Mega Millions Jackpot Hits $604 Million—Here’s What The Winner Could Take Home

The six numbers drawn on Tuesday night were 2, 31, 35, 36, 63 and Mega Ball 12.

If a winner emerges in the next draw, they will get to choose between taking the $604 million split over 30 annual installments or receiving a one-time lump-sum payout of $266.3 million—the preferred option for most winners.

If the cash payout is chosen, the winnings will first drop to around $202.4 million after a mandatory 24% federal withholding is applied.

The winner is likely to face a federal marginal rate as high as 37%, depending on their overall taxable income, further slashing their winnings to around $167.8 million.

If the installment option is chosen, the winner’s annual payments of around $20.1 million would fall to $12.7 million after the 37% federal marginal tax rate is applied.

Depending on where they live, the winner could face additional taxes, as some states, such as New York, tax lottery winnings at 10.9%, while others, such as Texas, Florida, and California, don’t.