Tax Year Prior to 2020: I was hired as an independent contractor and I was required to work out of state from May until August. How do I/ can I claim per diem?

It goes in the Meals & Entertainment area.  You can find the current Per Diem rates for the location to which you traveled at this link http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877.  Remember to select the correct tax year (2016) from the drop down menu.

How to get to the area to enter your business expenses :   While inside the software and working on your return, type Schedule C in the Search at the top of the screen (you may see a magnifying glass there).  There will be a popup that says Jump to Schedule C.  Select that to get to the general area. 

Then:

• select Edit next to your business (if it is there)
• scroll to Business Expenses
• then Select one of the following, depending on what expenses you are entering: Other Common Business Expenses
• then, Meals and Entertainment

You can use your own name and address for the business, if you don't have a business name.  And, there is no need for an EIN when it asks for that, if you don't have one. 

Follow through all the areas in the Business section of the TurboTax software and it will provide you with a lot of assistance. You'll notice blue links that have more information and details about the particular sections that will be extremely helpful. 

Also, this link may be helpful to you IRS Small Business Help Center .