South Florida is officially in lottery fever territory. After Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing came and went without a grand prize winner, the jackpot climbed to an estimated $604 million. The winning white balls were 2, 31, 35, 36 and 63, and the Mega Ball was 12. The next drawing is scheduled for Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern, with an advertised annuity of $604 million and a lump-sum cash option of about $266.3 million.
Numbers, No Winner and the Cash Option
The official Mega Millions page lists Tuesday’s winning numbers as 2, 31, 35, 36 and 63, with Mega Ball 12, according to Mega Millions. Because no ticket matched all five white balls and the Mega Ball, the advertised jackpot increased to $604 million, with a cash option near $266.3 million as reported by CBS12.
How Much a Winner Would Actually Take Home
The roughly $266.3 million cash payout is paid as a lump sum and will face federal withholding. After the mandatory 24% withholding, the immediate take home would be about $202.4 million before any additional federal taxes, according to Forbes. That estimate does not reflect the ultimate federal tax bill, which depends on a winner’s other income and tax strategy, and Florida law bars state or local taxes on lottery prizes, meaning a Florida resident would not owe a state levy on top of federal tax per the Florida Senate.
When to Check Your Ticket
Mega Millions drawings occur at 11 p.m. Eastern every Tuesday and Friday, and the game posts results and draw videos on its website after each drawing. Players can check winning numbers on the official Mega Millions site or at local lottery retailers.
What South Florida Players Should Know
For South Florida players, the big local detail is tax treatment: a Florida resident who purchased a winning ticket would not owe state income tax on the prize and would only face federal tax withholding. The Florida Lottery’s winner guidance explains claiming procedures, withholding rules and where to present large winning tickets. Prospective winners are typically advised to sign and secure any winning ticket and consult legal and financial advisers before claiming, per the Florida Lottery.
