Lottery

[t-mids]

Can you remain anonymous if you've won the lottery, however much the amount ?

[Tichfield]

Yes, and in my view you should.

[squarebear]

Yes. It's up to you how much publicity you want. Although if it's a particular big win, Camelot will probably try to encourage you to go public to promote the lottery.

[beanebabe]

Are you telling us that you've had a big win? You won't stay annonymous for long once you starting splashing the cash! You wouldn't be able to give me a bit to pay for my new sofa would you?

[Tichfield]

Of course, you could always ask Camelot how much they would be prepared to pay you if you did agree to go public.

I would probably agree if they matched what I had won, and grossed it up for the tax, @ 40%,I would have to pay on it.

[RevFunk]

Do you pay tax on a lottery win?????

[rescuer]

No, the winningsare not taxed. However any interest you are paid by banks and building societies will be taxed and if your total income is high enough the tax will be at 40%.
If you invest the money in shares you will be taxed on any dividends you receive.
And any amount you leave when you die will be subject to that cruel Inheritance tax.
If you do win t-mids the best thing you can do is to contact me and I will, willingly, lighten your burden !

[t-mids]

Sorry folks, it was just an out of interest question, no wins here i'm afraid... maybe next week !

[helpmetoo]

annoyingly on wins of �500 and over to get your dosh you have to fill out a form with your particulars,

i thought the ticket was bearer payable,

it makes staying anonymous more difficult

[Tichfield]

I buy my lottery tickets online - so they have all my details anyway.

[rescuer]

Well, helpmetoo, I went along with a retailer client for the training session.when he became an outlet for the lottery. He was a little late applying for it so Camelot had had experience of dealing with winners.
They showed us the room where they presented the cheques to the winners. They said it was completely confidential if the winner so wished.
However if a news reporter or anybody else sat outside the building -- a tedious job -- they would be able to see winners turning up for their winnings.
Sadly, although I went along to the building for the training, I have not had the enjoyment of going to pick up a large cheue!

[Skyline D]

I would have thought in all practical senses it's fairly difficult to remain anonymous. On a national scale, yes, but not locally unless you move away and don't see any old friends.

Camelot will maintain your privacy should you wish and I believe they provide you with advisers to discuss what to do with the money but fundamentally, if you win serious money on the lottery you are going to spend a bit. If you don't what's the point in actually playing? Your lifestyle and spending will not be consistent with your public income so people will get to know. Depending on how small the locality you live in is it's likely news would leak from your bank if you banked a seven figure cheque too. Of course you could set up a new account elsewhere to get round that problem.

I suppose in theory you could collect your cheque, hand in your notice at work and go buy some property in London and live in it where you never see neighbours and new friends would just presume you inherited cash or something.