This page provides a comprehensive list of helpful tips that have appeared on our Resources for Committee Treasurers page. These tips are intended to help treasurers meet their obligations under the federal campaign finance law. To suggest a tip, please e-mail us at info@fec.gov.
| February 6, 2012 | The Reports Analysis Division is Now Online! The Reports Analysis Division (RAD) - the FEC division that reviews your campaign finance reports - now has its own home page on the agency's website. This new web page describes the RAD review process and includes frequently asked questions (FAQ's) on reporting issues, Requests for Additional Information (RFAI's) and other RAD processes. The page has been organized by committee type (candidate, party, PAC) to help filers find the resources most relevant to them, all in one place. |
| January 30, 2012 | Year-End Reporting Due January 31. All committees are reminded that the Year-End report is due Tuesday, January 31, covering from the date your last report left off through December 31. Staff in the Reports Analysis Division and Electronic Filing Office will be available until 8:00 pm EST on January 31 to answer questions regarding the content and filing of reports. To reach RAD, call 1-800-424-9530 (press 5) or 202-694-1130. For help with technical issues relating to electronic filing, dial the same toll-free number and press 4. The E-Filing Office can also be reached locally at 202-694-1307. |
| January 23, 2012 | Register Now for the FEC's ONLY Two-Day Conference in 2012! There is still time to register for the FEC's two-day conference in Miami, Florida, February 22-23. Treasurers and others looking for our most comprehensive training on federal campaign finance law requirements will want to attend this conference, because this will be the only full two-day training conference offered by the FEC in 2012. Register now before the price goes up on January 27! |
| January 17, 2012 | Date Made / Date Received. Under FEC rules, the date a donor makes a contribution to a candidate and the date the campaign receives it are both important, but for different reasons.
The date a contribution is made determines which per-election limit the contribution counts against. For example, an undesignated contribution made (i.e., postmarked or hand-delivered) on or before the date of the primary election counts against the donor’s limit for that election. Undesignated contributions made after that date count toward the limit for the candidate’s next election (e.g., the general election). The date a campaign receives a contribution is the date it lists on its FEC reports. For example, campaigns will include on their upcoming Year-End reports (due January 31) only those contributions received by December 31 (the close of books for that report). A contribution received on January 1 will be reported on the committee's first report covering 2012 activity, even if the contribution was made in 2011. More information on "Date Made" and "Date Received" may be found on page 23 of the Campaign Guide for Congressional Candidates. |
| January 9, 2012 | Switching Filing Frequency? Party committees that do not conduct reportable federal election activity and all PACs have the option to choose to file reports on a "monthly" or "quarterly" filing schedule. Some committees prefer to file reports on a monthly basis during a federal election year (such as 2012), and on a less-frequent basis during a nonfederal election year (such as 2011). Unauthorized committees are permitted to switch filing frequencies one time per year. To switch your committee's filing frequency in 2012, attach a letter (paper filers only) or a Form 99 to your year-end report (due January 31) indicating that you will now be filing reports on the other schedule. If you were a quarterly filer in 2011 and wish to remain on that schedule, you do not need to submit a request, but be aware that in election years, quarterly filers file a minimum of five reports (three quarterly reports, a Post-General, and a Year-End report) and may have to file additional pre-primary and pre-general election reports, depending on their activity. |
| January 3, 2012 | 2012 Reporting Dates Are Now Available. The Commission has posted on its web site the 2012 reporting schedules for candidates, parties and PACs. Grab your new calendar and make a note of the due dates! |
| December 29, 2011 | Happy New Year from the FEC. The FEC will be closed Monday, January 2. The regular weekly tip will return in January, along with updated reporting schedules, announcements of outreach opportunities and postings of other important information for committee treasurers. |
