Solved
Is claiming per diem mandatory
Do I have to claim per diem? I am an owner operator and I have claimed it in the past. I just didn't know if it was mandatory or not.
Answer
June 1, 2019
No, claiming per diem is not mandatory. The IRS allows these per diems as an alternative to actual meals & incidental expenses paid, thus freeing you from having to keep receipts to substantiate those costs. However, if you prefer to keep receipts for meals & incidentals -- and then use those "actual" amounts on your tax returns -- you certainly can.
Here's a link to an excellent article on this topic: http://www.mcmcpa.com/trucking-per-diems-drivers-beware
