Somebody won $2 million, but who?

Someone who bought a winning lottery ticket at the Havre Holiday gas station and has not yet come forward to claim the $2 million.

According to the State Lottery Department in Helena, whoever bought the ticket has six months to claim the money, which will be “on hold” until they do so. The prize expires March 3, 2014. If the prize remains unclaimed at that time, all of it will be transferred into Montana’s general fund.

Montana Lottery policy states that all prizes over $599 must be claimed at the Lottery headquarters in Helena, either in person or by mailing the ticket with a claim form to the office.

The Montana Lottery is required by law to withhold state and federal taxes from prizes. On prizes over $5,000, a 6.9 percent state tax and 25 percent federal tax will be imposed for those who have a Social Security number. For the $2 million prize, this means that $638,000 will be withheld, leaving the winner with $1,362,000.

If the winner does not have Social Security numbers, 28 percent federal tax is imposed, as well as the 6.9 percent state tax.

According the Montana Lottery website, they are not responsible for lost or stolen tickets: “Protect yourself by signing the back of your tickets and include your address. Remember: Lottery tickets are bearer instruments. Unless signed, ANYONE in possession of the ticket can file a claim,” the website says.

By law, the name of the person and the town they are from is public information. Anonymity is not an option.

The winning numbers were 2-7-25-40-56, Powerball 20.