If you owe the IRS back taxes, they can seize your next refund, garnish your wages or your bank account, etc.
You must claim the $1,000 in any case.
https://finance.zacks.com/owe-back-taxes-lottery-winnings-withheld-10907.html
The Lottery will most likely withhold federal and state income tax when you cash in the ticket. Whether they do, or not, you still need to include the $1000 on your 2019 income tax return.
If you're asking if the IRS will confiscate you winning ticket's winnings, the answer is no.
in Mass, will the IRS confiscate winning on $1000 scratch ticket?
They will in Florida. If you win on a scratch off and owe the state money, they snatch the payout guaranteed.
Only time Florida government is on point, fast and effective, when there collecting money. They find a toll you didn't pay from the 90's and by the time they add in all the late fees, interest and everything, you be lucky if your 600 dollar scratch off win, would even cover the 75-cent toll u defrauded the great state on all those years. Not even joking, they don't miss anything. Heck, you better hope you don't have a library book overdue, when u go to cash out.
I made an account on this forum JUST TO REPLY TO THIS!!!
YES THEY WILL TAKE IT!!! EVERY PENNY, I won a substantial amount (substantial to me) and I didn't know they took it all, after the state and the massive amount of federal I owed, (thanks to certain family members who can "do that for free, and get 3x the refund") I ended up with a little under 500, after crying feeling defeated a few smacks in the back of the head from the wife....I'll never make the mistake again, the best way is go to a casino (people at casinos usually won't rip you off or try to withdraw all the cameras) tell them you will give them 2 - 3 % and have them cash it...IF you trust they don't owe taxes...good luck I know this post is old I found it in 2025 so hopefully others will also