Tax On Winnings of Game Shows and Lottery

Nowadays there are several game shows – from the pioneering show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) to Fear Factor – and reality shows such as Indian Idol, Roadies, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Dance India Dance and DREAM 11 and JungleeRummy.

All these shows come with a large prize money – running into crores – or prizes such as a house or car. If you’ve every envied your neighbour for winning anything in shows and lucky draws, remember that the entire amount does not come into the winner’s hands. Any money or prize you win from a game show, reality show or lottery, is subject to tax deduction at source (TDS).

The Income Tax Act, 1961 specifies in Section 56(2)(ib) the ‘Income From Other Sources’ that are taxable. The Finance Act 2001 amended the description of games in relation to taxation – after KBC was launched in 2000 – to include television and electronic (online) game formats.

Under Section 194B, winnings from the following sources are subject to TDS of 30%:

• Lotteries and lucky draws
• Races
• Card games, gambling or betting
• Crossword puzzles
• TV or electronic competitive game shows

There is also a 4% education cess on this 30% tax. This brings the total tax on game show winnings to 31.2%. An additional 10% surcharge is also applicable on the winning amount if the amount is more than the applicable limits.

This TDS has to be deducted by the person or organisation responsible for paying the prize money to the winner.

Points of note on Taxation of Game Show Winnings

The following points are worth remembering in relation to TDS on prize money:

• Everyone – irrespective of their regular income, the amount of winnings, age or physical condition – has to pay a tax of 31.2%.
• The TDS of 31.2% is a flat tax on the winning amount; it will not be added to your income and you will not be able to benefit from your income tax rate slab.
• The prize money will be considered as separate from your income, and your regular income will be taxable as per your income tax rate slab.
• You do not get any deduction or exemption on tax in the case of game show prizes – even if you invest the prize money in any of the savings instruments mentioned under Sections 80C to 80U.
• If your winnings are in the form of a car or jewellery or apartment or any moveable or immovable asset, then you have to pay the TDS of 31.2% to the government before claiming the prize.
• For example, if you have won a car worth Rs. 8 lakh in a game show, you have to pay to the taxman Rs. 2,47,200 before you can drive the vehicle home. If you cannot afford to pay the amount, you may have to forsake the prize!
• The only exception to taxation on game show winnings is that you do not have to pay tax on the amount that you donate – partially or wholly – either to the government or back to the agency conducting the lottery/game show.