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      Travel expenses paid by individuals

Travel expenses paid by individuals Unreimbursed travel expenses The exemptions described on this page apply only to an individual’s payments for his or her own travel expenses; if an individual uses personal funds to pay the travel expenses of another, an in-kind contribution results. $1,000 transportation exemption An individual (including the candidate, a paid staff member or a volunteer) may voluntarily spend up to $1,000 for unreimbursed transportation expenses on behalf of the campaign without making a contribution. However, when an individual’s payments for such transportation expenses exceed $1,000 per candidate, per election, the payments are considered contributions—unless they are reimbursed by the candidate’s committee in a timely manner. Volunteer’s exemption for meals and lodging A campaign volunteer may spend unlimited amounts for his or her own meals and lodging without making a contribution, as long as the expenses are incidental to volunteer activity. Reimbursed travel expenses When the candidate or an individual working on behalf of the candidate pays any other travel expense, no contribution will result if the committee reimburses the individual within the following time limits: If the expense was paid with cash or a personal check, within 30 days from the date the expense was incurred; orIf the expense was paid with a credit card, within 60 days of the closing date on the credit card billing statement where the charge first appears. Outside of these time limits, the payments are in-kind contributions.
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        Travel reimbursements
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          Volunteer activityTravel on behalf of campaignsAdvances by individuals From the FEC Record Volunteer activity (2009)
 Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Continue learning about this topic FECFile for authorized committees: Disbursements - Entering operating expenditures and reimbursements to staff
 Volunteer activity; Travel
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 100.79(a)(1)Unreimbursed payment for transportation expenses 11 CFR 100.79(b)Unreimbursed payment for subsistence expenses 11 CFR 100.93(b)General rule for travel 11 CFR 116.5(b)Advances by committee staff and other individuals; treatment as contributions
 Advisory opinions AO 2003-31Expenditure exemption applied for travel advances


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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