| December 20, 2011 | December Reporting Reminder. Monthly filers are reminded that they have a report due Tuesday, December 20, covering the month of November. Also, filers active in the Iowa Presidential caucus or the New Hampshire Presidential primary should be aware that the 24-hour notice reporting periods are now active in those States for electioneering communications (made by individuals, corporations and unions) and independent expenditures (made by individuals, PACs, corporations and unions). |
| December 12, 2011 | Avoid the Election-Year Rush, Sign-Up Now for FEC Training! Looking for training on FEC regulations and reporting? Registration has already begun for the FEC's January 11 Year-End reporting and e-filing roundtables for PACs, House/Senate campaigns and political party committees. (Note: The e-filing workshop for PACs/party committees is already sold out; space is available in all other workshops on that day.) For those desiring comprehensive training, the Commission will hold its final two-day conference of the election cycle in Miami, Florida on February 22-23, 2012. Register now for best rates! |
| December 05, 2011 | FAQs for the Presidential Primary Season. With the first Presidential primaries and caucuses less than a month away, the Commission has begun to receive questions about the filing requirements associated with these elections: For more answers to common questions, check out our Quick Answers page at http://www.fec.gov/ans/answers.shtml. |
| November 29, 2011 | 'Tis the Season for Holiday Greetings. The same disclaimer rules that apply to campaign-related mailings apply to holiday greeting cards as well, even though they usually do not solicit funds or contain express advocacy. If a campaign sends out more than 500 holiday greetings, (i.e., a mass mailing) it must include a box on the card to inform recipients that it was paid for by the campaign committee. A PAC or party committee that sends a holiday mass mailing must include a box on the card that lets recipients know the committee paid for it, identifies the committee's full name and street address, phone number or web address, and states that the communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. For details and examples, see the Commission's brochure, Special Notices on Political Ads and Solicitations. |
| November 22, 2011 | Planning for 2012 Reporting. To assist committees and individuals who have inquired about the FEC reporting schedule for next year, the FEC has added a "Looking Ahead to 2012" section on the Reporting Dates web page. This section links to the charts outlining the 2012 independent expenditure, electioneering communications, coordinated communications and Federal Election Activity periods, as well as the Congressional pre-primary report deadlines for the election dates we currently have. Note that many dates are still pending and these charts will be updated as additional election dates come in. |
| November 14, 2011 | November Reporting Reminder. Monthly filers are reminded that they have a report due Sunday, November 20, covering the month of October. Please note that the FEC does not have authority to extend filing deadlines, even when they fall on weekends or holidays. Filers should plan accordingly. Reports sent by Registered, Certified or Overnight Mail must be postmarked no later than November 20, and paper filings sent by other means must be received by close of business on the last business day before the deadline (i.e., Friday, November 18). Electronic filers have until 11:59 (EST) on November 20 to submit their reports on time. |
| November 7, 2011 | Internet Rulemaking Comments due this Monday, November 14. The FEC published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comments on whether and how the Commission should revise its rules at 11 CFR 110.11 regarding disclaimer requirements for certain Internet communications. Commenters are encouraged to submit comments electronically via the Commission’s website at http://www.fec.gov/fosers to ensure timely receipt and consideration. For more information and instructions on how to file comments, see the linked Advance NPRM. |
| October 31, 2011 | Candidate Guide (2011 Edition) Now Available in Hard Copy. Printed versions of the August 2011 updated version of the FEC's Campaign Guide for Congressional Candidates and Committees are now available free of charge from the FEC's Information Division. To order, call (800)424-9530 (press 6) or send an email to info@fec.gov. |
| October 24, 2011 | Message from the Reports Analysis Division (RAD) – Process Change Notification. The Reports Analysis Division (RAD) will fully implement a process change to send Requests for Additional Information (RFAIs) via email on October 28, 2011. Please note that you will no longer receive paper RFAIs through the mail once this process begins. To provide an email address or update your current email address, please file an amended Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1). If you would prefer to continue to receive RFAIs on paper, please file a miscellaneous document (Form 99 for electronic filers), to indicate this preference. Should you have any questions, please contact your Campaign Finance Analyst on our toll-free number (800) 424-9530 (at the prompt, press 5 to reach the Reports Analysis Division) or our local number (202) 694-1130. |
