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Political Financing Handbook for Candidates and Official Agents (EC 20155) – July 2021

This document is Elections Canada's archived guideline OGI 2021-04 and is no longer in effect.

An updated version may be available in the Registry.

5. Other Cash Inflows

This chapter explains how to report cash inflows to the campaign bank account other than contributions, loans and transfers. It covers the following topics:

  • Non-contribution portion of fundraising revenues
  • Bank interest
  • Refunds from suppliers
  • Returned portion of advances
  • Proceeds from the sale of assets
  • Initial reimbursement of paid expenses

Note: All monies flowing through the campaign bank account have to be reported.

Inflow type Description Example
Non-contribution portion of fundraising revenues The inflows for fundraising activities such as ticketed events, auctions and the sale of branded goods often consist of two parts:
  • the contribution portion, and
  • the other inflow, which is the difference between the selling price and the contribution
John Smith holds a ticketed fundraiser in support of his campaign. The ticket price for the fundraiser is $200, and the fair market value of the benefit received is $75. The contribution made by each ticket purchaser is $125.

The amount to be recorded as other inflow is the fair market value of the benefit received—that is, $75.
Bank interest Interest earned on the campaign bank account is other inflow. At the end of the month, the bank deposits $1.50 of interest into the campaign bank account. The official agent has to record this amount as other inflow.
Refunds from suppliers If a refund is received from suppliers, the refunded amount is other inflow.

The refunded amount may also need to be offset from the original election expense or other expense, and classified as an amount not included in election expenses since it is not an expense subject to the limit.
The official agent purchases 20 reams of paper for use in the campaign office, at a total cost of $60. Near the end of the campaign, the official agent returns 5 unused reams of paper and receives a $15 refund from the supplier. The official agent has to record this amount as other inflow.

The $15 is also offset from the original expense in the expenses section and classified as an amount not included in election expenses.
Returned portion of advances If the campaign advanced funds for petty cash, travel or other expenses, the unused returned portions are other inflows. The official agent gives $200 to an authorized person for travel expenses. At the end of the campaign, there is $50 left over and the official agent deposits this amount into the campaign bank account. The official agent records the $50 as other inflow.
Proceeds from the sale of assets If the campaign sells any of its assets, the amount received is other inflow.

The sale proceeds do not reduce the commercial value of the asset, which is the lower of the purchase price or the cost to rent a similar asset.
At the beginning of the campaign, the official agent purchases two brand new computers, at a cost of $2,000. After election day, the official agent sells the two computers for the amount of $1,500. This amount is recorded as other inflow.
Initial reimbursement of expenses If applicable, the initial reimbursement of paid election expenses and certain other expenses received from Elections Canada is other inflow. The candidate received more than 10% of the valid votes cast. Later, the campaign receives the first installment of the reimbursement, which is 15% of the election expenses limit. The official agent has to record the reimbursement as other inflow.