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Federal Election Commission | United States of America
  • FEC Record: Outreach

Check the box to report memo entries

February 9, 2016

Memo Item Check BoxIn an effort to increase reporting clarity, the Commission has added a new "memo item" box to the Forms 3, 3P and 3X filed by campaigns, parties and political action committees.

Treasurers will use the new check box to identify "memo entries." Memo entries are used to provide supplemental or explanatory information on a reporting schedule and the dollar amount is not included in the line item total. These entries are commonly used to report reimbursements, redesignations, reattributions, transactions associated with credit card payments, and other complex transactions.

Up to now, committees have identified memo entries by writing the phrase "Memo Item" on the form. The new check box will add clarity and consistency to memo item disclosure, shorten the Commission’s document processing times, and allow the public to access disclosed data faster.

Paper forms that include the new check box are available for download on the reporting forms page of the FEC website. The FECFile update (Build 8.1.0.4) is also available, and commercial software vendors are expected to incorporate the change in the coming days. Filers should use the updated forms for their next FEC report.

Resources:

  • Author 
    • Alex Knott

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This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.