| October 17, 2011 | Monthly/Special Election Reporting Reminders. Monthly filers are reminded they have a report due Thursday, October 20, covering the month of September. Quarterly filers do not have a report due that day. However, unlike monthly filers, if quarterly filers make contributions or expenditures in connection with special elections (currently ongoing in Nevada, New York and Oregon), they may have to file additional pre- or post-election reports. Thus quarterly filers should read the information posted at http://www.fec.gov/info/report_dates_2011.shtml#special if they make contributions/expenditures for special elections, to determine if an additional report is required. |
| October 11, 2011 | Campaigns must file Quarterly Reports by October 15. Reminder: Quarterly reports by authorized committees are due Saturday, October 15. Please note that the FEC does not have authority to extend filing deadlines, even when they fall on weekends or holidays. Filers should plan accordingly. Reports sent by Registered, Certified or Overnight Mail must be postmarked no later than October 15, and paper filings sent by other means must be received by close of business on the last business day before the deadline (i.e., Friday, October 14). Electronic filers have until 11:59 (EDT) on October 15 to submit their reports on time. If you need last-minute help with your FEC report, here are some resources: Every political committee registered with the FEC has a Campaign Finance Analyst who reviews its reports to ensure that they are accurate and complete. That Analyst is also available to answer your reporting questions. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, Communications Specialists are also available to assist filers with reporting questions. (Note: Tricky issues are best referred to your Analyst, since he/she will be reviewing your report.) To reach these FEC staff members, call toll-free 1-800/424-9530 (press 5 to reach your Analyst or 6 to speak to a Specialist). Reporting help is also available on-line at http://www.fec.gov/info/filing.shtml and in our Campaign Guides. For electronic filing assistance, contact the tech support number for your software vendor. FECFile users may call 1-800/424-9530 (extension 1307) for technical assistance. RAD analysts and FECFile tech support will be available until 8 p.m. EDT Friday, October 14. |
| October 3, 2011 | Electronic Filing Update. As noted in our tip of September 12, as of September 26, all electronic filers must now use v.8 of the electronic filing specifications. Current FECFile users need only open their software and accept the automatic update. Committees using commercial filing software should contact their vendors as soon as possible for more information about the latest release. If you have any questions, please call the Electronic Filing Office at (202)694-1307 or (800)424-9530, x1307. |
| September 26, 2011 | Register Now for FEC Training! The FEC will host its only West Coast conference this election cycle on October 25-26, in San Diego, CA. Workshops will explain the federal campaign finance rules that apply to candidate committees, party committees and corporate/labor/trade PACs. Other PACs are encouraged to register for our November 16 Seminar for Nonconnected Committees, to be held at FEC headquarters in Washington, DC. Registration is now open for both of these training events; simply click the links to see the agenda and registration information for each program. |
| September 19, 2011 | New Candidate Guide Available. The new 2011 edition of the Campaign Guide for Congressional Candidates and Committees is now available on the FEC website. Paper copies of the Guide will be available later this year. |
| September 12, 2011 | Electronic Filing Update. Revised electronic filing specifications (v.8) have been released. Beginning September 26, only filings formatted in Version 8 will be accepted. Current FECFile users need only open their software (after 9/26) and accept the automatic update. Committees using commercial filing software should contact their vendors for more information about the latest release. If you have any questions, please call the Electronic Filing Office at: (202) 694-1307 or (800) 424-9530 ext. 1307. |
