Updated October 19, 2026. Quick answer: A sports bet produces a Form W-2G when the winnings meet the reporting threshold and are at least 300 times the wager. The payer withholds 24% when the winnings minus the wager exceed $5,000, and the sole winner signs the form. Box 6 names the sporting event, and box 4 goes on Form 1040 as tax withheld.
When a sports bet is reported
Sports wagering is new to the instructions. Under What’s New: “A section has been added with information on reporting gambling winnings earned from wagering on sports.”
The rule itself: “File Form W-2G for every person to whom you pay gambling winnings meeting or exceeding the applicable reporting threshold, if the winnings are at least 300 times the amount of the wager.”
The reporting threshold is not a fixed number across years. The instructions say: “For calendar years after 2025, the minimum threshold amount for reporting certain payments and backup withholding on certain information returns, including the Form W-2G, will be adjusted yearly for inflation.” “The minimum threshold amount for payments made in calendar year 2026 is $2,000.”
For the other boxes on the form, see the Form W-2G boxes guide.
What each box shows for a sports bet
Box 6, labelled Race on the form, is where a sporting event is entered for this game.
| Box | What the payer’s instructions say |
|---|---|
| Box 1, reportable winnings | “Enter payments that meet or exceed the applicable reporting threshold if the payment is at least 300 times the wager.” |
| Box 2, date won | “Enter the date of the winning event.” “This isn’t the date the money was paid if it was paid after the date of the sporting event.” |
| Box 3, type of wager | “Enter the type of wager or sport bet.” |
| Box 4, federal income tax withheld | “Enter any federal income tax withheld, whether regular gambling withholding or backup withholding.” |
| Boxes 5, 8 and 10 | “Not applicable.” |
| Box 6, race | “Enter the sporting event applicable to the winnings.” |
| Box 7, winnings from identical wagers | “Enter the amount of additional winnings from identical wagers.” |
| Box 9, winner’s TIN | “This is required information.” “Enter the TIN of the person receiving the winnings.” |
| Boxes 11 and 12, identification | “As verification of the name, address, and TIN of the person receiving the winnings, enter the identification numbers from two forms of identification.” |
| Boxes 13 to 18, state and local | “These boxes are provided for your convenience only and need not be completed for the IRS.” |
Withholding
The payer’s instructions say: “You must withhold federal income tax from the winnings if the winnings minus the wager exceed $5,000 and the winnings are at least 300 times the wager.” “Withhold 24% of the proceeds (the winnings minus the wager).” “This is regular gambling withholding.”
If the payer does not have your number, a second rule fills the gap below that level: “Backup withholding applies if the winnings meet or exceed the applicable reporting threshold but not more than $5,000 and are at least 300 times the wager.” “Figure backup withholding on the amount of the winnings reduced, at the option of the payer, by the amount wagered.” A Form W-9 is the usual way to give a payer your number. See also Form W-2G box 4 and boxes 13 to 18.
Signature and sole winner
The instructions say: “If the person receiving the winnings is the sole winner” the payer completes the form with the winner’s name, address and TIN, and “If gambling withholding is required, the winner must sign Form W-2G, under penalties of perjury, stating that they are the sole winner and that the information listed on the form is correct.” The winner’s copy says the same thing: “You must sign Form W-2G if you are the only person entitled to the winnings and the winnings are subject to regular gambling withholding.”
Identical wagers
Box 7 follows this rule: “are added together for purposes of reporting and withholding requirements.” “Two or more wagers are identical wagers if they are placed with the same payer and winning depends on the occurrence (or non-occurrence) of the same event or events.” The instructions note that these rules “affect boxes 1, 4, and 7”. Box 1 and box 7 are explained together in Form W-2G boxes 1 and 7.
More than one winner and Form 5754
A shared bet is handled on a separate form. The winner’s copy says: “Prepare Form 5754 if another person is entitled to any part of these winnings.”
The payer’s instructions explain when the form is used: “only when the person receiving gambling winnings subject to reporting or withholding isn’t the actual winner or is a member of a group of two or more people sharing the winnings”. For the amount, “If more than one person shares in the winnings from a single wager, the total amount of the winnings (minus the amount wagered) will determine the amount of the proceeds for purposes of reporting and withholding.” “Do not allocate winnings to each winner before determining whether the withholding or reporting thresholds were reached.” “Do not send Form 5754 to the IRS.” “Keep it for your records.”
Where it goes on the return
The winner’s copy of the form tells you where each part goes. For box 1: “Generally, report all gambling winnings under the” Other income line of Schedule 1 (Form 1040), and the Schedule 1 lines 8a and 8b page covers that part of the return. For box 4: “Include the amount shown in box 4 on your Form 1040 or 1040-SR as federal income tax withheld.” That is the line described on the Form 1040 line 25 page.
The winner’s copy also says: “Keep an accurate record of your winnings and losses, and be able to prove those amounts with receipts, tickets, statements, or similar items that you have saved.”
Edition and box numbers
This page reads Form W-2G (Rev. January 2026) and the Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (Rev. January 2026), the current files irs.gov served on 2026-10-19. The instructions state: “Form W-2G and its instructions have been converted from an annual revision to continuous use.” “Both the form and instructions will be updated as needed.” No earlier edition is compared here. Check the year and edition printed on the form you received, because box numbers can change between editions.
Common mistakes
- Splitting a shared bet before applying the withholding test. The instructions say “Do not allocate winnings to each winner before determining whether the withholding or reporting thresholds were reached.”
- Skipping the signature. The winner’s copy says “You must sign Form W-2G if you are the only person entitled to the winnings and the winnings are subject to regular gambling withholding.”
- Sending Form 5754 to the IRS. The instructions say “Do not send Form 5754 to the IRS.”
Related: Schedule 1 lines 8a and 8b, Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Form 1040 line 25, and Form W-9.
Sources
- Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings (Rev. January 2026), with Instructions to Winner: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw2g.pdf
- Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (Rev. January 2026): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw2g.pdf
- IRS: About Form W-2G: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2g
Read from the IRS documents linked above on October 19, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a preparer, the account provider or the IRS is the right place to confirm anything consequential.