Do you have to pay taxes on money you win in an international sweepstakes before you get your winning amount?

I supposedly won an international sweepstakes . They sent me a check, I was to make sure the check cleared, then there would be instructions on to where to send the "tax" money, then in 5 days I would get my winnings

Do you have to pay taxes on money you win in an international sweepstakes before you get your winning amount?
I don't know of another country other than the US that will pay sweepstakes to anyone other than a citizen of its own country. You are about to be cheated out of your money. Do not send the "tax money." This is a fraud. To begin with if you actually won money and you did receive it you would pay the taxes to the IRS in this country. Take the "check" to the police department in your city and let them check it out for you. I'm sure they have a scam expert there that will be happy to advise you.
Reply:It's a scam, don't do it. If it was for real then you would pay the taxes at the end of the year when you file your regular taxes.
Reply:yes any money that has not been taxed will be when it hits the us it is similar to a car when bought in another state with no tax if your state has car tax when you go to get your tag you will get taxed.

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