Seize the Day with Simplified per Diems

In high cost locales, employees can get $292 tax free each day. The daily stipend is $198 for other areas. For meals and incidentals only, the rates are $71 a day in high-cost areas and $60 elsewhere. The per diem rate for incidental expenses is $5 per day.

Self-employed individuals can use the meals and incidentals rate but not the higher rate that includes lodging. Self-employed individuals must be substantiated separately…