The final fundraising push of 2012 is on and politically active individuals with substantial net worth need to be particularly careful to comply with the overall aggregate contribution limits, as well as with the sub-limits on giving to federal candidates, party committees and PACs.  On Friday, Reuters had a story on a prominent donor and advisor to a presidential campaign who allegedly exceeded the biennial limit of $117,000, as well as the sub-limits. 

The proliferation of joint fundraising committees and the rules on contributions from a couple using a joint account contain several traps for the unwary.  With donor data easily searchable online, efforts to test compliance with the contribution limits are growing more common, and Reuters found they could generate a news story from the effort.  A constitutional challenge to the overall federal contribution limits is pending, but for now the limits remain in effect.