Tax Preparer Pockets $1M in Lottery Win

At least somebody’s going to have a good tax season: Van Nuys, Calif., preparer Gene Taylor has won $1 million in his state lottery, according to published reports.

Taylor, listed in the PTIN Directory as proprietor of Gene A Taylor Tax Services, told media outlets that he picked up a $10 lottery ticket on the way to drop off his dry cleaning. The ticket reportedly won $15, so he kicked in an additional $5 and bought two more tickets. One of the two produced the $1 million prize.

Taylor’s prize is subject to federal taxes calculated at a 25 percent rate, reports added, but California Lottery pays the tax bill on winnings in this special game.

Reports also added a fact unlikely to endear Taylor to long-time lottery losers: He just recently won $11,000 on two tickets. He told news outlets that he plans to replace his vehicle, buy his sister a new car possibly move to a new neighborhood -- and definitely keep playing the lottery.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Tax practice
MORE FROM ACCOUNTING TODAY