Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I need a separate bank account and EIN?

Every entity is required to have a separate bank account.

As a best practice, candidates may want to register an employer identification number (EIN) to open this account. The Lieutenant Governor’s Office cannot provide this number. Refer to the IRS’s website for more information.
 
Created: 9/25/2017 Last Modified: 9/25/2017

How do I amend or un-submit a report?

To amend a report, go to the financial ledger. Click on the "Show Details" button on the left side of the ledger. This will show all transactions entered under a specific reporting period.

Click on the row you need to amend. The row will then highlight in yellow and on the end of the row an "Amend" button will appear. Click this button and amend the transaction as needed. Once the transaction is saved the amendment will automatically show on the filed report.

If you need to make changes to a filed report before the reporting deadline, please contact our office, and we can un-submit the report for you.

Created: 6/8/2012 Last Modified: 5/6/2015

How do I register a new entity (PIC, PAC, Corp, etc.)?

You will first need to create a new user. If you already have a username you will need to log in.

Once you have created your user you will click on create entity. Choose the type of entity you would like to register. Fill in the required information on the form. PACs and PICs -- make sure to click "Remove" on the additional fields you do not intend to fill out.

Once you have entered the required information, click "Save." Your information will be submitted for approval. You will receive an email letting you know the status of your registration within 5 business days.

Please note that candidates and political parties must call the Lt. Governor's Office to have their entity created.

Created: 6/8/2012 Last Modified: 6/29/2015

How do I submit a 30 day contribution report?

Candidates, officeholders, PICs, and PACs must report all contributions within 30 days of receiving the contribution. To make this report, simply enter the contribution information into the financial ledger and click Save. Once a contribution is saved to the ledger, you have fulfilled the 30 day reporting requirement. You do not need to hit the "file report" button until the report is complete with all transactions.

Created: 1/4/2012 Last Modified: 1/22/2018

How do I submit a report?

To submit a report you will log into your account and go to the Financial Ledger (found in "My Folder").

Input the required contributions and/or expenditure into the financial ledger.

Once you have inputted everything into the ledger, click the "File Report" button on the far right of the ledger.

If you have a large number of transactions you may also submit a report using the Excel import sheet. This sheet can be found on the bottom right corner of the financial ledger. Follow the instructions found on the import sheet.

Created: 6/8/2012 Last Modified: 5/6/2015

How do in-kind contributions affect my balance?

Prior to January 1, 2015, an in-kind contribution required the user to add a matching expenditure in order to "offset" the contribution and balance the ledger.

As of January 1, 2015,* a user will not need to offset an in-kind contribution. Please note that while the in-kind amount is displayed, it will not be included in the running totals or the balances. For example, if you have a $0 balance and receive a $200 in-kind contribution of internet services on July 4, 2015, you will simply add a $200 contribution to your ledger, check the in-kind box, and add a comment regarding the internet services. Your balance will remain $0 (the original amount).

As a reminder, an in-kind contribution is “anything of value, other than money, that is accepted by or coordinated with a filing entity” (Utah Code 20A-11-101(24)).

*January 1, 2015 is related to the contribution date, not the date a contribution is added to the ledger. If a user logs in today and inputs a transaction with a contribution date prior to January 1, 2015, the user would still need to offset the in-kind transaction by adding an identical expenditure. If you already offset an in-kind contribution in 2015, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will fix the offset to reflect your proper balance.

Click here to read more.

Created: 7/22/2015 Last Modified: 3/31/2017

I'm a candidate - how do I report my transactions?

If you are a legislative, state office, or state school board candidate, please follow these steps:
1. Create a new user.
2. Call our office (801-538-1041) so we can open your account. We will need the following information:
     - Full name
     - Full residential address
     - Office sought (e.g., House District 105)
     - Political party
3. Use the financial ledger to add contributions and expenditures, and File Reports.

Created: 1/22/2018 Last Modified: 1/22/2018

I've created a new user, why can't I see the financial ledger?

Your username must be tied to your entity account.

If you are a candidate, the Lt. Governor's Office has likely created your account for you. Please contact our office and we can tie your username to your account.

If you are creating a new user to be tied to an existing Corporation, PAC or PIC please contact our office.

Created: 6/8/2012 Last Modified: 6/29/2015

What are the financial disclosure reporting dates for 2018?

Click here for 2018 disclosure dates.

(Or view deadlines for 20172016, or 2015.)

Created: 6/8/2012 Last Modified: 3/7/2018

What does “in-kind” mean?

“In-kind contribution" means anything of value, other than money, that is accepted by or coordinated with a filing entity.”  See Utah Code 20A-11-101(24). Any entity has the option to check an “In-kind” box when adding a contribution to their ledger if the contribution meets the statutory definition.

Each in-kind contribution requires an explanatory comment (e.g. “Internet services”).

Created: 7/22/2015 Last Modified: 7/22/2015

What does “PSA” mean?

PSA (public service assistance) is aid given to an officeholder to defray officeholder costs. For the complete definition please see Utah Code 20A-11-101(45). An officeholder has the option to check the “PSA” box for any contribution added to their ledger that meets the statutory definition.

A contribution marked PSA does not require an additional comment.  If an officeholder would like to add a comment regarding a PSA they should use the Optional Comment box. 

Created: 7/22/2015 Last Modified: 7/22/2015

What is the Optional Comment box?

This new box allows a user to add an additional comment to any contribution. Any information that is entered will be publicly viewable. Please limit your comments to 255 characters. If a comment exceeds this limit, the system will not save your information.

A PSA does not require a comment.  If a candidate/officeholder would like to add a comment regarding a PSA they received they should use the Optional Comment box. In-kind contributions require a comment in the “in-kind comment” box.

Created: 7/22/2015 Last Modified: 7/22/2015

Where are the tabs for contributions or expenditures in the import sheet?

The contribution and expenditure sheets are “hidden” until a user selects the appropriate entity type from the drop-down menu on the information tab.

Because different entity types have different statutory requirements a user must choose the appropriate entity type prior to inputting contributions or expenditures.

If you choose to file reports using the import sheet rather than using the ledger, please only use the latest version. You can download this directly through your financial ledger.

Click here to read more.

Created: 7/22/2015 Last Modified: 3/31/2017

Where can I find a glossary of terms?

For campaign and financial reporting terms and definitions, click here.

For lobbyist disclosure terms and definitions, click here.

Created: 5/19/2015 Last Modified: 12/9/2016

Where can I find changes to Utah Code from the 2015, 2016, and 2017 legislative sessions?

2017: Highlights of changes to campaign finance and financial disclosure law from the 2017 legislative session. You can view 2017 financial disclosures deadlines here.
2016: Highlights of changes to campaign finance and financial disclosure law from the 2016 legislative session. You can view 2016 financial disclosure deadlines here.
2015: Highlights of changes to campaign finance and financial disclosure law from the 2015 legislative session. You can view 2015 financial disclosure deadlines here.

Click here for Utah Election Code.

Created: 6/18/2015 Last Modified: 5/10/2017

Where can I find financial disclosure requirements? / What are my reporting requirements?

Click here for the Lieutenant Governor's Elections website or click here for the Utah State Code.
 

Candidates & Officeholders:
Quick Guide
More details on elections.utah.gov

County Political Parties:
Quick Guide
More details on elections.utah.gov

Political Action Committees (PACs):
Quick Guide
More details on elections.utah.gov

Political Issues Committees (PICs):
Quick Guide
More details on elections.utah.gov

Created: 6/8/2012 Last Modified: 2/15/2018