U.S. · Tax forms
W-2G poker tournament reporting threshold.
Why the current instructions say "applicable reporting threshold" rather than a flat $5,000.
For a poker tournament, the sponsor files Form W-2G when net winnings, after subtracting the buy-in, meet or exceed the "applicable reporting threshold." The IRS What’s New note puts the minimum threshold at $2,000 for payments made in calendar year 2026 and points to Pub. 1099 and IRS.gov/InflationAdjustment for each type of gambling. The poker section itself does not state a flat $5,000.
Look it up
Result
Poker tournament W-2G boxes
| Box | Name | What the IRS instructions say |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Payments | Payments that meet or exceed the applicable reporting threshold in net gambling winnings from a poker tournament. |
| 2 | Date | The date of the poker tournament. |
| 3 | Type of wager | Enter "poker tournament" in the entry space. |
| 4 | Federal income tax withheld | Zero, unless the winner has not provided a TIN; then the backup withholding amount. |
| 5 | Tournament | The name of the tournament and its sponsor. |
| 6-8, 10 | Not applicable | Boxes 6 through 8 and box 10 do not apply to poker tournaments. |
Net of the buy-in, per tournament
The sponsor files for each person it pays winnings that meet or exceed the applicable reporting threshold, reduced by the wager or buy-in, from each poker tournament it has sponsored. Winnings and losses from other tournaments the sponsor ran during the year are not taken into account. Net winnings below the threshold are not subject to reporting, withholding or backup withholding.
Where $5,000 still appears
The $5,000 figure in the same instructions is the line for regular gambling withholding of 24% on other games (such as sweepstakes, lotteries and sports wagering): withholding applies when winnings minus the wager exceed $5,000. For poker tournaments, the instructions say regular gambling withholding does not apply if the sponsor files Form W-2G and gives the winner a copy. If the winner does not provide a TIN, backup withholding of 24% applies to the full amount of the winnings from the tournament.
Worked example
Sam pays a $1,000 buy-in and wins $3,500, so net winnings are $2,500. If the applicable threshold is the $2,000 minimum the IRS gives for 2026 payments, that is met, so the sponsor files Form W-2G with the tournament name and sponsor in box 5. If Sam gives a TIN, nothing is withheld. If he does not, 24% backup withholding applies to the full winnings. A different player nets $1,800 after buy-in: below the threshold, so no Form W-2G is required. Names and amounts are made up.
More from this set
Related pages: W-2G 300x Rule, W-2G Box 3. The 1099-R box 7 lookup and W-2 box 12 lookup cover the same kind of question for those forms.
Sources
- Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (Rev. January 2026): What’s New (2026 threshold), Withholding, Backup Withholding, and 4. Poker Tournaments. Read November 2, 2026.
IRS instructions as read on the date above; thresholds and revisions change. Names and amounts in worked examples are made up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the W-2G threshold for poker tournaments?
The instructions refer to the applicable reporting threshold and say the minimum threshold amount for payments made in calendar year 2026 is $2,000, adjusted yearly for inflation after 2025. They send readers to Pub. 1099 and IRS.gov/InflationAdjustment for each type of gambling. For poker it is applied to net winnings after the buy-in.
Is the poker tournament threshold still $5,000?
Not in the current instructions. They refer to the applicable reporting threshold. The $5,000 figure there relates to regular gambling withholding on other types of winnings.
Is the buy-in subtracted?
Yes. The threshold is measured against winnings reduced by the amount of the wager or buy-in for each tournament.
Is tax withheld from poker tournament winnings?
Regular gambling withholding does not apply if Form W-2G is filed and a copy is given to the winner. If the winner gives no TIN, backup withholding of 24% applies to the full winnings.
Do my other tournaments count together?
No. Winnings and losses from other poker tournaments the same sponsor runs are not taken into account in the threshold.
Not tax advice
This page summarizes IRS instructions, which are written mostly for the people who file the form, and is not tax, legal or financial advice. The payer, a CPA or an enrolled agent can confirm what a box means for your return. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.