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        Filing SSF reports
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      Quarterly filers

Quarterly filers If an SSF chooses to file quarterly during an election year, it will submit at least five reports covering its financial activity: Three quarterly reportsOne post-general reportOne year-end report Quarterly reports
 Report type
                        
                    
                
                    
                        
                        
                            Dates covered
                        
                    
                
                    
                        
                        
                            DueQuarterly (Form 3X)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    January 1 through March 31April 1 through June 30July 1 through September 30
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    April 15July 15October 15Post-general (Form 3X)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Close of books of your most recent report through the 20th day after the general election
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    30 days after the electionYear-end (Form 3X)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Close of post-general report through December 31
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    January 31 (following year)
 Access Form 3X and its step-by-step instructions.
 In addition to the five reports listed above, the committee may also need to file pre-primary, pre-general and special election reports. The FEC may waive the filing of a quarterly report if its deadline falls close to a pre-election report’s filing deadline. Check FEC.gov to determine if a report has been waived. Pre-primary reports An SSF must file a pre-primary report if it makes contributions or expenditures (including independent expenditures) in connection with a primary election during the pre-primary reporting period. Primary election dates vary by state. An SSF may need to file several pre-primary reports if it makes contributions or expenditures in connection with candidates in several states.
 Report type
                        
                    
                
                    
                        
                        
                            Dates covered
                        
                    
                
                    
                        
                        
                            DuePre-primary (Form 3X)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Close of books on your most recent report through the 20th day before a primary election
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    12 days before election day, orPostmarked 15 days before election day, if you file by registered, certified or overnight mail
 For example: An SSF supports a candidate running in a primary on September 7. It makes expenditures supporting that candidate on August 1. They weren’t included in the most recent quarterly report, which was due July 15. Therefore, the SSF must file a pre-primary report. If an SSF is going to be active in many primary elections, the committee may find it easier to file monthly. Monthly filers don’t have to file pre-primary reports.
 Access the Form 3X and its step-by-step instructions
 Pre-general reports Leading up to a general election, an SSF must file a pre-general report if it makes contributions or expenditures (including independent expenditures) in connection with that election during the pre-general election reporting period.
 Report type
                        
                    
                
                    
                        
                        
                            Dates covered
                        
                    
                
                    
                        
                        
                            DuePre-general (Form 3X)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    October 1 through the 20th day before the general election
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    12 days before the general election or postmarked 15 days before the general election, if you file by registered, certified or overnight mail
 Access Form 3X and its step-by-step instructions
 Special election reports If a quarterly-filing SSF makes contributions or expenditures (including independent expenditures) in connection with a special election, it may need to file a special election report. (Monthly-filing SSFs do not have to file special election reports.)
 Report type
                        
                    
                
                    
                        
                        
                            Dates covered
                        
                    
                
                    
                        
                        
                            DueSpecial election (Form 3X)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Dates are published in the Federal Register, FEC Record and on FEC.gov
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Deadlines are published in the Federal Register, FEC Record and on FEC.gov
 Access the Form 3X and its step-by-step instructions
 Read next
            
          
            
          Election yearsIndependent expendituresDates and deadlinesRegistration and reporting forms From the FEC Record Online tool helps committees contact their RAD analyst
 Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 104.5(c)(1)Election year reports 11 CFR 104.5(h)Special election reports


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.


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