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The Arkansas winner of the Dec. 24, 2025, Powerball drawing claimed the prize and chose the $834.9 million cash option instead of the advertised $1.817 billion annuity. Powerball reported 24% federal and 3.9% Arkansas state tax withholding for this claim. Applying those rates to the cash amount gives an estimated $602.0 million after withholding—not a disclosed final payment or the winner’s definitive tax bill.
How much could the Arkansas winner keep?
The winner’s selected cash option was $834.9 million before taxes. Powerball reported that 24% was withheld for federal taxes and 3.9% for Arkansas state taxes. Applying those two reported rates to the cash option leaves an estimated $602.0 million after withholding.
This is a calculation from the published figures, not a reported deposit or final after-tax amount. The claim announcement does not disclose the winner’s tax return or any later tax settlement. Arkansas rules subject lottery proceeds to federal and state income tax, so withholding should not be treated as proof of the winner’s ultimate tax liability: Arkansas Code of Rules, 23 CAR § 371-504.
What the winner chose: cash or annuity
The winner has claimed the prize and selected cash. The two advertised payout forms differ in timing and pre-tax total; neither advertised amount is an after-tax figure.
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| Option | Advertised amount | Payment schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | $834.9 million before taxes | One payment |
| Annuity | $1.817 billion before taxes | One initial payment followed by 29 annual payments, each 5% larger than the previous payment |
The annuity’s higher advertised total is spread across 30 payments rather than delivered at once. Powerball explains that the cash value generally reflects the amount in the jackpot pool needed to fund the estimated annuity; it is not simply a smaller version of a $1.817 billion account already held for the winner. See Powerball’s official FAQ for its explanation of cash value and the annuity schedule.
Where and when was the winning ticket sold?
The winning Quick Pick was sold at Murphy USA 7879, 208 S. Rockwood in Cabot, Arkansas, for the Dec. 24, 2025 drawing. Its numbers were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and Powerball 19. The jackpot had rolled over for 47 consecutive drawings before it was won, according to Powerball’s Jan. 22, 2026 claim report.
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What is known about the claim and the winner?
The winner claimed the prize and chose to remain anonymous, as reported by Powerball on Jan. 22, 2026. Arkansas’s Dec. 30 announcement said winners had 180 days from the drawing to claim and could remain anonymous for up to three years, with exceptions for elected officials and their close relatives. The lottery’s announcement is available at Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.
Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Executive Director Sharon Strong said the lottery was pleased the winner took time to seek legal counsel and financial advice before stepping forward. The public announcements do not identify the winner.
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Why do the withholding rates need context?
The 3.9% Arkansas rate is the figure Powerball reported for this winner’s claim, alongside 24% federal withholding. The Arkansas Lottery’s live claim guidance, accessed Oct. 7, 2026, lists a 3.7% state withholding rate instead. That current guidance is not a substitute for the claim-specific historical figure; rates and guidance can differ by context and date. The live guidance appears on the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery prize-claim page.
Withholding is money taken out at payout, not a complete calculation of the recipient’s final income-tax obligation. Arkansas rules require specified tax-reporting information for U.S. residents receiving more than $600 in lottery prizes, and lottery proceeds are subject to federal and Arkansas income tax. The winner’s final liability cannot be calculated from the two withholding percentages alone.
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- Made in the USA!
- Overall size: 4" x 9".
- Crafted of archival quality polypropylene plastic. Front is crystal clear; back is one of five gorgeous colors.
- Inside capacity of large pocket: 3 3/4" x 8 3/4".
- Inside capacity of small pocket: 3 3/4" x 2 1/8".
What the jackpot meant for Arkansas sales and the retailer
During the jackpot cycle, Powerball reported $15,021,939 in Arkansas Powerball cash sales and $768,267 in commissions statewide for retailers. Murphy USA 7879, where the winning ticket was sold, received a reported $50,000 retailer commission. These are figures tied to the jackpot cycle, not the winner’s prize or tax calculation.
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- Overall size: 4" x 9".
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