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Archive of contribution limits

This page contains archived charts of the contribution limits that applied in past election cycles. Select the relevant two-year election cycle or time period to access the limits for that cycle.

2021-2022

Recipient
Candidate committee PAC† (SSF and nonconnected) Party committee: state/district/local Party committee: national Additional national party committee accounts‡
Donor Individual $2,900* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year (combined) $36,500* per year $109,500* per account, per year
Candidate committee $2,000 per election $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers
PAC: multicandidate $5,000 per election $5,000 per year $5,000 per year (combined) $15,000 per year $45,000 per account, per year
PAC: nonmulticandidate $2,900* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year (combined) $36,500* per year $109,500* per account, per year
Party committee: state/district/local $5,000 per election (combined) $5,000 per year (combined) Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers
Party committee: national $5,000 per election** $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers

*Indexed for inflation in odd-numbered years.

†“PAC” here refers to a committee that makes contributions to other federal political committees. Independent-expenditure-only political committees (sometimes called “Super PACs”) may accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations and labor organizations.

‡The limits in this column apply to a national party committee’s accounts for: (i) the presidential nominating convention; (ii) election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings; and (iii) national party headquarters buildings. A party’s national committee, Senate campaign committee and House campaign committee are each considered separate national party committees with separate limits. Only a national party committee, not the parties’ national congressional campaign committees, may have an account for the presidential nominating convention.

**Additionally, a national party committee and its Senatorial campaign committee may contribute up to $51,200 combined per campaign to each Senate candidate.

2019-2020

Recipient
Candidate committee PAC† (SSF and nonconnected) Party committee: state/district/local Party committee: national Additional national party committee accounts‡
Donor Individual $2,800* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year (combined) $35,500* per year $106,500* per account, per year
Candidate committee $2,000 per election $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers
PAC: multicandidate $5,000 per election $5,000 per year $5,000 per year (combined) $15,000 per year $45,000 per account, per year
PAC: nonmulticandidate $2,800* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year (combined) $35,500* per year $106,500* per account, per year
Party committee: state/district/local $5,000 per election (combined) $5,000 per year (combined) Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers
Party committee: national $5,000 per election** $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers

*Indexed for inflation in odd-numbered years.

†“PAC” here refers to a committee that makes contributions to other federal political committees. Independent-expenditure-only political committees (sometimes called “Super PACs”) may accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations and labor organizations.

‡The limits in this column apply to a national party committee’s accounts for: (i) the presidential nominating convention; (ii) election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings; and (iii) national party headquarters buildings. A party’s national committee, Senate campaign committee and House campaign committee are each considered separate national party committees with separate limits. Only a national party committee, not the parties’ national congressional campaign committees, may have an account for the presidential nominating convention.

**Additionally, a national party committee and its Senatorial campaign committee may contribute up to $49,600 combined per campaign to each Senate candidate.

2017-2018

Recipient
Candidate committee PAC† (SSF and nonconnected) Party committee: state/district/local Party committee: national Additional national party committee accounts‡
Donor Individual $2,700* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year (combined) $33,900* per year $101,700* per account, per year
Candidate committee $2,000 per election $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers
PAC: multicandidate $5,000 per election $5,000 per year $5,000 per year (combined) $15,000 per year $45,000 per account, per year
PAC: nonmulticandidate $2,700* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year (combined) $33,900* per year $101,700* per account, per year
Party committee: state/district/local $5,000 per election (combined) $5,000 per year (combined) Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers
Party committee: national $5,000 per election** $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers

*Indexed for inflation in odd-numbered years.

†“PAC” here refers to a committee that makes contributions to other federal political committees. Independent-expenditure-only political committees (sometimes called “Super PACs”) may accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations and labor organizations.

‡The limits in this column apply to a national party committee’s accounts for: (i) the presidential nominating convention; (ii) election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings; and (iii) national party headquarters buildings. A party’s national committee, Senate campaign committee and House campaign committee are each considered separate national party committees with separate limits. Only a national party committee, not the parties’ national congressional campaign committees, may have an account for the presidential nominating convention.

**Additionally, a national party committee and its Senatorial campaign committee may contribute up to $47,400 combined per campaign to each Senate candidate.

