After receiving several inquiries triggered by the new OGE Form 450 regulations, we thought links to some handy information might help:

• The fillable, printable, form is available from the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) website. It has expanded instructions.
• OGE has a training module for both new and experienced filers.
• OGE also has an excellent set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for filers and a FAQ file for ethics officials.
• For filers subject to the Joint Ethics Regulation (JER), our website has the handy overview of the new regulations as they supersede the JER and a page-by-page analysis (as reported in SOCO Advisory 06-11).

Key points include -

• Filing date is February 15, 2007. There is no "automatic" 30-day extension, but ethics officials may grant extensions for cause.
• Combat zone extensions have not changed.
• Qualified filers may file the Form 450A, Confidential Certificate of No New Interests (for filers with no changes in duties or financial interests). DoD filers must use the form from our website containing the supervisor's certification.
• Filers no longer report diversified mutual funds, but must report sector funds.
• Filers need not report student loans, credit card debts, and loans from financial institutions that are based generally available terms.

DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this advisory is to disseminate relevant information and sources of general guidance, policy and law on Government Ethics issues to the Department of Defense ethics community. Advisories are not intended to be and should not be cited as authoritative guidance, DoD policy, or law.