If you win a prize on a scratch-off in Michigan, you have one year from the game’s end date to come forward and claim your money. It is easy to redeem a winning ticket, but you need to know what procedures to follow.
Find out below how to claim prizes of different values, plus all the tax information you need to know.
Your identity may be disclosed if you win a prize up to $10,000, but for larger amounts you have to give your consent for the MI Lottery to release your name.
Prizes of $600 or Below – You can claim prizes of this value by visiting a Michigan Lottery retailer. It may not always be possible to cash in your tickets, as some retailers may not have enough cash available to pay you out, but there are approximately 11,000 businesses in the state that sell lottery tickets and can redeem prizes. The other claiming option for prizes up to $600 is to send in your ticket by mail.
Prizes Between $600 and $99,999 – For prizes of this value, you need to provide a claim form, a valid form of photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) and your Social Security number. You can claim by mail or make an appointment at one of the Michigan Lottery’s regional offices by calling 1-844-917-6325. You can also drop off your winning ticket and attached documentation at one of the regional offices. The check for these claims will be mailed to the winner at the address shown on the Ticket Receipt Form.
Prizes of $100,000 and Above – If you win a top prize of $100,000 or more, you have to claim your prize in person from the Michigan Lottery’s headquarters in Lansing. If you win a prize that has an annuity option, you must decide within 60 days of claiming it whether you wish to take the annual payments or the lump sum.
Here are the addresses of the Michigan Lottery’s regional offices. You can claim prizes of up to $99,999 from any of these locations, but you must go to the headquarters in Lansing for larger amounts.
If you win a prize of up to $99,999, the simplest way to claim your money is possibly by mail. All you need to do is send in your signed winning ticket, valid form of ID, Social Security number and Ticket Receipt form to the address shown below.
Prizes under $600 are not subject to tax, while winnings between $600 and $5,000 only have to be reported by the Michigan Lottery to the Inland Revenue Service and Department of Treasury. You are then required to report the income, but there will be no deductions to your payout. For prizes above $5,000, federal taxes will be withheld at a rate of 24 percent, along with 4.25 percent in state taxes. Federal taxes are higher for non-U.S. residents, while it is always recommended that you speak to a financial expert in the event of a big win.