| September 1, 2011 | Message from the Reports Analysis Division (RAD) – Process Change Notification. The Reports Analysis Division (RAD) will begin sending Requests for Additional Information (RFAIs) via e-mail in October 2011. Please note that you will no longer receive paper RFAIs through the mail once this process begins. To provide an e-mail address or update your current e-mail address, please file an amended Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1). If you would prefer to continue to receive RFAIs on paper, please file a miscellaneous document (Form 99 for electronic filers), to indicate this preference. Should you have any questions, please contact your Campaign Finance Analyst on our toll-free number (800) 424-9530 (at the prompt press 5 to reach the Reports Analysis Division) or our local number (202) 694-1130. |
| August 29, 2011 | Special Election Update. Upcoming special general elections in Nevada's 2nd and New York's 9th Congressional districts require pre-election reports due on Thursday, September 1. The reports are required for all candidates in these two special general elections, as well as from any quarterly-filing PAC or party committee that has made previously undisclosed contributions or expenditures in connection with these elections. For more information, see the Federal Register notice for each election [ NV/02 | NY/09 ]. Also, filing information is now available for the upcoming special election in Oregon's 2nd Congressional district. |
| August 17, 2011 | August Reporting Reminder. Monthly filers are reminded that they have a report due Saturday, August 20, covering the month of July. Please note that the FEC does not have authority to extend filing deadlines, even when they fall on weekends or holidays. Filers should plan accordingly. Reports sent by Registered, Certified or Overnight Mail must be postmarked no later than August 20, and paper filings sent by other means must be received by close of business on the last business day before the deadline (i.e., Friday, August 20). Electronic filers have until 11:59 (EDT) on August 20 to submit their reports on time. |
| August 8, 2011 | Looking for Campaign Finance Law Training? Next year is an election year, so this is good time to update your knowledge of FEC rules and practices to prepare for the 2012 elections. The FEC is now accepting registrations for its September 7-8 conference in Minneapolis, MN. Intended for House and Senate campaigns, corporate/labor/trade PACs, and state and local political party committees, this conference will offer workshops on fundraising, reporting and communications. All workshops focus on best practices and ways to avoid compliance problems. Register before August 12 and take advantage of an early registration fee discount! |
| August 2, 2011 | New FEC Record. The new FEC Record is now available! In an effort to provide more timely and user-friendly information, we have converted the Record from a print-based online publication to a wholly web-based format that better utilizes the medium. We’re excited to improve this already useful resource in a way that will help our readers keep up with FEC-related news better than ever. |
| July 25, 2011 | Mid-Year Reports Due Sunday, July 31. All PACs and party committees not filing monthly must file a Mid-Year report due Sunday, July 31. Please note that even though the FEC is not open on the 31st, the statutory filing deadline cannot be extended. Committees—particularly those that file on paper—should plan accordingly to ensure timely filing. The FEC’s Reports Analysis Division (RAD) and Electronic Filing Office will be open until 8:00 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, July 29, to help committees complete and file their reports. RAD analysts will be available to answer committees’ questions on reporting specific transactions, and E-Filing staff will also be on hand to address any technical issues filers may encounter. To reach these offices, call 1-800/424-9530 and press 4 for the E-Filing Office or press 5 for RAD. Locally, call RAD at (202) 694-1130 and the E-Filing Office at (202) 694-1307. |
| July 18, 2011 | July Monthly Reporting Reminder. PACs, party committees and Presidential campaigns filing on a monthly basis are reminded that they have a report due Wednesday, July 20, covering activity through June 30. |
| July 11, 2011 | July Quarterly/Mid-Year Reporting Reminder. Campaign committees filing on a quarterly filing schedule must file the July Quarterly report, due Friday, July 15 and covering activity through June 30. PACs and party committees that filed on a quarterly basis in 2010 are reminded that because it is a non-election year, they do not file the July Quarterly report. Instead, all PACs and party committees not filing monthly must file a Mid-Year report due Sunday, July 31. The FEC’s Reports Analysis Division (RAD) and Electronic Filing Office will be open until 8:00 p.m. (EDT) on both Friday, July 15, and Friday, July 29, to help committees complete and file their reports. RAD analysts will be available to answer committees’ questions on reporting specific transactions, and E-Filing staff will also be on hand to address any technical issues filers may encounter. To reach these offices, call 1-800/424-9530 and press 4 for the E-Filing Office or press 5 for RAD. Locally, call RAD at (202) 694-1130 and the E-Filing Office at (202) 694-1307. |
