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What Is RPAC?
Since 1969, the REALTORS Political Action Committee has promoted the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States. The purpose of RPAC is clear: REALTORS® raise and spend money to elect candidates who understand and support their interests. The money to accomplish this comes from voluntary contributions made by REALTORS®. These are not members’ dues; this is money given freely by REALTORS® in recognition of how important campaign fundraising is to the political process. RPAC does not buy votes. RPAC enables REALTORS® to support candidates that support the issues that are important to their profession and livelihood.
Your RPAC contribution is an investment, the best investment you will ever make in your business and yourself. RPAC is your insurance against poorly designed small business and commercial real estate legislation. If you are not giving your fair share to RPAC, you are not doing all you can to better your profession, your business, and yourself.
Your voluntary investment is used to improve your bottom line in several ways: through issues mobilization, political advocacy, and by directly supporting candidates at the local, state, and federal levels of government who champion the ideals and principles of REALTORS®. RPAC is your investment in real estate!
On the national level, we give our money to those in Congress who both understand and support REALTOR® issues. RPAC is the only bipartisan political group in the country organized for REALTORS®, run by REALTORS®, and exists solely to further issues important to REALTORS®.
What’s In It For You?
RPAC provides you with the opportunity to have a collective impact on the election of officials who will shape legislation that affects your livelihood and the way real estate professionals do business!
Where Does Your RPAC Investment Go?
100% of your investment is used to elect pro-REALTOR® candidates: 70% remains in Georgia to be used in state and local elections. 30% is forwarded to National RPAC to fund key U.S. House and Senate races. RPAC is bipartisan, supporting candidates and issues regardless of party affiliation. That’s why we are the REALTOR® Party!
How Does Your RPAC Investment Pay Off?
Your RPAC investment pays off with every political victory:
- Getting legislation passed that enables you to participate in a short sale without a violation of banking/mortgage rules.
- Creation of state and federal tax credits for first-time and repeat home buyers helped over 1.8 million people buy a home, increasing average REALTOR® commission income by more then $6,200.
- Raising the conforming mortgage loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac increased the earnings of the typical REALTOR® by $6,250.
- Preserving the Mortgage Interest Deduction in Congress protects annual commission income for the average REALTOR® of over $3,750.
- Preventing cities and counties in Georgia from charging individual agents a business license fee save you about $200 per jurisdiction in which you do business each year.
- Permanently prohibiting banking conglomerates from providing real estate brokerage and property management services saves the average REALTOR® $5,400 annually.
- Blocking a 6% state sales tax on real estate commissions saved the average member $2,100 every year.
- Lenders were slashing short sales commissions below the amount agreed to by the real estate broker and seller, but thanks to RPAC, Fannnie Mae are now banned from renegotiating commissions for short sales.
- RPAC saves the typical REALTOR® over $20,000 each year.
CLICK HERE to see the most recent legislative victories.
Can I Earmark Money to a Party or Particular Candidate?
No, under federal election law, the earmarking of contributions is illegal. However, you can make a contribution directly to a candidate.
Why Contribute to RPAC When I’ve Already Paid My Membership Dues?
Federal law prohibits the use of your dues dollars for political purposes. RPAC is funded entirely by the voluntary investments of REALTORS®.
No one is asking you for a donation or gift. That implies that you’re never going to see your money again. By fighting to protect property rights and keep the government out of your checkbook, RPAC becomes your best investment in your industry, your firm, and your career.
Is My RPAC Investment Tax Deductible?
No. Your investment is not tax deductible on your federal or state income tax returns.
What are the benefits and levels of RPAC investment?
CLICK HERE to see the RPAC Investor Levels and Benefits.
Only members may contribute to RPAC. Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal and the National Association of REALTORS®, the Georgia Association of REALTORS®, or the DeKalb Association of REALTORS® will not favor or disfavor any member because of the amount contributed. 70% of each contribution is used by GARPAC to support state and local candidates. Until GARPAC reaches its RPAC goal, 30% is sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a; after GARPAC reaches its RPAC goal, it may elect to retain your entire contribution for use in supporting state and local candidates. Federal law prohibits the use of your dues dollars for political purposes. RPAC is funded entirely by the voluntary investments of members.