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        Taking in receipts as an SSF
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      Handling a questionable contribution to an SSF

Handling a questionable contribution to an SSF If a committee treasurer deposits a contribution that appears to come from a prohibited source, he or she has 30 days 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 record of the conversation.
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        Refunds made by the PAC
 Contributions from incorporated practices of professional members In advisory opinions, the Commission has permitted a membership organization, under certain circumstances, to use corporate contributions to pay for the expenses of operating the organization’s SSF. In these cases, individual members who had established corporations for their professional practices attempted to make contributions to the SSF from their corporate practice accounts. The SSF deposited these corporate contributions (which would otherwise have been prohibited) to the connected organization’s general treasury account or a separate administrative account for the SSF. When depositing SSF contributions into an administrative account under these circumstances, the committee may wish to inform contributors of this use of their funds and give them an opportunity to ask for a refund. Late discovery of prohibited contribution If the 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 SSF does not have sufficient funds to refund the contribution to the donor when the illegality is discovered, the treasurer must use the committee’s next receipts.
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          Who can and can't contribute to an SSFPartnership and LLC contributionsRemedying excessive contributions receivedDonations to administrative account of trade association 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)Examining contributions for illegality 11 CFR 110.20Prohibition on contributions, donations, expenditures, independent expenditures, and disbursements by foreign nationals
 Advisory Opinions AO 1992-20Funds from members' corporate practice accounts used to pay SSF's expenses AO 1990-04Use of credit cards to make combined dues/contribution payments


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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