Investment income

Interest earned on investments, such as interest earned on invested funds and dividends earned on securities, are not considered contributions. Such funds, however, must be transferred back into the main campaign depository before being disbursed by the campaign. Additionally, tax laws apply. If a committee receives interest from a bank, it must list that bank on the committee’s Form 1.

In AO 2014-02, the Commission concluded that a committee can purchase bitcoins with funds from its campaign depository for investment purposes. The bitcoins do not need to be deposited in a campaign depository within 10 days of receipt. Bitcoins may be received into and held in a bitcoin wallet until the committee liquidates them.