There’s some confusion about the specifics of FEC filings.
This first one simply declares that he is spending or raising money as a candidate.
The next step is the financial disclosure filing, for which he has another 30 days. That filing can be delayed twice for a period of 45 days (another 90 days total).
The theory is that Trump will delay the financial disclosure filing long enough to get in the first few debates and then drop out before the last must-file-by date.
Yes, I remember the filing steps being mentioned, before. And, I think I read that theory, somewhere. Maybe here :) Wouldn’t surprise me. Time will tell.