Filers should refer to this section if they have questions about how to fill out the Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). This section contains answers to the most frequently asked questions about the OGE 450 Form, links to the form, and examples of how to enter information on the form.

The OGE Form 450 is different from other forms that you have been asked to complete as a Government employee. There are very specific requirements about how to report the requested information on the form. Your ethics official audits each form, reviewing each line of the form to ensure that the information appears in the correct format. Ethics officials often require employees to make corrections to the forms and to clarify information. Sometimes employees have to submit more than one draft of the form. Once the information is correctly reported on the form, the ethics official is then able to analyze the information to determine if the employee has any potential conflicts of interest.

A new version of the OGE Form 450 will go into effect on January 1, 2007. The following questions and answers will cover the changes in the form along with basic information about filling out the form. If your question is not answered or if you are still unsure about what to report on the form, please contact your agency ethics official with your question.

A little preparation will help you fill out this form correctly and quickly and may also minimize the amount of time you may have to spend responding to your ethics official’s questions about your report. First, read through the entire form before you fill out any information. Having an overview of the information that is being requested will help you avoid mistakes. Failing to read the instructions may cause you to fill out the form incorrectly. Second, now that you know what information is requested, gather your financial records and have them available as you are filling out the form.