Campaign Finance Compliance & Political Giving Advisory Services
Political activity at the federal and state levels is governed by overlapping statutory, regulatory, and tax frameworks. Campaign finance compliance requires disciplined reporting systems, accurate transaction classification, and ongoing monitoring of contribution and expenditure activity.
Fiscal Highlands advises individuals, corporations, political committees, advocacy organizations, and tax-exempt entities on campaign finance compliance, PAC formation, and multi-jurisdictional political giving. Services are led by Ben Palkowski, a dual-licensed attorney and CPA whose combined campaign finance expertise, experience in government relations and working with nonprofits and political entities inform every client engagement.
Political committees, including corporate PACs, independent PACs, and Super PACs
Treasurers responsible for campaign finance reporting and regulatory deadlines
Advocacy groups navigating compliance obligations or establishing internal firewalls
Attorneys, advisors, or staff seeking neutral oversight or structured compliance support
Whether a client is forming a new committee, influencing legislation, or making political contributions, Fiscal Highlands provides guidance grounded in law, accounting, and practical operational experience.
┃WHO THIS IS FOR┃
This service is designed for:
┃WHEN TO CALL┃
Organizations and individuals typically engage Fiscal Highlands when:
Formation decisions could affect contribution limits, disclosure obligations, or operational flexibility
Internal reporting is unclear or transactions become inconsistent
Federal or state filing deadlines are approaching
Regulatory inquiries or internal disputes arise
Campaign finance compliance should be outsourced
Early consultation helps prevent errors, reduces exposure to penalties, and establishes systems designed to maintain compliance and confidence over time.
Political Committee Structuring
Selecting the correct political committee structure is a foundational strategic and compliance decision. Many political organizations are also treated as Section 527 organizations under the Internal Revenue Code. As such, compliance may involve not only FEC or state disclosure obligations, but also federal tax registration and reporting under IRC § 527.
Formation decisions affect contribution limits, disclosure requirements, tax treatment, and operational flexibility. Structural clarity at the outset reduces future risk.
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Corporate (Connected) PACs are sponsored by corporations, trade associations, or membership organizations. They must maintain strict separation between corporate treasury funds and PAC funds, comply with fundraising solicitation restrictions and contribution limits, and file regular financial disclosure reports with campaign finance regulators.
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Nonconnected PACs are not affiliated with other entities, and have more flexibility to solicit contributions from the general public, subject to applicable limits and disclosure requirements.
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Super PACs (Independent-Expenditure-Only Committees) may accept unlimited contributions from individuals or certain entities but are prohibited from coordinating with candidates or candidate committees. Their activity is strictly limited to independent expenditures.
Compliance & Administration
Campaign finance reporting is deadline-driven and publicly accessible. Errors, omissions, or misclassifications can result in regulatory exposure and reputational harm.
By establishing disciplined reporting infrastructure, Fiscal Highlands helps organizations maintain transparency and ensure compliance while minimizing the need for corrective actions or audits. Fiscal Highlands supports clients throughout the campaign and reporting lifecycle, including:
Committee termination and final distribution of funds
Responses to regulatory inquiries from the FEC, IRS or state agencies
Review and planning of extraordinary or transactions and events
Reconciliation of bank records, internal accounting records and public disclosure reports
FEC, state and local disclosure reporting
Accounting systems and donor records maintenance
Joint fundraisers or ventures with candidates or other organizations
Internal investigations, audits, and personnel transitions
When Complexity Becomes a Risk
What starts as growth can quickly turn into confusion: inconsistent reporting, unclear revenue classification, or mounting pressure from boards and regulators.
Fiscal Highlands helps organizations regain control, restore clarity, and ensure financial practices stand up to scrutiny.
Political Giving Advisory Services
Fiscal Highlands also advises individual donors, corporations, trade associations, family offices, and other organizations seeking to participate in the political process.
For many clients, political giving often exists alongside charitable contributions and public policy engagement. While political giving is distinct from philanthropic giving for tax and regulatory purposes, in practice, they are often approached in tandem.
Thoughtful coordination reduces compliance risk and improves transparency.
Advisory services include:
Evaluating whether political activity should occur through a donation to a PAC, direct contributions to candidates, or independent expenditures
Maintaining compliance with contribution limits and aggregation rules
Coordinating multi-jurisdictional giving activity
Establishing a political committee or nonprofit organization
Analyzing the tax implications of transferring assets to a political organization
Striking the proper balance between political giving and traditional charitable and philanthropic giving
┃YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER┃
Founded by Ben Palkowski, Attorney and CPA, Fiscal Highlands combines legal insight, accounting expertise, and hands-on political and nonprofit experience to deliver practical solutions for political committees, donors, and advocacy organizations.
“Campaign finance compliance is structural. If the system is flawed, the reporting will be flawed.” — Ben Palkowski, Attorney, CPA
This perspective guides every engagement, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and compliance.
Campaign finance compliance and engaging in political activity require systems that are accurate, defensible, and transparent. My role is to help clients navigate these obligations with confidence and clarity.”
“Political compliance and giving advisory require systems that are accurate, defensible, and transparent. My role is to help clients navigate these obligations with confidence and clarity.”
– Ben Palkowski, Attorney, CPA
THE FISCAL HIGHLANDS APPROACH
Whether you are interested in establishing a political organization, making campaign contributions, influencing legislation or running for public office yourself, Fiscal Highlands focuses on the accounting so you can focus on the activism. The goal is to ensure that organizations and individuals operate within the confines of campaign finance laws, avoid negative tax consequences and move the needle.
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The first step is to have an initial consultation to discuss your questions, your goals, or the issue you are facing. Please click here to request a consultation
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Some engagements are designed to resolve a one-off issue or question. Others are long-term projects or those that require ongoing attention.
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Once we have formalized an engagement, the work begins. Engagements are handled by Ben Palkowski, Attorney, CPA, who has experience working with Fortune 500 companies, labor unions, nonprofits and individual campaign contributors, navigating the political process and campaign finance systems.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Fiscal Highlands understands that every client’s needs vary and questions often arise even after reviewing our services. Below are some common inquiries. We also welcome direct conversations to explore your specific situation. If you have additional questions or would like guidance tailored to your needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out for a confidential consultation.
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A super PAC is the unofficial term for an “independent expenditure-only PAC. What makes super PACs different from other PACs is their ability to (1) raise unlimited amounts of money and (2) solicit donations from corporations and labor unions. The tradeoff for this fundraising flexibility is that a super PAC is not permitted to donate directly to or coordinate activities with federal candidates.
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A treasurer of a federal PAC is personally responsible for carrying out their duties and should understand their responsibilities and corresponding liability before taking them on. When there is a legal action against a PAC, the treasurer is usually named as a party to the legal action along with the PAC entity itself.
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Under federal law, a “contribution” is anything of value given to influence a federal election. This includes gifts of money, gifts of goods and services, and even certain loans. Contributions of goods and services are typically considered in-kind donations. This includes goods and services provided to a PAC free of charge or at less than the usual and normal charge.
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Under federal campaign finance law, a limited liability company may be treated as either a corporation or partnership. If an has chosen to file with the IRS as a corporation or has publicly traded shares, then contributions from the LLC to a federal PAC are prohibited. If, however, an LLC has chosen to file with the IRS as a partnership (or hasn’t made an election at all), then contributions from the LLC to federal a federal PAC are permissible, and special partnership rules apply.
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Absolutely. All engagements are handled with discretion and professional independence.
