Contribution limits for party committees
Under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act), contributions are subject to limits. This page examines the rules concerning the limits placed on contributions to a party committee. The limits apply to all types of contributions.
It is important to note that a party committee is prohibited from retaining contributions that exceed the limits. In the event that a party committee receives excessive contributions, it must follow special procedures for handling such funds.
Contribution Limits for 2023-2024 Federal Elections
| Recipient | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate committee | PAC† (SSF and nonconnected) | Party committee: state/district/local | Party committee: national | Additional national party committee accounts‡ | ||
| Donor | Individual | $3,300* per election | $5,000 per year | $10,000 per year (combined) | $41,300* per year | $123,900* per account, per year |
| Candidate committee | $2,000 per election | $5,000 per year | Unlimited transfers | Unlimited transfers | ||
| PAC: multicandidate | $5,000 per election | $5,000 per year | $5,000 per year (combined) | $15,000 per year | $45,000 per account, per year | |
| PAC: nonmulticandidate | $3,300* per election | $5,000 per year | $10,000 per year (combined) | $41,300* per year | $123,900* per account, per year | |
| Party committee: state/district/local | $5,000 per election (combined) | $5,000 per year (combined) | Unlimited transfers | Unlimited transfers | ||
| Party committee: national | $5,000 per election** | $5,000 per year | Unlimited transfers | Unlimited transfers | ||
*Indexed for inflation in odd-numbered years.
†“PAC” here refers to a committee that makes contributions to other federal political committees. Independent-expenditure-only political committees (sometimes called “Super PACs”) may accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations and labor organizations.
‡The limits in this column apply to a national party committee’s accounts for: (i) the presidential nominating convention; (ii) election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings; and (iii) national party headquarters buildings. A party’s national committee, Senate campaign committee and House campaign committee are each considered separate national party committees with separate limits. Only a national party committee, not the parties’ national congressional campaign committees, may have an account for the presidential nominating convention.
**Additionally, a national party committee and its Senatorial campaign committee may contribute up to $57,800 combined per campaign to each Senate candidate.
$100 limit on cash contributions
Contributions of currency from any one source are limited to no more than $100. A cash contribution in excess of that limit must be returned to the contributor.
$50 limit on anonymous contributions:
An anonymous contribution is limited to no more than $50. Any amount in excess of $50 must be promptly disposed of and may be used for any lawful purpose unrelated to any federal election, candidate or campaign.
In-kind contributions
The value of an in-kind contribution—the usual and normal charge—counts against the contribution limit as a gift of money does.
Candidate limit may apply
Candidate limit may apply
A contribution received by a party committee may count against the contributor’s contribution limit for a particular candidate if:
- The contributor knows that a substantial portion of his or her contribution will be given to or spent on behalf of a particular candidate; or
- The contributor retains control over the funds after making the contribution (for example, the contributor earmarks the contribution for a particular candidate).
Contributions from affiliated PACs
Political action committees (PACs) that are affiliated with one another share the same set of contribution limits. For example, affiliated non-multicandidate PACs may contribute a combined total of $10,000 per year to a state party committee (and its district and local affiliates).
Affiliated multicandidate PACs may contribute a combined total of $5,000 per year to a state party committee (and its district and local affiliates).
Contributions from spouses and joint contributions
Contributions from spouses
Each spouse in a married couple has a separate contribution limit, even if only one spouse has an income. A couple may make a joint contribution (part of which would be attributed to each).
Joint contributions
A joint contribution is a contribution that is made by more than one person using a single check or other written instrument. A joint contribution represents the personal funds of each donor, so each donor must sign either the check or an accompanying statement.
For the purposes of the contribution limits, a joint contribution is attributed equally to each donor, unless an accompanying statement indicates that the funds should be divided differently.
Partnership contributions
A contribution from a partnership counts against the partnership’s limit and also counts proportionally against the limits of each participating partner.