Travel expenses: planning ahead

[elishaprather]

I have a W-2 job, but I also have a rental property a hundred miles from where I live and work. This coming year I plan on taking several long weekends to work on the property, spending two nights each trip. The property is near the county line, and has very little in the way of lodgings. The county in which the property is located also has a lower per diem rate than the adjacent county.  Basically, if I go ten miles down the road there are a lot of motels instead just one, which is a place I don't like.  Am I obligated to use the per diem rate of the county where the property is located? I'll be staying in the other county, regardless.

[Critter-3]

You do NOT use the per diem rate ... you must deduct the actual expenses for lodging. 

[elishaprather]

Thanks. Is that also the case with meals? I used to stay with a friend and just deduct mileage, but they have since moved away.

[Critter-3]

Yes.