| July 5, 2011 | FEC Issues Two AOs on "Super PACs." On June 30, the Commission issued two advisory opinions addressing various questions raised by "independent expenditure-only political committees" ( a.k.a, Super PACs). Links to the advisory opinions, as well as a description of their findings, are available here. |
| June 27, 2011 | CA/36 Special Runoff Reports Due on 6/30. Candidates running in the July 12 special runoff election in California's 36th Congressional District, and quarterly-filing PACs/party committees that make contributions or expenditures to support or oppose them during the coverage period, must file pre-special runoff election reports on June 30. For more information, click here. |
| June 20, 2011 | Sign Up Now for Summer Reporting Roundtable Workshops. The Commission will offer workshops on FEC reporting and using FECFile software at its headquarters in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, July 13. Separate workshops will be offered for PACs and party committees and for candidate committees. Openings are still available in all sessions; pre-payment of $25 per workshop required. For more information, or to sign up, go to http://www.fec.gov/info/outreach.shtml#roundtables. |
| June 14, 2011 | June Reporting Reminder. Monthly filers are reminded that they have a report due Monday, June 20, covering the month of May. Quarterly filers do not have a report due that day. However, unlike monthly filers, if quarterly filers make contributions or expenditures in connection with special elections (currently ongoing in Nevada, New York and California), they may have to file additional pre- or post-election reports. Thus, quarterly filers should refer to the information posted at http://www.fec.gov/info/report_dates_2011.shtml#special if they make contributions/expenditures for special elections, to determine if an additional report is required. |
| June 7, 2011 | Supplements Help Your Committee Stay Healthy. Each month, the FEC publishes supplements to update its Campaign Guides for Candidates, Party Committees, Nonconnected Committees and Corporations and Labor Organizations. Reading the appropriate supplement at the beginning of each month is a good way to ensure that your committee complies with the latest rules and "stays healthy." |
| May 31, 2011 | Procedure Regarding Disclosure of Documents and Information in the Enforcement Process. The Commission approved an agency procedure for disclosure of documents and information to respondents in enforcement matters, in line with the Commission’s efforts to increase transparency with respect to FEC processes. The policy formally defines the scope of documents the FEC will provide to respondents in enforcement matters brought under the Act, and the agency’s process of disclosing these documents. Statements were issued by Chair Cynthia L. Bauerly, Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub and Commissioner Steven T. Walther. |
| May 23, 2011 | Track the Newest Committee Registrations with the FEC. The FEC's Public Records Office and Press Office have launched a web page to track new committee registrations. Updated daily at 7:00 a.m. Eastern, it is available at http://www.fec.gov/press/press2011/new_form1dt.shtml. A similar page launched earlier this year tracks Presidential Statements of Candidacy. |
| May 17, 2011 | May Reporting Reminder. Monthly filers are reminded that they have a report due, Friday, May 20, covering the month of April. Quarterly filers do not have a report due that day. However, unlike monthly filers, if quarterly filers make contributions or expenditures in connection with special elections, they may have to file additional pre- or post-election reports. Thus, quarterly filers should refer to the FEC's compliance map if they make contributions/expenditures for special elections, to determine if an additional report is required. |
| May 9, 2011 | Agency Procedure for Disclosure of Documents and Information in the Enforcement Process. On May 5, the Commission discussed two draft notices outlining an agency procedure for disclosure of documents and information to respondents in the enforcement process. The discussion of the draft procedures was held over until the next open meeting, scheduled for May 26, to provide an opportunity for public comment on the drafts. Comments will be due by 5 p.m. on May 23 and should be sent via email to documentdisclosure@fec.gov. Click here for the two drafts (Agenda Document No. 11-23 and Agenda Document No. 11-23-A). |
