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Campaign Committee's and EIN's: What First-Time Candidates Need to Know

Two things every candidate on GoodParty.org needs to become a Pro User and clear 10DLC compliance: a campaign committee name and an EIN. Here is what they are, why they matter, and how to get them.

Part 1: Your Campaign Committee

What is it?

  • A campaign committee is the official legal entity that receives contributions and pays campaign expenses on your behalf.
  • It has its own name and its own finances, separate from you as an individual.
  • Think of it as the "business" of your campaign. You are the candidate. The committee is the entity that handles the money.

Who needs one?

  • Any candidate who wants to use the Pro features on the GoodParty.org platform.
  • Most candidates who raise or spend money in any amount, though the legal requirement to formally register varies by state.
  • Candidates who plan to text voters: your committee identity is required to complete 10DLC compliance on the platform.

Do I have to register it with my state?

  • It depends on your state. Some states require registration before you raise or spend a single dollar. Others have a dollar threshold that triggers registration. A few make it optional below certain amounts.
  • Check your state's Secretary of State, Board of Elections, or Election Commission website to find out what applies to your race. This is a free look-up and usually takes about 15 minutes.
  • If your state requires registration, it comes first, before you apply for an EIN or open a bank account.

When should I do this?

  • Before accepting contributions, making campaign purchases, or signing up for campaign tools.
  • It is the first step to formalizing your campaign finances.

Why does it matter beyond the legal requirement?

Even when state law does not require formal registration, forming a named committee and keeping campaign finances separate from personal finances is widely recognized as best practice. Here is why:

  • No co-mingling of funds. Mixing campaign money with personal money creates record-keeping problems and can raise compliance issues. A separate committee account keeps everything clean and trackable.
  • Protects your personal financial information. If your campaign finances are ever reviewed by an election authority or auditor, only your campaign account is examined. Your personal transactions stay private. As one campaign finance resource puts it, a dedicated account ensures that your personal financial data is not exposed to unnecessary scrutiny. (Source: womencampaign.com, Every Campaign Needs a Political Bank Account)
  • Builds credibility. Donors and voters take campaigns more seriously when finances are handled transparently and professionally.

GoodParty.org requires:  a campaign committee name to use the platform. Even self-funded candidates who do not accept outside donations must have a committee name and EIN to complete 10DLC compliance and access the platform's tools.

Part 2: Your EIN

What is an EIN?

  • EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. It is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS.
  • It is your campaign committee's tax identification number, similar to how a Social Security Number identifies you as an individual.
  • It belongs to your committee, not to you personally. Your personal taxes are not affected.

Who needs one?

  • Every candidate on GoodParty.org. This is a platform requirement with no exceptions.
  • Any campaign that opens a bank account. Banks require an EIN to open a campaign account.
  • Any candidate completing 10DLC compliance. The EIN is required to verify your committee's identity for text messaging registration.

How do I get one?

  • Go directly to IRS.gov and use the free online EIN application.
  • When asked for your entity type, select "View additional types, including tax-exempt and governmental types" and then choose "Political Organization."
  • Enter your committee name exactly as it appears on any state registration. Use the same name everywhere.
  • You will be asked to identify a responsible party (the candidate or treasurer) and provide that person's Social Security Number. This is only to identify the individual behind the entity. It does not connect the committee's finances to your personal taxes.
  • Your EIN is issued immediately when you submit. Save or print the confirmation page.

Watch out:  Third-party websites charge fees to obtain an EIN for you. This is unnecessary. The IRS application is always free. Use IRS.gov directly.

What does it cost?

  • Nothing. The IRS EIN application is completely free.

Want to know more? 

Each state has different requirements.

  • When you must register your committee varies by state. Some require it immediately upon declaring candidacy. Others set a dollar threshold.
  • Reporting schedules, contribution limits, and filing formats differ from state to state.
  • Local races (school board, city council) are sometimes governed at the county or municipal level rather than the state level.
  • GoodParty.org serves candidates in all 50 states. Because rules genuinely vary, we cannot advise on what your specific state requires. You need to check directly.

Where do I find my state's rules?

  • Start with your state's Secretary of State, Board of Elections, or Election Commission website.
  • Search for "candidate committee registration" along with your state name.
  • For local races, also check with your county clerk or local election board.
  • Most state election agencies offer free guidance documents and some have phone support for first-time candidates.

What reports might I have to file, and when?

  • This depends entirely on your state and the size of your campaign.
  • Most states require periodic disclosure reports showing contributions received and expenditures made. Common filing windows include before the election, after the election, and quarterly or annually for ongoing committees.
  • At the federal level, the IRS requires Section 527 organizations to file Form 8871 (notice of 527 status) and Form 8872 (periodic reports) only when annual contributions or expenditures exceed $25,000. Many small local campaigns never reach this level.
  • State thresholds may be lower than the IRS threshold. Check your state's rules.
  • Your state election authority website will tell you exactly what applies to your race.

What are the tax implications?

  • Campaign committees are classified by the IRS as Section 527 organizations. Under this classification, contributions to your committee are not taxable income.
  • Your campaign's finances do not appear on your personal tax return.
  • Donations to your campaign are not tax-deductible for donors, unlike charitable donations. Be upfront with supporters about this.
  • Campaign funds must be used for campaign purposes only. Using them for personal expenses can create personal tax liability.
  • Leftover campaign funds cannot be kept as personal income. Rules on what you can do with unspent funds vary by state.

Bottom line:  For most first-time local candidates, the tax situation is simple. Your campaign committee files its own records separately from your personal taxes. As long as you keep campaign funds separate and spend them on campaign activities, there is very little personal tax exposure. When in doubt, your state's election authority website or a local campaign finance attorney are your best resources.

Ready to Get Started?

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GoodParty.org is not a tax or legal services provider. This content is for general educational purposes only. Campaign finance rules vary by state. Check your state's Secretary of State or Election Commission website, or speak with a local campaign finance attorney, for guidance specific to your race.