OGE Form 278e is the Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report. It is used to disclose specified financial interests of senior executive-branch government officials and certain candidates, nominees and employees. The U.S. Office of Government Ethics publishes an interactive guide with detailed instructions, examples and FAQs for the report’s sections. This guide explains the documented audience, completion steps, supporting evidence, cautions and questions based on the official document and relevant agency instructions. Use the official online service for the actual filing.
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What is OGE 278e?
OGE Form 278e is the Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report. It is used to disclose specified financial interests of senior executive-branch government officials and certain candidates, nominees and employees. The U.S. Office of Government Ethics publishes an interactive guide with detailed instructions, examples and FAQs for the report’s sections.
Who needs to file OGE 278e?
OGE identifies public financial disclosure filers, including certain senior federal officials, nominees, new entrants, annual and termination filers. The applicable category determines report timing and content. Not all federal employees file this public report.
When to file OGE 278e
The OGE guide distinguishes candidate, nominee, new entrant, annual and termination reports, each with separate filing rules. Do not apply one universal deadline to every Form 278e filer; consult the specific category in the current OGE guide and agency ethics office.
How to fill out OGE 278e
Confirm the report type
Determine whether the required OGE Form 278e report is for candidacy, nomination, entry, annual filing or termination.
Review the official web guide
Use the OGE Public Financial Disclosure Guide rather than an out-of-date PDF guide.
Complete the cover page
Enter the cover-page information according to the guide and the applicable filing system.
Report positions and employment interests
Follow Parts 1 through 4 for positions, employment assets/income, employment arrangements and compensation sources.
Review family and personal assets
Use the sections covering spouse’s employment assets/income and other assets and income where reportable.
Review transactions and liabilities
Complete the relevant parts for transactions and liabilities as explained in the guide.
Address gifts and travel reimbursements
Check the reporting rules and thresholds applicable to Part 9 for the reporting period.
File through the appropriate channel
Normally use the employing agency’s electronic system such as Integrity; follow the category-specific process for exceptions or candidates.
How to submit OGE 278e
OGE explains that executive-branch employees normally file their reports with their employing agency using Integrity or another approved electronic disclosure system. The downloadable form is provided for filers unable to use an electronic system. Candidate filers are subject to a different route, described separately in the OGE guide.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not use the same filing deadline for candidate, nominee, new entrant, annual and termination reports.
- Do not confuse OGE Form 278e with the separate periodic-transaction Form 278-T.
- Do not rely on the phased-out PDF version of the OGE guide instead of the updated web guide.
- Do not assume every federal employee is subject to the public financial disclosure system.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs OGE Form 278e?
Certain senior executive-branch officials, nominees and other categories specified by OGE; not every federal employee.
What is the difference between OGE 278e and 278-T?
OGE 278e is the public financial disclosure report; OGE 278-T separately covers periodic transaction reporting.
Where are detailed section-by-section instructions?
The official web-based Public Financial Disclosure Guide explains the cover page and Parts 1 through 9.
How are reports generally filed?
Typically through the employing agency’s electronic disclosure system, such as Integrity; check exceptions for candidates and other special filers.
Is the downloadable PDF guide current?
OGE states that it is phasing out the PDF guide and that updates are made to its web guide.
Ready to fill out OGE 278e?
Fill out OGE 278e now