A MAN from Macomb County, Michigan has become thousands of dollars richer.
To his disbelief, he realized he had won a lottery prize of $25,000 a year for life – but at a cost.
Donald Heilig, 69, secured the big prize when his Lucky For Life ticket matched the five white balls drawn on April 19: 5-8-24-28-34.
He purchased the winning ticket at Hub Sports Bistro at 16780 21 Mile Road in Macomb Township, Michigan, north of Detroit.
“I play the lottery regularly, usually on the Daily 4,” Heilig said, according to the Michigan Lottery website.
“But on April 19th I decided to try Lucky For Life.”
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Waking up at 2:30 a.m., Heilig said he drew the winning numbers before going back to bed.
It was very difficult for him to discern whether he was still in the dream realm or whether he had actually made it, given the late hour of the night.
“The next morning I asked my wife to look at the ticket to make sure I had really won,” he said. “We must have checked the ticket at least 10 times before claiming the prize.”
Heilig recently visited lottery headquarters to collect his winnings, according to the Michigan Lottery website.
He opted for a one-time payment of $390,000 rather than annuity payments of $25,000 annually for 20 years or for life.
He then added that he intends to buy a car for his wife and save the rest.
BEFORE YOU COMPLAIN
For prizes greater than $5,000, the lottery is required to withhold 24% for federal income tax and 4.25% for Michigan state income tax.
However, these withholdings may not fully cover your tax obligations.
It is advisable to seek guidance from an accountant, tax attorney or financial planner to determine your total tax obligations, e.g. Michigan Lottery.
Lottery winnings are categorized as income, so you received a W-2G form to file your personal income taxes.
The prize amount and tax withholdings are reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Michigan Department of Treasury, according to the state’s lottery website.
For prizes of $1,000 or more, state law requires the Lottery to verify with the Treasury Department whether the winner owes any outstanding taxes, child support (Friend of the Court) or fees to the Secretary of State.
This also includes court judgments or any other debts turned over to the state of Michigan for collection.
If the winner has any outstanding debt, we are obliged to retain the amount of the debt, up to the full value of the prize.
Top US Lottery Winners
Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.
- Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, November 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, October 11, 2023, California.
- Unknown Winner – $1.602 Billion, Mega Millions, August 8, 2023, Florida.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta of Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson of Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, January 13, 2016.
- Unknown Winner – $1.537 Billion, Mega Millions, October 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Winner unknown – he sued his child’s mother to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, January 13, 2023, from Maine.
- Unknown Winner – $1.337 Billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
- Cheng and Duanpen Saephan and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
- Yanira Álvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
- Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 Billion, Mega Millions, January 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Winner unknown – $842.4 million Powerball, January 1, 2024, from Michigan.
Meanwhile, a Powerball prize valued at $200,000 in North Caroline is approaching its expiration date.
And an unclaimed $500,000 Powerball prize awaits in Iowa.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
