A quick stop at a Leander convenience store just turned into a multimillion-dollar moment. One ticket sold there matched all five white balls and the red Powerball in the May 2 drawing, making it one of only two jackpot winners nationwide. The prize will be split with another winning ticket sold in Florida, and state lottery officials and local retailers are rolling into the usual verification and claims routine that follows a major score.
According to Powerball, the winning numbers were white balls 25, 37, 42, 52, and 65, plus Powerball 14 with a Power Play of 3x. The official results list jackpot winners in Texas and Florida and show an estimated annuitized jackpot of $20 million with a cash option near $9.0 million.
Local coverage has pinpointed the lucky purchase to a QuickTrip in Leander. KHOU reports that lottery officials confirmed the match and identified the retailer, adding that the Texas winner will share the advertised jackpot with the Florida ticket holder while both claims are officially validated.
What should the winners do next?
Anyone who thinks they might be holding this ticket is being urged not to sprint straight to the claims office. Financial planners say the first move should be building a professional team. “Winners should meet with financial advisers, lawyers, and certified public accountants to make a plan,” Shean Fletcher told KHOU, advice that echoes what the Texas Lottery and tax professionals typically recommend.
Claiming, anonymity, and taxes
Prizes have to be claimed in the state where the winning ticket was bought, and the Texas Lottery details how large drawing prizes are verified and paid out, including in-person claims and required tax paperwork at a claim center, on its FAQ page. As Fox 7 Austin notes, Texas law allows winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous. The Texas Comptroller also points out that the state does not levy a personal income tax.
Federally, the IRS treats lottery winnings as taxable gambling income, and large payouts trigger specific reporting and withholding rules. Winners should expect federal tax forms and possible withholding as part of the payment process. The agency lays out those details in IRS Publication 525.
If you suspect the winning ticket is in your wallet or wedged under a magnet on your fridge, state officials say to sign the back immediately, keep it somewhere secure, and contact the Texas Lottery claim center or a trusted attorney before making big moves. The Lottery will then validate the ticket, walk through options such as annuity versus lump-sum payments, and explain the documentation needed to collect the prize.
