Common FEC Filing Mistakes

Filing reports with the Federal Election Commission is a necessary, yet often nerve-wracking—part of running a political campaign. Whether you're a first-time candidate or a seasoned campaign manager, the stakes are high. Mistakes in your filings can lead to fines, increased scrutiny, or damage to your campaign’s reputation.

Here are the most common FEC filing mistakes—and how to avoid them:

1. Missing Filing Deadlines

Filing late with the FEC can trigger immediate penalties. Even a one-day delay can cost your campaign both financially and reputationally.

✅ Tip: Assign someone from your team that isn’t task-saturated to focus on compliance. Use a campaign calendar with automated deadline reminders to stay ahead.

2. Exceeding Contribution Limits

Not tracking contributions accurately can cause your campaign to unknowingly violate donor limits—resulting in fines or required refunds.

✅ Tip: Monitor donor totals closely, especially for high-frequency contributors.

3. Incomplete Donor Information

Failing to report full employer and occupation details for contributions over $200 is a common mistake that can lead to FEC inquiries.

✅ Tip: Make this a required field in your donor intake process.

4. Failing to Report Debts or Loans

Outstanding debts, unpaid invoices, or in-kind contributions must be reported. Forgetting these entries creates transparency issues and can raise compliance flags.

✅ Tip: Keep a running log of all unpaid obligations.

5. Not Reconciling with Bank Records

Inaccurate or inconsistent financial data between your FEC report and your campaign bank statements can trigger audits.

✅ Tip: Reconcile your financials monthly and prior to each filing deadline.

6. Misclassifying Transactions

Filing a travel reimbursement as a direct payment or placing a fundraising expense under admin costs can distort your financials.

✅ Tip: Train your team to understand FEC categories and check each entry twice.

Want to avoid these mistakes entirely?

Princeton Strategies is your trusted compliance partner. From regular reviews to hands-on support, we ensure your FEC filings are done right—every time. No guesswork. No last-minute panic. We’re here to help.

📩 Ready to file with confidence? Contact Princeton Strategies today.