How Much the $989M Mega Millions Winner in Georgia Will Actually Take Home After Taxes

The $989M Mega Millions winner in Georgia is now the newest lottery millionaire in America after hitting one of the biggest jackpots of 2025. The winning ticket ended the longest drought in the game’s history. But despite the huge jackpot, the winner will take home far less after taxes.

The ticket was bought at a Publix grocery store in Newnan, a small city southwest of Atlanta. Officials confirmed the jackpot hit after 40 consecutive drawings without a winner. The new payout details show how much the lucky player will actually receive.

What the $989M Mega Millions Winner Will Really Get

The winning numbers were 1, 8, 11, 12, 57 and the Mega Ball 7. The odds of matching all six numbers were 1 in 290,472,336 according to Mega Millions. The jackpot grew over several weeks as no one matched the winning combination. This made Friday’s drawing one of the most anticipated in recent months.

Georgia taxes lottery winnings at 5.14 percent. The IRS also withholds 24 percent in federal taxes on large lottery payouts. This means the $989M Mega Millions winner will not receive anywhere near the advertised jackpot. According to national lottery estimates, the lump sum drops significantly even before taxes are applied.

If the winner chooses the lump sum option, the take-home amount after taxes is expected to be around 240 million dollars. This figure includes the mandatory federal withholding and Georgia’s income tax rate. It is still a massive windfall but far from the nearly one billion dollars shown in the jackpot display.

The annuity option pays out the full prize over 30 years. Analysts estimate this will total about 522 million dollars after taxes. Annual payments would average 17.4 million dollars before additional tax calculations. Some winners choose this option because it provides long-term financial security.

The Mega Millions Consortium announced that this was the largest prize won since ticket prices increased from 2 dollars to 5 dollars earlier this year. Officials said the price change was designed to increase odds of winning smaller prizes and create larger jackpots. The lead director confirmed that the 983 million dollar figure represents the biggest win since those rule changes took effect in April.

Why the Jackpot Matters for Georgia and Mega Millions Players

The winner may remain anonymous under Georgia law. Anyone claiming more than 250,000 dollars can request confidentiality. This makes it unlikely that the public will learn the identity of the person who won the jackpot. Lottery experts say anonymity protects winners from scams and harassment.

Winning tickets must be redeemed within 180 days. They must also be claimed in the state where the ticket was purchased. This is standard lottery procedure and ensures all claims follow state regulations.

The jackpot now resets to 50 million dollars for the next drawing. Numbers will be drawn again on Tuesday. This reset is part of the Mega Millions structure that ensures the prize begins at a guaranteed base amount after every jackpot hit.

The $989M Mega Millions winner has won one of the largest prizes of the year. The final take-home amount is far smaller than the headline figure but still life changing. Georgia players and lottery fans nationwide will now turn their attention to the next drawing as the cycle begins again.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: How much will the $989M Mega Millions winner actually take home?

The estimated lump sum after taxes is around 240 million dollars. This includes federal and state withholdings. The annuity option pays out about 522 million dollars over 30 years.

Q2: Where was the winning Mega Millions ticket purchased?

The winning ticket was purchased at a Publix grocery store in Newnan, Georgia. The store is located about 35 miles southwest of Atlanta.

Q3: What were the winning Mega Millions numbers?

The numbers were 1, 8, 11, 12, 57 and the Mega Ball 7. These numbers ended a long jackpot drought.

Q4: Can the Mega Millions winner stay anonymous in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia allows lottery winners to remain anonymous if their prize exceeds 250,000 dollars. Many winners choose confidentiality for privacy and safety.

Q5: When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

The next drawing is on Tuesday. The jackpot resets to 50 million dollars after the win.