Am I eligible for filing for per diem?

[a85rutchik]

I am in a travelling position and I work away from home for three nights a week.  I am over 50 miles away as well. My employer does pay for my hotel stays, vehicle and gas. But unfortunately I do not get a meal expense. Am I eligible to file for per diem for my meals? That being said to keep hundreds of receipts for meals would be quite tough. Am I able to claim the 48 dollar standard rate? I can prove that I've been out of town because of my hotel receipts I submit to my employer.

[bwa · Accepted solution]

You would be eligible to deduct meals if you are away from home, on business, overnight.  Instead of keeping actual receipts you can claim the Government per diem rate. In most locations it is $51/day, not $48.

For travel on business, overnight, away from home the per diem rate varies from location to location. From IRS Publication 17: "Amount of standard meal allowance. The standard meal allowance is the federal M&IE rate. For 2015 the rate in most small localities is $51 a day." For more specific rates, see http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem as the actual rate depends on the location of your travel. (Note that you need to set the year in the drop down box just above the map.)

[a85rutchik]

Thank you! How much of the $51 a day would I get back on my return? All of it?

[Lisa995]

You don't get it refunded.  Its a part of your itemized deductions.  How it will affect your overall tax return, nobody here can answer.  You'll have to work the numbers through the program and see how it works for your situation.