Ethics Office Wants Your Ideas for Better Disclosure Forms
Published Date: 11/6/2026
Notice
Summary
The Office of Government Ethics wants your ideas to improve two important financial disclosure forms used by executive branch workers. They’re hosting a virtual meeting on December 10, 2026, to hear from the public before renewing the forms in 2027. These updates aim to make the forms clearer and easier to use, with no extra costs expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Public input opportunity for form revisions
OGE is asking for public input on possible changes to the OGE Form 278e and OGE Form 450 ahead of the next scheduled renewal in 2027. You can attend a virtual meeting on December 10, 2026 (1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern) and must register and submit written comments by December 3, 2026 if you want them discussed at the meeting.
Possible cover fields for extensions and late fees
OGE is considering adding spaces on the Form 278e cover for agencies to record filing extensions, late-filing fee waivers, and late-filing fee payments. OGE notes feedback that such additions can benefit agencies and would not add to the public burden of completing the forms.
Revising Excepted Investment Fund (EIF) reporting
OGE is considering changing the EIF field on Form 278e to either a two-step question (first whether an asset has underlying holdings, then whether it qualifies as an EIF) or a simple Yes/No field. OGE is seeking views on whether a simpler field would reduce reporting accuracy or reduce information available to the public.
Expanded definitions and clarified instructions
OGE is seeking comments on adding or clarifying definitions and instructions (for example: honorarium, personal residence, relative, asset valuation, purchase/sale/exchange) and on expanding instruction text consistent with statutory and regulatory reporting rules. OGE is also considering hyperlinks to the Public Financial Disclosure Guide.
Adding examples to Form 278e
OGE is considering adding section-specific examples to the OGE Form 278e (similar to the examples on Form 450) and seeks input on which topic areas would most benefit from examples. The intent is to help filers understand how to complete each section.
Add asset ownership column to Form 450
OGE has received requests and is considering adding an optional column on the OGE Form 450 to identify asset ownership. OGE seeks comment on whether including this optional ownership information would add clarity or benefit reviewers and filers.
Add de minimis asset threshold flag on Form 450
OGE is considering adding a Yes/No question on Form 450 to indicate whether an asset is above the relevant regulatory de minimis valuation threshold, to reduce agency reviewer follow-up. OGE seeks comments on whether this would provide helpful clarity.
Potential redesign and HTML reviewer guide links
OGE is considering redesigning the Form 450 to move instructions/examples/definitions to separate pages and to provide hyperlinks to a user-friendly HTML version of the Form 450 Reviewers Guide, similar to Form 278e. OGE will weigh potential cost burdens if changes require reprogramming of electronic filing systems.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
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The Office of Government Ethics is updating rules for executive branch workers about reporting gifts and travel reimbursements. Starting January 1, 2026, higher dollar amounts must be reported, making it easier to track big gifts but not small ones. These changes kick in officially on October 28, 2026, and help keep ethics clear and fair without extra costs.
2026-14872, Exempting Certain Career Federal Employees From Ethics Reporting Requirements
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2026-10772, Agency Information Collection Activities; Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request for Legal Expense Fund Information Collection
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2026-04439, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Proposed Collection; Comment Request for a Modified OGE Form 201 Request an Individual's Ethics Documents
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2025-23267, Agency Information Collection Activities; Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request for Legal Expense Fund Information Collection
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2026-21059, Post-Employment Conflict of Interest Restrictions; Revision of Departmental Component Designations
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