JackpotKeep is a calculator, not a lottery, an adviser or a news site. It exists to answer one question precisely: if you win, how much of it do you actually keep?
What we do
We take the live Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots, convert them to the cash option using the official ratio, apply the 2026 federal brackets and the top marginal rate of every participating state, and show the result — including the difference between what is withheld at payout and what is actually owed at filing.
Why the site exists
Most lottery coverage stops at the headline number and a vague line about taxes. The two numbers that actually matter — the cash value and the federal balance due at filing — are usually missing or wrong. The cash value ratio has moved from roughly 52% a few years ago to 41%–46% in 2026, and many pages still quote the old figure.
How we are funded
The site is free and funded by advertising. Advertising never changes a number, a rate or a ranking. The containers that hold advertising are managed separately from the content and are labelled in the page source as reserved blocks, not as editorial recommendations.
What we are not
- We are not affiliated with the Multi-State Lottery Association, Powerball, Mega Millions, or any state lottery.
- We do not sell tickets, and we cannot claim a prize for you.
- We are not tax advisers, attorneys or financial advisers, and nothing here is advice for your situation.
- We do not accept payment to change a rate, a ranking or a recommendation.
How to reach us
Corrections are the most useful message we get. If a rate is wrong or a rule has changed, write to [email protected] with the state and a link to the official source. We correct the data and note the change on the methodology page.
Last updated October 23, 2026. Questions about this page: [email protected].