Are foreigners allowed to play lottery in U. S. A?

[Anonymous]

Tourists

[horatiohornblower]

Yes, you can play.

As for taxes. I believe it is treated as the income being earned where the ticket was bought. So, if you bough it in the New York. The IRS and New York Department of Taxation and Finance would treat it as if you won the lottery (earned income) in New York.

You would pay state income taxes and federal income taxes (perhaps city and county too). As for your country. It would all depend on how they classify it. I think some countries have no taxes on gambling or specifically lottery winnings. Although foreign lotteries may not count. They may also not tax foreign earned income. If they do. You'd likely be able to deduct any taxes you had to pay to the US.

As you'd also likely be transferring all that money from the US to a foreign account. If it was a multi-million dollar jackpot. You'd likely also need to file a bunch of forms with FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). Because of the Bank Secrecy Act. Which is mostly an anti-money laundering measure. These are separate forms than you'd file with the IRS.

You'd want a CPA in the US well versed in international taxes. As a misstep can result in huge penalties or jail time. Everything needs to be reported correctly. In your country you'd also want whatever the equivalent of a CPA is. Although your Tax Code probably isn't as difficult to understand as ours.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely yes my fuck buddy visited me few months ago and she played n won...

[Anonymous]

Yes, money is money.

[Asker]

What if they win and they are already in their own country? Lol

[Opinion Owner]

It's not like they get the money in a suitcase filled with cash. The money can be wired to their bank account.

[KostasKouvalis]

How would that work on taxes though? Would they have to pay taxes to BOTH countries?
I thought they get a check

[Opinion Owner]

@KostasKouvalis

I have no idea how the taxes would work, but I'm sure the US would want their cut. As for the check part, I believe the last power ball payoff was 2 billion. I wouldn't feel safe walking around town with a check for 2 billion in my pocket. I'm sure they have many methods of payment that are safer than a check.

[KostasKouvalis]

The US would 100% want their cut! But I don't even know how a foreign citizen would file with the IRS.

I always think it's so dumb that they allow their name and face to be posted all over national television. I'm always like, "Those people are gonna get robbed and I'm gonna laugh"
I think someone actually DID get robbed not too long ago.

[Asker]

Actually I think its part of the law its not the people who wanted it.

[Opinion Owner]

@KostasKouvalis
They'll just take their cut and give you the rest.

[Opinion Owner]

Thanks for the MHO.

[TrillXHippy]

Nobody is gonna do an entire stupid background check just so foreigners can play the freaking lottery. We don’t care where you’re from

[Guy13]

Yes they are and win.

[Asker]

What if they win and they are already in their own country?

[Guy13]

That’s a risk sending ticket to you but Fed Ex etc is the way to do that. Open BOA, Chase, or Wells Fargo checking with 10,000 deposit and get free money transfer back to her country.

[_Just_A_girl_]

I don't know

but is it fair

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course they can.