Limits and Thresholds PAC and Party Limits The Depository

 $1,000 annual contribution limit from PAC: Certain candidates are limited to how an individual. much Political Action Committee money System for  $500 annual limit from a PAC to a they can receive in a calendar year: candidate. Candidates  Receipts of more than $50 must be  Governor: $150,000 itemized on deposit reports. Best  Lt. Gov.: $31,250 practice: Enter the name and  Attorney General: $62,500 address of each donor into R6, even  Secretary of State: $37,500 those of less than $50.  Treasurer: $37,500

 Contributions of $200 or more require  Auditor: $37,500  Governor’s Council: $18,750 occupation and employer information.  County Office: $18,750  Cash limited to $50 annually per  Senate: $18,750 donor. Money orders limited to $100  House: $7,500 annually.  Municipal: No limit Massachusetts Office of  Splitting a check: A campaign can PAC: If a PAC contributes to a candidate split a check between two donors if who has exceeded his or her annual PAC Campaign and Political both names are printed on the limit, and the candidate has deposited the check. The contributions would be check, the candidate is required to refund Finance reported as two individual receipts the PAC. on deposit reports. Party: A local party committee can 617-979-8300 contribute $1,000 annually to a candidate. Sub-vendor Reports www.ocpf.us A state party’s limit is $3,000. Local and state  If a campaign pays a vendor $5,000 parties can contribute unlimited in-kind or more in a calendar year, and the contributions to candidates. Statewide Candidates vendor subsequently makes County Candidates payments of $500 or more on behalf Governor’s Council of the committee to a sub-vendor, a Contact Information sub-vendor report is required. House and Senate 617-979-8300  Due by the 5th of the month to cover Mayoral Candidates the previous month. Fax: 617-727-6549 City Council (pop. 65,000 or more) www.ocpf.us

E-mail: [email protected] Twitter: @OCPFReports YouTube: “OCPFReports” Organization Expenditures The Year-End Report  Due by Jan. 20. Late fines are $25 a  Step 1: Submit a CPF 101 form to  Expenditures are made through the OCPF (on-line organization). day up to $5,000. campaign checking account, by  The year-end report includes a  Step 2: Open a by check or . summary total of a committee’s completing a form CPF D103. The  A committee can be receipts and expenditures for the form is filed with OCPF. Most calendar year. require an IRS EIN number to open an used. Credit card reports are  Itemized in-kind contributions, account. required. liabilities and savings are also  Step 3: Commence recordkeeping  An expenditure’s purpose is detailed included in the year-end report. and reporting. Reports are filed using on the memo line of the check. Reporter, OCPF’s online filing system.  Purpose information must be General Reminders NOTE: A list of participating banks is available on detailed. For example, if a candidate Raffles are prohibited. the OCPF website under the “Getting Started” tab.  hosts a campaign event on July 4  No anonymous contributions, and pays a caterer, it should be listed including “passing the hat” for cash. Reporting Requirements like this:  Corporate, LLC, LLP and partnership contributions are prohibited.  A candidate’s depository bank e-files Public Employees reports monthly. The report itemizes expenditures and a summary total of  MGL Chapter 55, Sec. 13 prohibits all deposits for the period. The public employees from soliciting or reports are filed by the bank even if receiving funds for any political there is no activity for the period. purpose, 24-7, nationwide.  Bank reports are due by the 5th of  Who are public employees? Anyone each month. employed for compensation by the  Reimbursements: Limited to $100. state, a county or a municipality, full Identify Contributors Reimbursement reports are e-filed to or part time. Elected officials and disclose vendors. retirees are exempt.  Candidates e-file deposit reports with  Please write legibly on checks so Public Buildings OCPF after making a deposit (Best practice: File the report within three banks are able to accurately report  MGL Chapter 55, Sec. 14 prohibits days of making a deposit). expenses to OCPF. soliciting or receiving contributions in buildings used for governmental Deposit reports are only filed when a   Debit Card: A campaign must purposes. deposit is made. There is no append a bank report to reflect the requirement to file deposit reports if  The prohibition is in effect at all times, purpose of a debit card expenditure money was not deposited into a even during non-business hours, within seven days of a bank report committee’s checking account. within the “four walls” of a building – not outside.  Contributions of more than $50 for being filed. This is done using OCPF’s the year must be itemized (name & reporting system, R7. address) on deposit reports. Best practice: Itemize all contributions.