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      Refunds of contributions

Refunds of contributions Refunds made by the committee When a committee refunds a contribution to a donor, the committee must include the disbursement in the total for the appropriate category of refund on the Detailed Summary Page (Line 28(a), (b) or (c)). If the committee previously itemized the incoming contribution on Schedule A, then it must itemize the refund on a Schedule B for the appropriate line number. A committee may return a contribution to the donor without depositing it, although the return must be made within 10 days of the treasurer’s receipt of the contribution. In this case, the committee does not have to report either the receipt or the return of the contribution.
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      How to report
        Refunds made by the party committee
 Refunds received by the committee If a committee receives a refund of a contribution it has made, it must report the refund in one of two ways, depending on the circumstances. Original check not deposited If a previously reported check to a candidate committee or other political committee is not deposited (e.g., if it is returned uncashed or is lost), report the amount as a negative entry on a Schedule B for Line 23, “Contributions to Federal Candidates and Other Political Committees.” (The amount is subtracted from the total for Line 23.)
 Refunded by recipient’s check If the recipient committee deposits the contribution and then refunds it with its own check, itemize the refund, regardless of amount, on a Schedule A for Line 16, “Refunds of Contributions.”
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        Refunded contributions
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          Who can and can't contribute to a party committeeHandling a questionable contributionRemedying excessive contributions to a party committee Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 103.3(a)Treasurer may return contribution to donor without depositing within 10 days 11 CFR 104.8(d)(4)Reporting refunds of 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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