How much does Squid Game winner take after taxes?

Now that the Squid Game: The Challenge finale has arrived on Netflix, you might be wondering: how much does the winner take home after taxes? Here’s what we know. 

After three weeks, ten episodes, and plenty of highs and lows, Squid Game: The Challenge has reached its epic conclusion.

Not only did it start off with the most contestants in Netflix’s reality TV history to match the 456 players of the original Squid Game, but it also features the genre’s largest ever cash prize.

One lucky player is taking home an eye-watering $4.56 million – kind of. While it’s a life-changing sum of money, how much of it will have to go towards taxes? Warning: Major spoilers ahead!

How much does Squid Game winner take after taxes?

Since Player 278, aka Mai Whelan, won Squid Game: The Challenge and she’s a US citizen, she will be subject to tax on the $4.56 million. If it’s paid in a lump sum, this will involve a reported federal income tax rate of 37%, meaning she’d take home just over $2.87 million. 

Although the Netflix show was filmed in the UK, where prize money is not chargeable to tax, whoever wins must pay tax charges imposed by their home country. In the US, the IRS considers game show winnings of $600 and up to be part of a person’s taxable income.

Lower amounts equal lower taxes, but since $4.56 million is a lot of cash, this would likely place Mai’s winnings in the highest bracket of 37%. Of course, this detail has been the butt of several jokes online – case in point: 

X/@venusauras

As stated by Marca, this “is still a life-changing sum, but comes with a very significant deduction. In the end, the Internal Revenue Service was equally as hyped about her winning as she was.”

Squid Game: The Challenge is available to stream on Netflix now. You can check out more of our coverage below:

• Who won Squid Game: The Challenge?
• Squid Game: The Challenge all eliminations
• Squid Game: The Challenge filming locations
• Is Squid Game: The Challenge real?
• Squid Game: The Challenge soundtrack
• How are players eliminated in The Challenge?
• Why Player 299 joined the show
• Did the players actually fall in Glass Bridge?
• Squid Game fans slam “coward” Player 278
• Player 278 trolls fans amid Squid Game backlash
• “Missing” Squid Game: The Challenge player speaks out
• How to apply for Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2
• Players allegedly asked to “pretend” to compete
• Squid Game: The Challenge player details set conditions
• Squid Game: The Challenge producers hit back
• Squid Game: The Challenge contestants threaten lawsuit
• Squid Game: The Challenge receives audience backlash