Your web browser is not supported You're using Internet Explorer, some features might not work. Please switch to another browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for a better experience.


An official website of the United States government Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Federal Election Commission | United States of America Calendar
           Glossary
          Search
              Search


Menu
      Home
      Campaign finance data
        All data
            Raising
            Spending
            Loans and debts
            Filings and reports
            Candidates
            Committees
            Bulk data
            Campaign finance statistics
        Find elections. Search by state or ZIP code
          Look up contributions from specific individuals
      Help for candidates and committees
        All compliance resources
            Guides
            Forms
            Dates and deadlines
            Trainings
        Learn about electronic filing
          Find and contact your committee's analyst
      Legal resources
        All legal resources
            Advisory opinions
            Enforcement
            Statutes
            Legislation
            Regulations
            Court cases
            Policy and other guidance
        Search across all legal resources
          Search guidance documents
      About
        All about the FEC
            News and announcements
            Commission meetings
            Mission and history
            Leadership and structure
            Reports about the FEC
            Careers
            Working with the FEC
            Contact
        Introduction to campaign finance and elections


- Home
- ›
        Help for candidates and committees
- ›
      Making disbursements

Making disbursements While campaigns have wide discretion in deciding how to spend their funds, the Federal Election Campaign Act places certain restrictions on the use of campaign funds. An expenditure is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election. "Disbursement" is a broader term that covers both expenditures and other kinds of payments (those not made to influence a federal election). All disbursements are reportable by the campaign. Disbursements must be made by check or similar draft drawn on an account maintained at the committee’s designated depository. However, the committee may maintain a petty cash fund for small disbursements. A written record of petty cash disbursements must be kept if a petty cash fund is maintained. Payments from petty cash to one person for any one purchase or transaction may not exceed $100.
 For candidates and their authorized committees
      Registering as a candidate
          
          Taking in receipts
          
          Handling candidate loans, debts and advances
          
          Keeping records
          
          Filing candidate reports
          
          Understanding public funding of presidential elections
          
          Funding the presidential transition
          
          Winding down a campaign
 Campaign-related expenses
          
            Noncampaign expenses
 Campaign-related expenses
        By definition, the Federal Election Campaign Act allows campaign funds to be used for purposes in connection with the campaign to influence the federal election of the candidate. Disbursements related to the campaign include payments for day-to-day expenses, such as staff salaries, rent, travel, advertising, telephones, office supplies and equipment, fundraising, etc.
        Advertising and disclaimers
        
           Campaign fundraisersUsing the facilities or resources of corporations or labor organizationsFundraising notices for campaignsJoint fundraising with other candidates and political committees
        
           Day-to-day operations
        
           Recounts
        
           Transfers between a candidate's committees
        
           Travel Noncampaign expenses
        Campaign funds may be used for certain purposes that are not related to the candidate's campaign for federal office. Using campaign funds for personal use is prohibited.
        Candidate salary
        
           Fundraising for other candidates, committees and organizations
        
           Making contributions to other federal and nonfederal candidates
        
           Noncampaign expenses for travel, transfers and donations
        
           Personal use
        
           Supporting tax-exempt organizations


Icon representing a question
        Get help from the FEC by phone or email


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.


About
          Careers
          Press
          Contact
   Privacy and security policy
          Plain language
          No FEAR Act
          Strategy, budget and performance
 Open government
          Protected Voices
          USA.gov
          Inspector General
          FOIA
 OpenFEC API
          GitHub repository
          Release notes
          FEC.gov status


Federal Election Commission
 The FEC's Twitter page
            The FEC's YouTube page Sign up for FECMail


Hide glossary Glossary Search terms