To use the allowed daily per diem instead of receipts for travel expenses, follow these steps:
- Keep Detailed Records: Maintain a travel log that includes the business purpose, dates, and locations of your trips. You can find tips on how to keep a travel log here.
- Submit Expense Reports: Even without receipts, you need to maintain and/or submit an expense report. Make sure it includes:
- The business purpose of the trip
- Dates and locations of travel
- Find Per Diem Rates: Check the General Services Administration (GSA) website for the per diem rates applicable to your travel destination. You can look up the rates here.
- First and Last Travel Day: Apply 75% of the Meals & Incidental Expenses (M&IE) rate for the first and last day of travel.
- Receipts: While receipts are not required for per diem, keeping them can help provide clarity and support your records.
