daily 3, Daily 4, and non-jackpot SuperLotto Plus, Mega Millions, and Powerball prizes, are paid out in one payment, less 25% or 33% (depending upon the winner's tax documentation) Federal withholding if the prize is over $5,000 . Merchandise prizes over $5,000 are subject to 33% Federal withholding . Scratchers tickets are generally one - payment prizes; however, some games have annuity options for payments each year, or per week . California does not tax California Lottery winnings, however it taxes lottery winnings from other jurisdictions . For SuperLotto Plus and Mega Millions jackpots, the player may choose a single cash payout for a floating percentage of the jackpot, or an annuity . The SuperLotto Plus, Mega Millions, and Powerball payment schedule are on a graduated basis over 30 annual payments . Until 2005, when California joined Mega Millions, the payment choice on SuperLotto Plus had to be made when the ticket was bought . Since then, there is a 60 - day window after winning, in which the choice of cash or annuity is to be made . </P> <P> Unclaimed prizes remaining after the claim period expires always go to supporting California's public schools . As of the end of FY 2011--12, a total of almost $750 million in unclaimed prizes have been awarded to education . </P>

What are the taxes on lottery winnings in california
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