2015-2016

Recipient
Candidate committee PAC† (SSF and nonconnected) Party committee: state/district/local Party committee: national Additional national party committee accounts‡
Donor Individual $2,700* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year (combined) $33,400* per year $100,200* per account, per year
Candidate committee $2,000 per election $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers
PAC: multicandidate $5,000 per election $5,000 per year $5,000 per year (combined) $15,000 per year $45,000 per account, per year
PAC: nonmulticandidate $2,700* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year (combined) $33,400* per year $100,200* per account, per year
Party committee: state/district/local $5,000 per election $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers
Party committee: national $5,000 per election** $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers Unlimited transfers

*Indexed for inflation in odd-numbered years.

†“PAC” here refers to a committee that makes contributions to other federal political committees. Independent-expenditure-only political committees (sometimes called “Super PACs”) may accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations and labor organizations.

‡The limits in this column apply to a national party committee’s accounts for: (i) the presidential nominating convention; (ii) election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings; and (iii) national party headquarters buildings. A party’s national committee, Senate campaign committee and House campaign committee are each considered separate national party committees with separate limits. Only a national party committee, not the parties’ national congressional campaign committees, may have an account for the presidential nominating convention.

**Additionally, a national party committee and its Senatorial campaign committee may contribute up to $46,800 combined per campaign to each Senate candidate.

On December 16, 2014, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (H.R. 83). Provisions of that law enable national party committees to establish accounts to defray certain expenses incurred with respect to:

  • Presidential nominating conventions;
  • Election recounts and other legal proceedings; and
  • Headquarters buildings.

The contribution limits applicable to these accounts are 300% of the limits on contributions to national party committees.

2013-2014

Recipient
To each candidate or candidate committee per election To national party committee per calendar year To state/district/local party committee per calendar year To any other political committee per calendar year1 Special limits
Donor Individual may give $2,600* $32,400* $10,000 (combined limit) $5,000
National party committee may give $5,000 No limit No limit $5,000 $45,400* to Senate candidate per campaign2
State, district and local party committee may give $5,000 (combined limit) No limit No limit $5,000 (combined limit)
PAC (multicandidate)3 may give $5,000 $15,000 $5,000 (combined limit) $5,000
PAC (not multicandidate) may give $2,600* $32,400* $10,000 (combined limit) $5,000
Authorized campaign committee may give $2,0004 No limit No limit $5,000

*These contribution limits are indexed for inflation.

1 A contribution earmarked for a candidate through a political committee counts against the original contributor’s limit for that candidate. In certain circumstances, the contribution may also count against the contributor’s limit to the PAC. 11 CFR 110.6. See also 11 CFR 110.1(h).

2 This limit is shared by the national committee and the national Senate campaign committee.

3 A multicandidate committee is a political committee with more than 50 contributors which has been registered for at least 6 months and, with the exception of state party committees, has made contributions to 5 or more candidates for federal office. 11 CFR 100.5(e)(3).

4 A federal candidate's authorized committee(s) may contribute no more than $2,000 per election to another federal candidate's authorized committee(s). 11 CFR 102.12(c)(2).

On April 2, 2014, the Supreme Court issued its decision in McCutcheon v. FEC, holding that the Federal Election Campaign Act’s aggregate contribution limits were unconstitutional. During the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014, an individual could contribute up to $48,600 to federal candidates and up to $74,600 to all other federal political committees, of which no more than $48,600 could go to political committees other than national party committees.

2011-2012

Recipient
To each candidate or candidate committee per election To national party committee per calendar year To state/district/local party committee per calendar year To any other political committee per calendar year1 Special limits
Donor Individual may give $2,500* $30,800* $10,000 (combined limit) $5,000 $117,000* overall biennial limit:
$46,200* to all candidates
$70,800* to all PACs and parties2
National party committee may give $5,000 No limit No limit $5,000 $43,100* to Senate candidate per campaign3
State, district or local party committee may give $5,000 (combined limit) No limit No limit $5,000 (combined limit)
PAC (multicandidate)4 may give $5,000 $15,000 $5,000 (combined limit) $5,000
PAC (not multicandidate) may give $2,500* $30,800* $10,000 (combined limit) $5,000
Authorized campaign committee may give $2,0005 No limit No limit $5,000

*These contribution limits are indexed for inflation.