| May 2, 2011 | Deciding Whether to Become a Candidate? Before deciding to campaign for federal office, an individual may want to “test the waters”—in other words, explore the feasibility of becoming a candidate. An individual who merely test the waters, but does not campaign for office, does not have to register or report as a candidate even if the individual raises more than $5,000—the dollar threshold that would normally trigger registration. Nevertheless, funds raised to test the waters are subject to the Federal Election Campaign Act’s (the Act) contribution limitations and prohibitions. For more information, see this article: [HTML] [PDF]. |
| April 25, 2011 | Contribution Limits in Special Elections. A special election is considered a separate election with a separate contribution limit. (Note that a special election may itself involve separate special primary, special general and/or special runoff elections. Each would have a separate contribution limit.) When reporting contributions made in connection with a special election, be sure to check the appropriate box for type of election, and indicate that it is a special election (e.g., "2011 special general" in the case of current upcoming special House general elections in CA/36 and NY/26). |
| April 18, 2011 | Special Election Reporting. Committees involved in two upcoming special elections have reports due in May. In California's 36th district, a pre-general report is due May 5 (covering activity from April 1 through April 27). In New York's 26th District, a pre-general report is due May 12 (covering April 1 through May 4). Quarterly-filing PACs/party committees and other entities supporting or opposing candidates in those elections should review these Federal Register notices [CA/36 | NY/26] to determine their filing requirements. |
| April 11, 2011 | April Reporting Reminder. Authorized committees have a report due Friday, April 15, covering activity from the closing date of their last report through March 31. (Note: PACs and party committees that filed quarterly in 2010 file on a semi-annual basis in 2011.) Monthly filers have a report due Wednesday, April 20, covering the month of March. All electronic filers should take note of last week's tip and ensure that they’re using version 7 of the electronic filing format. |
| April 5, 2011 | Update Your Software Now to Prepare for This Month's Reporting. The latest version of FECFile (Build 7.0.1.0) has been released today, and is available for download at http://www.fec.gov/elecfil/updatelist.html. Reports filed using an earlier version will no longer be accepted. If you use commercial software, contact your vendor to ensure they are using the latest electronic filing format. |
| March 28, 2011 | Updated Compilation of FEC Regulations Now Available. The 2011 edition of Title 11, Code of Federal Regulations is now available on-line and in print from the FEC's Information Division. To order a hard copy, call 1-800/424-9530 (press 6), or send an e-mail to info@fec.gov requesting "11 CFR." Alternatively, you may click this link to access and download the compilation in PDF or XML format. |
| March 21, 2011 | New Interpretive Rule on Electronic Redesignations. On March 16, the Commission approved an interpretive rule allowing a specific method of electronic redesignation of contributions that provides a sufficient level of assurance as to a contributor’s identity and intent to redesignate a contribution. The Commission will consider other methods of electronic redesignation that are not explicitly set forth in the interpretive rule on a case-by-case basis, provided that they offer a sufficient degree of assurances. |
| March 14, 2011 | March Reporting Reminder. Committees that file monthly have a report due Sunday, March 20, covering the month of February 2011. Please note that the FEC does not have authority to extend filing deadlines, even when they fall on weekends or holidays. Filers should plan accordingly. Reports sent by Registered, Certified or Overnight Mail must be postmarked no later than March 20, and paper filings sent by other means must be received by close of business on the last business day before the deadline (i.e., Friday, March 18). Electronic filers have until 11:59 (EDT) on March 20 to submit their reports on time. |
| March 7, 2011 | New Disclosure Search Function Added. The Commission has added a new feature to its Disclosure Data Catalog that allows users to specify the election cycle for the data they are searching. Users can now specify the 2010 or 2012 cycle for data contained in the Campaign and Committee Report by Report Summary section, the Candidate Summary section and the Committee Summary section. |
| March 1, 2011 | New Online Rulemaking Search Available. The Federal Election Commission has launched a new search system for public documents generated in connection with Commission rulemakings. The Searchable Electronic Rulemaking System allows users to search public documents developed in the course of the Commission’s rulemaking process. This system, which can be searched chronologically, by subject or regulation name or number, will replace and expand upon the Commission’s current, online rulemaking archive. It also provides a new mechanism for the public to comment on ongoing rulemakings. |
