Indiana Campaign Finance Penalties
A late Indiana campaign finance filing can cost $50 per calendar day, up to $1,000 per filing, plus documented investigative costs. The deadline afternoon counts as day one. If you missed a deadline, file the accurate report as soon as possible rather than waiting for a fine notice.
Prepare your CFA-4 with the free tool or check Indiana filing deadlines.
Late and defective filings: the fine schedule
| Filing problem | Daily penalty | Cap per filing |
|---|---|---|
| Late report or statement of organization | $50 per calendar day | $1,000, plus documented investigative costs |
| Defective filing not corrected after notice | $10 per day after the correction period | $100, plus documented investigative costs |
Under IC 3-9-4-17, the county election board must assess the late-filing penalty. The defective-filing penalty is discretionary: the board may assess it if you do not correct the filing by noon five days after the statutory notice. A defect notice is not a five-day extension of the original filing deadline.
For example, the deadline afternoon is the first $50 day; the next calendar day is the second. The daily late penalty reaches its $1,000 cap at 20 days. That cap is per filing, not a committee-wide limit.
What to do if your CFA-4 is late
- Complete and submit the missing report to the proper filing office. Keep a copy and confirmation of receipt. A postmark is not proof that the office received your report on time.
- Read any notice carefully. If the office identifies a defect, correct it within the stated period and retain the amended filing.
- Ask the office about the fine assessment and hearing procedure. Keep the notice, submission records, and evidence explaining the delay.
Use the county filing guide to find local filing information. Preparing a PDF with our tool does not submit it to the government.
How to request a waiver or reduction
Contact the Indiana Election Commission or county election board handling your filing and ask how to submit your explanation for a public hearing. Explain what happened and provide supporting records. Do not assume an email to a clerk automatically puts a waiver request on the hearing agenda.
IC 3-9-4-19 permits a waiver or reduction only by unanimous vote of the entire membership, with a finding that imposing the penalty would be unjust under the circumstances. A staff member cannot promise that vote. Requesting relief does not remove your filing obligation.
Misdemeanor and felony exposure are separate
IC 3-14-1-14 classifies failure to file a required campaign finance report with the proper office as a Class B misdemeanor. Paying a civil fine is not a substitute for filing.
IC 3-14-1-13 makes knowingly filing a fraudulent report a Level 6 felony. That is different from ordinary lateness or an inadvertent defect. A late notice is not itself a criminal conviction.
If you receive a criminal referral or believe a filed report contains fraudulent information, get advice from an Indiana attorney. This guide is general filing information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for a late campaign finance report in Indiana?
The late-filing penalty is $50 per calendar day, capped at $1,000 per report or statement, plus incurred and documented investigative costs. The afternoon of the filing deadline counts as day one.
Is a defective report fined at $50 per day?
The defective-filing rule is separate. If you do not correct the filing by noon five days after notice, the board may assess $10 per day after that period, capped at $100 per filing, plus incurred and documented investigative costs.
Can an Indiana campaign finance fine be waived?
The Indiana Election Commission or county election board can waive or reduce a required civil penalty by a unanimous vote of its entire membership at a public hearing, finding that the penalty would be unjust under the circumstances. A request does not guarantee a waiver or replace the missing report.
Does the $1,000 cap mean I can leave a report unfiled?
No. The cap limits the daily late-filing penalty for that filing, not the duty to file. Documented investigative costs can also apply, and failure to file a required report with the proper office is a Class B misdemeanor under IC 3-14-1-14.
Is a late campaign finance report a felony?
Ordinary lateness is not the conduct described by the fraudulent-report felony provision. IC 3-14-1-13 makes knowingly filing a fraudulent campaign finance report a Level 6 felony. Non-filing is addressed separately as a Class B misdemeanor.
Official sources
Checked October 1, 2026. See Indiana Code Title 3: IC 3-9-4-17 and -19 (civil penalties and relief), IC 3-9-5-7 (filing methods), and IC 3-14-1-13 and -14 (criminal provisions).
Not sure whether you need a committee? Read who must file in Indiana after HEA 1679.