funds referred to in such subsection are available to the committee at the time the committee makes an expenditure of a payment received under this title. 524. Remitting unspent funds after election (a) Remittance required (1) In general Not later than the date that is 180 days after the last election for which a candidate certified as a participating candidate qualifies to be on the ballot during the election cycle involved, such participating candidate shall remit to the Commission for deposit in the Freedom From Influence Fund established under section 541 an amount equal to the balance of the payments received under this title by the authorized committees of the candidate which remain unexpended as of such date. (2) Permitting candidates participating in next election cycle to retain portion of unspent funds Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a participating candidate may withhold not more than $100,000 (or, in the case of a candidate who exercises the option described in section 521(a)(2) to accept greater restrictions on the permissible sources of contributions and expenditures, not more than $200,000) from the amount required to be remitted under paragraph (1) if the candidate files a signed affidavit with the Commission that the candidate will seek certification as a participating candidate with respect to the next election cycle, except that the candidate may not use any portion of the amount withheld until the candidate is certified as a participating candidate with respect to that next election cycle. If the candidate fails to seek certification as a participating candidate prior to the last day of the Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period for the next election cycle (as described in section 511), or if the Commission notifies the candidate of the Commission’s determination does not meet the requirements for certification as a participating candidate with respect to such cycle, the candidate shall immediately remit to the Commission the amount withheld. (b) Exception for expenses incurred as a result