| February 22, 2011 | New Training Video Available for Potential Candidates. This week, the Information Division added a new presentation to its E-Learning page regarding Testing the Waters. The presentation gives an overview of the rules on funds an individual may raise and spend to test the waters for a potential candidacy without having to register or report with the FEC. You can also view the video on FECTube, the FEC's You Tube channel. |
| February 14, 2011 | Electronic Filing Requirements Triggered? Paper Reports Will Not Be Accepted. Reminder: Any committees, individuals or other non-committee entities that meet the $50,000 contributions/expenditures threshold triggering mandatory electronic filing requirements, must file reports electronically rather than on paper. Under 11 CFR 104.18(c), reports filed electronically are defined to include any statement, designation or report required by the Act to be filed with the Commission. Moreover, under 11 CFR 104.18(a)(2), once a filer has exceeded the $50,000 threshold, any report it files on paper will not satisfy filing obligations. Instead, the report will be considered "not filed" and could be subject to Commission action. This requirement (and reminder) extends to not only filings of Form 3, Form 3X or Form 3P (as applicable) by political committees but also to Forms 1, 1M (filed by PACs and party committees) and 6 (filed by campaigns). It also applies to individuals and non-committee entities filing Forms 5, 7 and 9 (disclosing independent expenditures, communication costs and electioneering communications respectively) and to convention committees filing Form 4. For more information on the rules that apply to electronic filing, see the Commission's Electronic Filing Overview. |
| February 3, 2011 | New Contribution Limits Now Available. Certain contribution limits are indexed for inflation each election cycle. The adjusted limits for the 2011-2012 cycle are now available at http://www.fec.gov/ans/answers_general.shtml#How_much_can_I_contribute. |
| January 31, 2011 | Switching Filing Frequency? Party committees that do not conduct reportable federal election activity and all PACs have the option to choose to file reports on a "monthly" or "quarterly" filing schedule. Some committees prefer to file reports on a monthly basis during a federal election year, and on a less-frequent basis during a nonfederal election year (such as 2011). Unauthorized committees are permitted to switch filing frequencies one time per year. To switch your committee's filing frequency in 2011, attach a letter (paper filers only) or a Form 99 to your year-end report (due today) indicating that you will now be filing reports on the other schedule. If you are switching from monthly to quarterly, be aware that quarterly filers actually file only twice in non-election years (a mid-year report due July 31, 2011 and a year-end report due January 31, 2012). |
| January 24, 2011 | Year-End Reporting Reminder for all Committees. Year-End reports covering activity through December 31 are due Monday, January 31. Staff in the Reports Analysis Division and Electronic Filing Office will be available until 8:00 pm EST on January 31 to answer questions regarding the content and filing of reports. To reach RAD, call 1-800-424-9530 (press 5) or 202-694-1130. For help with technical issues relating to electronic filing, dial the same toll-free number and press 4. The E-Filing Office can also be reached locally at 202-694-1307. |
| January 17, 2011 | Register Now for FEC Party Seminar. Registration is now open for the FEC's seminar on federal campaign finance law for political party committees, to be held on March 2 in Washington DC at the FEC's headquarters. For information and registration materials, visit http://www.fec.gov/info/conferences/2011/partyseminar.shtml. |
| January 10, 2011 | Adjusted Limits for 2011-12 Coming Soon. As you may know, some of the limits on contributions to federal candidates and committees are adjusted each election cycle to account for changes in the consumer price index (CPI). The FEC publishes the adjusted limits immediately after it receives the CPI figures from the Department of Labor -- typically in February of odd-numbered years. In the meantime, the Commission encourages donors not to exceed the limits for the previous election cycle. We'll publish a special Tip for Treasurers to announce the new limits, so you'll be among the first to know. |
| January 3, 2011 | 2011 Reporting Dates Are Now Available. The Commission has posted on its web site the 2011 reporting schedules for candidates, parties and PACs. Grab your new calendar and make a note of the due dates! |