1 A contribution earmarked for a candidate through a political committee counts against the original contributor’s limit for that candidate. In certain circumstances, the contribution may also count against the contributor’s limit to the PAC. 11 CFR 110.6. See also 11 CFR 110.1(h).

2 No more than $46,200 of this amount may be contributed to state and local party committees and PACs.

3 This limit is shared by the national committee and the national Senate campaign committee.

4 A multicandidate committee is a political committee with more than 50 contributors which has been registered for at least six months and, with the exception of state party committees, has made contributions to 5 or more candidates for federal office. 11 CFR 100.5(e)(3).

5 A federal candidate's authorized committee(s) may contribute no more than $2,000 per election to another federal candidate's authorized committee(s). 11 CFR 102.12(c)(2).

2009-2010

Recipient
Candidate Committee PAC1 State/district/local party committee2 National party committee3 Special limits
Donor Individual $2,400* per election4 $5,000 per year $10,000 per year combined limit $30,400* per year Biennial limit of $115,500*
($45,600* to all candidates and $69,9005 to all PACs and parties)
State, district and local party committee $5,000 per election combined limit $5,000 per year combined limit Unlimited transfers to other party committees Unlimited transfers to other party committees
National party committee $5,000 per election $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers to other party committees Unlimited transfers to other party committees $42,600* to Senate candidate per campaign6
PAC (multicandidate)7 $5,000 per election $5,000 per year $5,000 per year combined limit $15,000 per year
PAC (not multicandidate) may give $2,400* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year combined limit) $30,400* per year

*These contribution limits are indexed for inflation in odd-numbered years.

1 These limits apply both to separate segregated funds (SSFs) and political action committees (PACs). Affi liated committees share the same set of limits on contributions made and received.

2 A state party committee shares its limits with local and district party committees in that state unless a local or district committee's independence can be demonstrated. These limits apply to multicandidate committees only.

3 A party’s national committee, Senate campaign committee and House campaign committee are each considered national party committees, and each have separate limits, except with respect to Senate candidates—note Special limits column.

4 Each of the following is considered a separate election with a separate limit: primary election, caucus or convention with the authority to nominate, general election, runoff election and special election.

5 No more than $45,600 of this amount may be contributed to state and local parties and PACs.

6 This limit is shared by the national committee and the national Senate campaign committee.

7 A multicandidate committee is a political committee that has been registered for at least six months, has received contributions from more than 50 contributors and—with the exception of state party committees—has made contributions to at least five federal candidates.

8 A federal candidate's authorized committee(s) may contribute no more than $2,000 per election to another federal candidate's authorized committee(s). 2 U.S.C. §432(e)(3)(B) and 11 CFR 102.12(c)(2).

2007-2008

Recipient
Candidate Committee PAC1 State/district/local party committee2 National party committee3 Special limits
Donor Individual $2,300* per election 4 $5,000 per year $10,000 per year combined limit $28,500* per year Biennial limit of $108,200* overall biennial limit
($42,700* to all candidates and $65,5005 to all PACs and parties)
State, district and local party committee $5,000 per election combined limit $5,000 per year combined limit Unlimited transfers to other party committees Unlimited transfers to other party committees
National party committee $5,000 per election $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers to other party committees Unlimited transfers to other party committees $39,900* to Senate candidate per campaign6
PAC (multicandidate)7 $5,000 per election $5,000 per year $5,000 per year combined limit $15,000 per year
PAC (not multicandidate) may give $2,300* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year combined limit $28,500* per year

*These limits are indexed for inflation in odd-numbered years.

1 These limits apply both to separate segregated funds (SSFs) and political action committees (PACs). Affi liated committees share the same set of limits on contributions made and received.

2 A state party committee shares its limits with local and district party committees in that state unless a local or district committee's independence can be demonstrated. These limits apply to multicandidate committees only.

3 A party’s national committee, Senate campaign committee and House campaign committee are each considered national party committees, and each have separate limits, except with respect to Senate candidates—note Special Limits column.

4 Each of the following is considered a separate election with a separate limit: primary election, caucus or convention with the authority to nominate, general election, runoff election and special election.

5 No more than $42,700 of this amount may be contributed to state and local party committees and PACs.

6 This limit is shared by the national committee and the national Senate campaign committee.

7 A multicandidate committee is a political committee that has been registered for at least six months, has received contributions from more than 50 contributors and—with the exception of state party committees—has made contributions to at least five federal candidates.

