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
- ›
        Taking in receipts as an SSF
- ›
      Limits on contributions received by the SSF

Limits on contributions received by the SSF Under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act), political committees, individuals and other entities that are not prohibited from making contributions (for example, partnerships, sole proprietorships and certain LLCs) may contribute a maximum of $5,000 per calendar year to an SSF. (This limit is the same for contributions received from multicandidate committees and those received from committees that have not yet qualified for multicandidate status.) Contribution limits for 2023-2024
 RecipientCandidate committee 
 PAC† (SSF and nonconnected)
 Party committee: state/district/local
 Party committee: national 
 Additional national party committee accounts‡Donor
 Individual
 $3,300* per election 
 $5,000 per year 
 $10,000 per year (combined) 
 $41,300* per year
 $123,900* per account, per yearCandidate committee 
 $2,000 per election
 $5,000 per year
 Unlimited transfers 
 Unlimited transfersPAC: multicandidate 
 $5,000 per election 
 $5,000 per year
 $5,000 per year (combined) 
 $15,000 per year 
 $45,000 per account, per yearPAC: nonmulticandidate
 $3,300* per election 
 $5,000 per year 
 $10,000 per year (combined) 
 $41,300* per year
 $123,900* per account, per yearParty committee: state/district/local
 $5,000 per election (combined)
 $5,000 per year (combined)
 Unlimited transfers
 Unlimited transfersParty committee: national
 $5,000 per election** 
 $5,000 per year
 Unlimited transfers 
 Unlimited transfers
 **Indexed for inflation in odd-numbered years.* *†“PAC” here refers to a committee that makes contributions to other federal political committees. Independent-expenditure-only political committees (sometimes called “Super PACs”) may accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations and labor organizations.* *‡The limits in this column apply to a national party committee’s accounts for: (i) the presidential nominating convention; (ii) election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings; and (iii) national party headquarters buildings. A party’s national committee, Senate campaign committee and House campaign committee are each considered separate national party committees with separate limits. Only a national party committee, not the parties’ national congressional campaign committees, may have an account for the presidential nominating convention.* ***Additionally, a national party committee and its Senatorial campaign committee may contribute up to $57,800 combined per campaign to each Senate candidate.*
 Print the 2023-2024 contribution limits chart
 Contributions from spouses Spouses have separate contribution limits to an SSF, even if only one spouse has an income. A couple may make a joint contribution (part of which would be attributed to each spouse). Joint contributions A joint contribution is a contribution that is made by more than one person using a single check or other written instrument. Although each individual has a separate contribution limit, joint contributors may combine their contributions, for example, by sending a check for $10,000 to an SSF. When making a joint contribution, each donor must sign either the check or a statement that accompanies the contribution. If the check or an accompanying statement of attribution is not signed by each contributor, the entire contribution will be attributed only to the party who signed the check. If the check or statement does not indicate how much should be attributed to each donor, the recipient committee must attribute the contribution to each signer in equal portions. For example, if a committee receives a $1,000 joint contribution signed by two individuals but with no written attribution, the committee must attribute a $500 contribution to each donor. An SSF may request that a contribution be reattributed, and under certain circumstances, may presumptively reattribute the excessive portion of a contribution.
 Exception: Partnerships and LLCs Contributions from partnerships and certain LLCs are not considered joint contributions but do trigger special attribution requirements.
 Learn more about contributions from partnerships and LLCs
 Reporting joint contributions For the purposes of itemization, report a joint contribution as though the joint contributors had given separately. If a joint contribution does not indicate the amount to be attributed to each contributor, attribute equally among the contributors. As with any contribution from an individual, itemize the contributions on Schedule A for Line 11(a)(i) only if total contributions from that individual have aggregated over $200 for the calendar year.
 $50 limit on anonymous contributions An anonymous contribution of cash is limited to $50. If the SSF receives a larger anonymous contribution, the excess amount may be used for any lawful purpose unrelated to any federal election, campaign or candidate. $100 limit on cash contributions An SSF may not accept more than $100 in cash from any contributor. Amounts exceeding $100 must be promptly returned. Date contribution is made vs. date of receipt The date a contribution is made and the date the contribution is received are significant for purposes of the contribution limits and for reporting. It is important to understand the distinction. Date contribution is received The date of receipt is the date the recipient committee (or a person acting on the committee’s behalf) actually receives the contribution. This is the date used by the recipient committee for reporting purposes. Date contribution is made The date a contribution is made is the date the contributor relinquishes control over it. For example: A hand-delivered contribution is considered made on the date it is delivered by the contributor to the committee.A mailed contribution is made on the date of the postmark. If a committee wishes to rely on a postmark as evidence of the date a contribution was made, it must retain the envelope or a copy of it.An in-kind contribution is made on the date that the goods or services are provided by the contributor.A contribution made via the Internet is considered made on the date the contributor electronically authorizes the transaction. Effect of date made for contributions received by SSF The date made is significant for determining which calendar year contribution limit applies. For instance, if a contribution to the SSF is postmarked 12/31/2023 but received on 1/3/2024, the contribution would count against the contributor’s 2023 calendar year limit. In that instance, the SSF should retain a copy of the postmark to document the date made.
 Read next
            
          
            
          Who can and can't contribute to the SSFContributions from partnerships and LLCsRemedying excessive contributions receivedFundraising for an SSFRecording receipts From the FEC Record Contribution limits for 2023-2024
 Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Continue learning about this topic Contributions 2023-2024
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 104.3(a)(4)Itemization of receipts for all political committees 11 CFR 104.8(c)Contribution attributed to signee 11 CFR 110.1(b)(6)Date a contribution is made 11 CFR 110.1(d)Contributions to other political committees 11 CFR 110.1(i)Contributions by spouses 11 CFR 110.1(k)Joint contributions 11 CFR 110.1(l)(4)Supporting evidence of date contribution is made 11 CFR 110.4(c)Cash contributions
 Advisory opinions AO 2012-35Use of cellular phone text messaging for contributions to political committees AO 1995-09Operating a political committee in cyberspace


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