Investment income and loss
A committee that has invested its funds—for example, in a savings account, money market fund or certificate of deposit—must include the total amount invested in its cash on hand (Line 27 of Form 3). Since investment money is not actually spent, it is considered a committee asset and should not be reported as a disbursement.
If a committee invests the funds in a bank that was not previously identified as a campaign depository on the Statement of Organization (Form 1), the committee must file an amended Statement of Organization disclosing the name and address of the new depository. The amendment must be filed within 10 days of making the investment.
If committee funds are invested in a fund that is not operated by a bank (such as a money market fund operated by a brokerage firm), no amendment to the Statement of Organization is required. Before using the funds (principal or interest) to make expenditures, the committee must first transfer them to a designated campaign checking account.
Note, however, that interest or other income earned on these investment accounts need not be placed in the campaign depository account before they are reinvested. Investments are not expenditures; they are simply a conversion of assets from one form to another. The committee must report the reinvested income from investments.
Reporting on candidate forms
House and Senate committees report interest received or lost during the reporting period in the “Other Receipts” category on Form 3, Line 15. If investment income from one source aggregates over $200 during an election cycle, itemize the interest on Schedule A, supporting Line 15. Losses are indicated by negative entries.
The committee reports the investment income on Schedule A, supporting Line 15. It includes the bank’s name and mailing address. It also includes the date of receipt, amount of investment income, election designation and aggregate election cycle-to-date total for the financial institution.
In addition, a committee reports income tax paid on investment income as an operating expenditure. Income tax payments must be itemized on a Schedule B supporting Line 17, “Operating Expenditures,” if the payments aggregate over $200 during an election cycle to the payee (local, state, or federal government).
The committee reports the income tax paid on investment income on Schedule B, supporting Line 17. It includes the name and mailing address of the payee, the date, amount, and purpose of disbursement.
Reporting with FECFile
To enter an investment income or loss, go to the Summary Page tab, right click on “Line 15 Other Receipts (Dividends, Interest, etc.)” and select ”new.”
To enter income tax paid on investment income, go to the Summary Page tab, right click on “Line 17 Operating expenditures” and select “new.”
