Lottery Winner

[David7548]

In Jan 2016, a client won $10,000 in the New York Lottery. He presented me with a bag of losing lottery tickets purchased in 2016 and a signed statement that these losing tickets add up to an amount that exceed $10,000. Is this adequate to meet the Sch A write off or are there other restrictions. Thanks!

[TAXNJ]

Sounds like it may be since you are reviewing the supporting info BUT reference The Taxbook Tabs 3-18 & 4-25 for additional info that you need to make your final decision.

[New York Enrolled Agent]

In Jan 2016, a client won $10,000 in the New York Lottery. He presented me with a bag of losing lottery tickets purchased in 2016 and a signed statement that these losing tickets add up to an amount that exceed $10,000. Is this adequate to meet the Sch A write off or are there other restrictions. Thanks!

Did he present a bag of the occasional winnings on lottery tickets? I gather he won a $10,000 prize on a single W-2G. You would have a hard time convincing me that he won nothing else during the course of the year on all those lottery tickets. Thus, lottery winnings probably exceed the $10K.

[JohnH]

Are there any shoe prints or garbage stains on any of the losing tickets?

[David7548]

Did he present a bag of the occasional winnings on lottery tickets? I gather he won a $10,000 prize on a single W-2G. You would have a hard time convincing me that he won nothing else during the course of the year on all those lottery tickets. Thus, lottery winnings probably exceed the $10K.

Excellent point... my thoughts exactly, which my client does not support... Thank you