there just ain’t no way to lower the taxes on a lump sum.
some question on here whether you can move to TX NH or FL before cashing the ticket. not sure what the answer is on that ... to avoid state income tax.
Fundamentally speaking, a cashable cheque in the hand is better than promises made over 20 years that may not be kept.
I would let the tax accountant figure out the strategies of lowering my tax bill, though, I suspect, when I accept the prize, the taxes are prepaid, off the top. I can’t see the governments involved taking a chance of me volunteering to pay the millions of taxes, when I could potentially be in Barbados or something.
Yes, one of those strategies, if legal, would be to figure out the best place to claim the prize.