This page provides answers to frequently asked filing questions. If you don't find an answer to your question here, please contact the FEC's Information Division, toll free at 800-424-9530 or by e-mail at info@fec.gov. Committee staff may also speak with the Campaign Finance Analyst who reviews the committee's reports by calling the Reports Analysis Division, toll free at 800-424-9530 (press 5). Additionally, electronic filers may contact the Commission's Electronic Filing Office for technical assistance, toll free at 800-424-9530 (press 4).
The PDF files linked on this web page may be viewed or printed using the free Acrobat Reader available from Adobe.
Committees filing with the FEC generally submit reports on a quarterly or monthly schedule. Quarterly reports cover the calendar quarters and are due on April 15, July 15, October 15 and January 31. Monthly reports cover the calendar months and are typically due on the 20th day of the following month. For additional information, please visit our Compliance Map, Reporting Dates web page or the FEC Calendar.
Registration and reporting forms are available on the FEC web site (click here), via our automated Faxline (call 202-501-3413) and by mail (call 800-424-9530). Electronic filers may download free FECFile software from our Electronic Filing web page.
All committees, except those that support only Senate candidates, file with the FEC:
Federal Election Commission 999 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20463
Senate campaigns and other committees that support only Senate candidates file with the Secretary of the Senate:
Hand Delivery: Secretary of the Senate Office of Public Records 232 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510-7116 NOTE NEW MAILING ADDRESS (effective 1/17/12): Office of Public Records P.O. Box 77578
Washington, DC 20013-7578
Under the FEC's Administrative Fine Program, failure to file reports on time could result in penalties ranging from $30 to $16,000 (or more for repeat late- and non-filers).
No. The Commission does not have statutory authority to extend any filing deadlines. All reports and other filings are due on or before the established filing deadline.
As noted above, the Commission does not have statutory authority to extend any filing deadlines, even if they fall on a weekend or holiday. Paper filers, in particular, must plan accordingly. Reports sent by Registered, Certified or Overnight Mail must be postmarked on/before the filing date (or in the case of pre-election reports, three days before the filing date). Paper filings sent by other means must be received before the Commission (or for committees supporting only Senate candidates, the Secretary of the Senate Public Records Office) closes on the last business day before the deadline. Electronic filers need only ensure that their report is received and validated by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date, even on weekends and holidays.
If your committee raises or spends more than $50,000 in a calendar year or has reason to expect to do so, you must file electronically. If not, you may choose to file electronically, but are not required to do so. (Note: The mandatory electronic filing rules do not apply to Senate candidates or other committees that file with the Secretary of the Senate. Senate campaigns must file their official reports on paper.) Click here for more information on electronic filing.
