08/12/2026
🎰 BIG CHANGE FOR GAMBLERS — TAX YEAR 2026
If you have gambling winnings, there’s an important tax law change you need to know about for 2026.
Starting with tax year 2026, the federal deduction for gambling losses is limited to 90% of your gambling losses, and the deduction still cannot exceed your gambling winnings.
Example:
If you have:
- $50,000 in gambling winnings
- $50,000 in documented gambling losses
Under the new 2026 rule, you may only be able to deduct $45,000 of those losses — potentially leaving $5,000 of gambling income taxable.
Keep your:
✔️ Casino win/loss statements
✔️ Sportsbook statements
✔️ W-2Gs
✔️ Betting records
✔️ Bank/credit card records
✔️ A detailed personal gambling log
And remember — a W-2G does not necessarily tell the whole story of your gambling activity. Proper documentation of both winnings and losses is critical when preparing your tax return.
If you gamble regularly, 2026 is a year you definitely want to plan for before tax season.
📩 Have questions about how the new gambling loss rules could affect your 2026 tax return? Contact Freedom Financial Accounting Solutions.