how much can you donate to an election

How much cash can you donate to a political campaign?

Feb 05, 2008 · Unlimited during the last 21 days before an election, no contributor may donate more than $5,000. $3,400/year for election expenses. Unlimited for administrative and party-building expenses except during the last 21 days before an election (see left) Same as PAC limits. Same as PAC limits. West Virginia §3-8- 12(f) to (h)

How much can I give to a presidential candidate?

The contribution limit for an individual is $2,500 per election, so the donor could give a total of $5,000 toward the primary and the general.

What is the maximum amount of money a candidate can donate?

Who can and cannot contribute to a federal candidate, including information on contributions from individuals, partnerships, PACs, minors and prohibitions on corporations, labor organizations, federal government contractors and foreign nationals ... AO 2006-15 Domestic subsidiaries of foreign corporation may donate to state and local elections.

How much can I contribute to my Congressman's re-election campaign?

Authorized Campaign Committees

In the 2021 - 2022 election cycle, an authorized campaign committee may give:

Political Action Committee (PAC), Not Multicandidate

In the 2021 - 2022 election cycle, a PAC (not multicandidate) may give:

State, District and Local Party Committees

In the 2021 - 2022 election cycle, a state, district or local party committee may give:

National Party Committees

In the 2021 - 2022 election cycle, a national-level party committee may give:

How much can you give to a political party?

Yes, individuals are allowed to give as much as $35,500 to national political parties and $10,000 to state, district, and local parties over the course of a calendar year.

Who is Tom Murse?

Federal Election Commission Rules and Regulations. Tom Murse has been writing about politics and government for over two decades, and has been recognized by the Nieman Foundation for fairness in investigative reporting. So you want to give some money to a political candidate.

What states allow political parties to donate money?

19 states impose no restrictions on the ability of state party committees to contribute money to a candidate’s campaign. Illinois, Kansas, New Jersey, and New York allow state parties to donate unlimited sums if the candidate meets certain qualifications, such as running uncontested or agreeing by certain spending limits. The remaining 27 states have some sort of restriction on funds from political parties, falling into two camps. Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico and West Virginia require parties to follow the same contribution limits established for individuals. The other 20 states outline separate limits for political parties.

How many states have no limits on donations?

Only eleven states (Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia) impose no contribution limits on individual donors. The other 39 states restrict the amount of money that any one individual can contribute to a state campaign. These limits are typically dependent upon the office ...

How many states prohibit corporations from contributing to political campaigns?

22 states completely prohibit corporations from contributing to political campaigns. Another five—Alabama, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah and Virginia—allow corporations to contribute an unlimited amount of money to state campaigns. Of the remaining 23 states, 19 impose the same restrictions on corporation contributions as they do for individual contributions. The other four set different limits.

What is a PAC?

PACs, or political action committees, are organizations that pool campaign contributions from its members to support or oppose candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation. Oftentimes formed in support of a specific candidate or ballot measure, PACs represent one way a corporation can contribute to a candidate’s campaign without violating restrictions on corporate influence in elections. If a corporation desired to form a PAC, pooling contributions from its employees or outside sources into a distinct bank account, the PAC can spend money to influence elections in a way the corporation cannot by itself. 13 states allow PACs to contribute unlimited amounts of money to state campaigns.

Notes on Contributions to Presidential Campaigns

The contribution limits work a little differently for presidential campaigns.

Can Anybody Contribute?

Certain individuals, businesses, and associations are prohibited from making contributions to Federal candidates or political action committees (PACs).

What Constitutes a "Contribution?"

Besides checks and currency, the FEC considers "...anything of value given to influence a Federal election " to be a contribution. Note that this does not include volunteer work. As long as you are not compensated for it, you can perform an unlimited amount of volunteer work.

Public Funding of Presidential Elections

Not all of the money spent by presidential candidates comes from donations by individuals. Since 1974, eligible presidential candidates have been allowed—should they choose to do so—receive money from the taxpayer-supported presidential public funding program.

Limits on Contributions to Political Parties

Just 13 states have no limits on how much can be given to political parties. Those states are:

Updated February 5, 2008

Just 13 states have no limits on how much can be given to political parties. Those states are:

How much can a political action committee donate?

Unlike super PACs, a political action committee has a donation cap of $5,000. That means an individual may be limited to donating just $2,800 to a candidate's campaign but that person could provide endless funds to a super PAC supporting the same candidate.

How much can a party committee accept?

The same goes for party committees, which can accept up to $35,500 per year. An individual could also give $106,500 to a party’s convention, recount and building funds.

What is a federal contractor?

A federal government contractor is a person who enters into a contract, or is bidding on such a contract, with any agency or department of the United States government and is paid, or is to be paid, for services, material, equipment, supplies, land or buildings with funds appropriated by Congress.

What is a foreign national?

A foreign national is: An individual who is not a citizen of the United States, and not lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a) (20)); or. A foreign principal, as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 611 (b).

Is an unincorporated tribal entity a person?

In past advisory opinions and enforcement cases, the Commission has determined that an unincorporated tribal entity can be considered a "person" under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) and thus subject to the various contribution prohibitions and limitations.

What is a foreign principal?

Section 611 defines a foreign principal as a group organized under the laws of a foreign country or having its principal place of business in a foreign country. The statute specifically mentions foreign governments, political parties, partnerships, associations and corporations.

Can a campaign accept donations from a corporation?

Campaigns may not accept contributions from the treasury funds of corporations, labor organizations or national banks. This prohibition applies to any incorporated organization, including a nonstock corporation, a trade association, an incorporated membership organization and an incorporated cooperative.

Can a doctor's practice be a professional corporation?

Although law firms, doctors’ practices and similar businesses are often organized as partnerships, some of these businesses may instead be professional corporations. Unlike a partnership, a professional corporation is prohibited from making any contributions because contributions from corporations are unlawful.

Can a partnership make a contribution to a corporation?

Because contributions from corporations are prohibited, a partnership or LLC with corporate partners or members may not attribute any portion of a contribution to the corporate partners or members. A partnership or LLC composed solely of corporate partners or members may not make any contributions.

What are some examples of charitable donations?

Common examples of charitable donation deductions include money or property given to: Churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, or other qualified religious organizations. Federal, state, or local governments, if your contribution is solely for a public purpose and does not seek to influence legislation.

What are political groups?

Political groups or candidates for public office. Civic leagues, social and sports clubs, chambers of commerce, and labor unions. Groups that are run for personal profit. Country clubs, lodges, fraternal orders, homeowners' associations, or similar groups.

Can you deduct volunteer hours?

You also can't deduct the value of any services you may have provided to a charitable organization. In other words, you can't deduct an "hourly rate" for your volunteering, but you can typically deduct unreimbursed mileage or other travel expenses incurred while volunteering for a qualified charitable organization.

Is a charitable donation tax deductible?

While charitable donations are generally tax-deductible, any donations made to political organizations or political candidates are not. If you’re unsure whether the organization you’re thinking of donating to qualifies or not, the IRS provides a Tax-Exempt Organization Search Tool that you can use.

Individual Contribution Limits

• Only eleven states (Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia) impose no contribution limits on individual donors. The other 39 states restrict the amount of money that any one individual can contribute to a state campaign. These limits are typically dependent upon the office the ca...

See more on ncsl.org

State Party Contribution Limits

Corporation Contribution Limits

Political Action Committee Contribution Limits

Notes on Contributions to Presidential Campaigns

See more on thoughtco.com

Can Anybody Contribute?

What Constitutes A "Contribution?"

Public Funding of Presidential Elections