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      Handling a questionable contribution

Handling a questionable contribution Within 10 days of receiving a contribution that appears to be excessive or prohibited, the committee treasurer must either return the contribution or deposit it. Determining legality The committee treasurer is responsible for examining all contributions to ensure that they are neither prohibited nor excessive. In order to determine whether a contribution exceeds the contributor’s limit, the contribution must be aggregated with any others made by the contributor to the committee or its affiliates during the calendar year. If it is deposited, the treasurer must: Keep enough money in the committee’s account to cover the potential refund or establish a separate account for such contributions.Keep a record explaining why the contribution may be illegal and include this explanation on Schedule A if the contribution has to be itemized before its legality is established.In the case of an excessive contribution, obtain a reattribution of the excessive portion or refund it to the contributor.In the case of a possibly prohibited contribution, confirm its legality or refund it. Prohibited contributions Questionable source If a committee treasurer deposits a contribution that appears to come from a prohibited source, he or she has 30 days from the date of the contribution’s receipt to: Confirm the legality of the contribution; orRefund the contribution. As evidence of legality, the treasurer should obtain a written statement from the contributor explaining why the contribution is legal. Alternatively, the treasurer may obtain an oral explanation by telephone and keep a written record of the conversation.
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        Refunds made by the party committee
 Late discovery of prohibited contribution If a treasurer discovers that a previously deposited contribution came from a prohibited source, he or she must refund the contribution within 30 days of making the discovery. This situation might arise, for example, if the treasurer learned that a past contribution was made by a foreign national. If the committee does not have sufficient funds to refund the contribution when the illegality is discovered, the treasurer must use the next funds the committee receives.
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          Who can and can't contribute to a party committeeRemedying excessive contributions to a party committeeRefunds of contributions From the FEC Record Foreign nationals
 Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Continue learning about this topic Contributions 2023-2024
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 103.3(b)Treasurer's examination of contributions received; handling and depositing questionable contributions


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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