8 A federal candidate's authorized committee(s) may contribute no more than $2,000 per election to another federal candidate's authorized committee(s). 2 U.S.C. §432(e)(3)(B) and 11 CFR 102.12(c)(2).

2005-2006

Recipient
Candidate per election National party per year State, district and local party per year Any PAC per year Special limits
Donor Individual $2,100* $26,700* $10,000 (combined) $5,000 $101,400 biennial limit1
National party $5,000 No limit No limit $5,000 $37,300* to Senate candidate per campaign2
State, district and local party $5,000 (combined) No limit No limit $5,000 (combined)
PAC (multicandidate) may give $5,000 $15,000 $5,000 (combined) $5,000
PAC (not multicandidate) may give $2,100* $26,700* $10,000 (combined) $5,000

*These limits are indexed for inflation in odd-numbered years.

1 This amount is composed of a $40,000 limit for what may be contributed to all candidates and a 61,400 limit for what may be contributed to all PACs and party committees. Of the $61,400 portion that may be contributed to PACs and parties, only $40,000 may be contributed to state and local party committees and PACs.

2 This limit is shared by the national committee and the Senate campaign committee.

2003-2004

On March 27, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA). Beginning with the 2003-2004 election cycle, the BCRA increased the limits on contributions made by individuals and political committees and indexed certain contribution limits for inflation.

Recipient
Candidate committee PAC1 State, district and local party committee2 National party committee3 Special limits
Donor Individual $2,000* per election4 $5,000 per year $10,000 per year (combined limit) $25,000* per year Biannual limit of $95,000*
($37,500 to all candidates and $57,5005 to all PACs and parties)
State, district and local party committee2 $5,000 per election combined limit $5,000 per election combined limit Unlimited transfers to other party committees Unlimited transfers to other party committees
National party committee3 $5,000 per election $5,000 per year Unlimited transfers to other party committees Unlimited transfers to other party committees $35,000* to Senate candidate per campaign6
PAC (multicandidate)7 $5,000 per year $5,000 per year $5,000 per year combined limit $15,000 per year
PAC (not multicandidate)7 $2,000* per election $5,000 per year $10,000 per year combined limit $25,000* per year

*These limits will be indexed for inflation.

1 These limits apply both to separate segregated funds (SSFs) and political action committees (PACs). Affiliated committees share the same set of limits on contributions made and received.

2 A state party committee shares its limits with local and district party committees in that state unless a local or district committee's independence can be demonstrated. These limits apply to multicandidate committees only.

3 A party’s national committee, Senate campaign committee and House campaign committee are each considered national party committees, and each have separate limits, except with respect to Senate candidates—note Special Limits column.

4 Each of the following is considered a separate election with a separate limit: primary election, caucus or convention with the authority to nominate, general election, runoff election and special election.

5 No more than $37,500 of this amount may be contributed to state and local party committees and PACs.

6 This limit is shared by the national committee and the national Senate campaign committee.

7 A multicandidate committee is a political committee that has been registered for at least six months, has received contributions from more than 50 contributors and—with the exception of state party committees—has made contributions to at least five federal candidates.

8 A federal candidate's authorized committee(s) may contribute no more than $1,000 per election to another federal candidate's authorized committee(s). 11 CFR 102.12(c)(2).

1976-2002

Before the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the contribution limits were not indexed for inflation and remained constant each election cycle. This chart displays the limits that applied from 1976 through 2002.

Recipient
To a candidate or candidate committee per election To a national party committee per calendar year To any other political committee per calendar year* Total per calendar year
Donor Individual may give $1,000 $20,000 $5,000 $25,000
Multicandidate political committee may give $5,000 $15,000 $5,000 (combined limit) No limit
Other political committee may give $1,000 $20,000 $5,000 No limit

*Exception: If a contributor gives to a committee knowing that a substantial amount of the contribution will be used to support a particular candidate, then the contribution counts against the donor's limit for that candidate (first column on the chart).

A multicandidate committee is a political committee with more than 50 contributors which has been registered for at least six months and, with the exception of state party committees, has made contributions to five or more candidates for federal office. 11 CFR 100.5(e)(3).