Posts
Across-the-board tax hikes and sharp spending cuts scheduled for January 1 in the US are likely to mean a higher rate of income tax for the most wealthy.
The married man, in his 30s, from a wealthy Phoenix suburb bought $10 (£6.20) worth of tickets and had kept the winning slip in the visor of his car overnight before realising he was a multimillionaire.
The man and his lawyer met with lottery officials on Friday, and he opted to take the cash option before taxes.
Lottery officials said he decided to take all of his share immediately to avoid potentially higher taxes in 2013.
Karen Bach, a lottery official, said: "He did have concern with the uncertainty with the fiscal cliff in 2013," referring to the federal fiscal situation that could result in higher income tax rates.
His wife is entitled to half the prize because Arizona is a community property state.
Officials said the man told them he enjoys his job and has no immediate plans to quit.
Lottery officials wouldn't say what he did for a living.
The man's winnings came after he gave $20 (£12) to the cashier of a Fountain Hills convenience store, and the clerk encouraged him to spend the entire amount on tickets. He declined the offer, and spent $10 (£6) instead..
"He and his wife couldn't believe it," Ms Bach said. "They checked the numbers over and over again - absolutely shocked."
After realising he had won, the man and his wife spent the weekend "trying to recover from the shock," she said.
The jackpot, which had rolled over 16 consecutive times without any winners, set off a nationwide buying frenzy
At one point, tickets were selling at nearly 130,000 a minute.
The largest lottery payout of all time came in March, when three ticket buyers shared a US$656 million (£409 million) jackpot in a Mega Millions drawing in March.
The unidentified winner later issued a statement that said: "It is difficult to express just how thankful we are for this wonderful gift.
"We are extremely grateful and feel fortunate to now have an increased ability to support our charities and causes. Obviously, this has been incredibly overwhelming and we have always cherished our privacy."
A mechanic and his wife, Mark and Cindy Hill, from Missouri, already have claimed their half of the multistate Powerball prize.
They said they hoped to stay true to their roots and keep living simply. Their 6-year-old daughter was at least hoping for a pony.
"We will still be going down to the corner café for breakfast or fish day. I can guarantee you," Cindy Hill said.
"You know it's just us. We're just normal human beings. We're as common as anybody. We just have a little bit more money."
Karen Bach, a lottery official, said: "He did have concern with the uncertainty with the fiscal cliff in 2013," referring to the federal fiscal situation that could result in higher income tax rates.
His wife is entitled to half the prize because Arizona is a community property state.
Officials said the man told them he enjoys his job and has no immediate plans to quit.
Lottery officials wouldn't say what he did for a living.
The man's winnings came after he gave $20 (£12) to the cashier of a Fountain Hills convenience store, and the clerk encouraged him to spend the entire amount on tickets. He declined the offer, and spent $10 (£6) instead..
"He and his wife couldn't believe it," Ms Bach said. "They checked the numbers over and over again - absolutely shocked."
After realising he had won, the man and his wife spent the weekend "trying to recover from the shock," she said.
The jackpot, which had rolled over 16 consecutive times without any winners, set off a nationwide buying frenzy
At one point, tickets were selling at nearly 130,000 a minute.
The largest lottery payout of all time came in March, when three ticket buyers shared a US$656 million (£409 million) jackpot in a Mega Millions drawing in March.
The unidentified winner later issued a statement that said: "It is difficult to express just how thankful we are for this wonderful gift.
"We are extremely grateful and feel fortunate to now have an increased ability to support our charities and causes. Obviously, this has been incredibly overwhelming and we have always cherished our privacy."
A mechanic and his wife, Mark and Cindy Hill, from Missouri, already have claimed their half of the multistate Powerball prize.
They said they hoped to stay true to their roots and keep living simply. Their 6-year-old daughter was at least hoping for a pony.
"We will still be going down to the corner café for breakfast or fish day. I can guarantee you," Cindy Hill said.
"You know it's just us. We're just normal human beings. We're as common as anybody. We just have a little bit more money."
0 comments:
Post a Comment