Guides
Everything you need to calculate, understand and defend a per diem or mileage claim.
What Is Per Diem? A Plain-English Guide
Per diem is a flat daily allowance for lodging, meals and incidentals on a business trip. Here's how it works, who sets the rates, and how to use it.
8 min read
Is Per Diem Taxable? When It Counts as Income
Per diem within the federal rate, backed by an expense report, is tax-free. Here's when per diem becomes taxable wages and how to keep it clean.
7 min read
The 75% First-and-Last-Day Per Diem Rule
On your first and last day of travel, M&IE per diem is paid at 75%, not 100%. Here's why, and how it changes a trip total.
6 min read
How to Calculate Per Diem for a Business Trip
Step by step: find the GSA rate for your destination, apply the 75% first-and-last-day rule to M&IE, add lodging per night, and total the trip.
8 min read
What Does Per Diem Cover? Lodging, Meals & Incidentals
Per diem covers your hotel (lodging) and your meals and incidentals (M&IE). Here's exactly what's in — and what's not — including incidentals.
7 min read
The GSA M&IE Breakdown, Explained
Every GSA M&IE tier splits into breakfast, lunch, dinner and incidentals. Here's the FY2026 breakdown and how deductions for provided meals work.
7 min read
The 2026 IRS Standard Mileage Rates
The 2026 IRS mileage rates: 72.5¢/mile Jan-Jun, then 76¢/mile from July 1 after a rare mid-year rise. Medical/moving and charity rates too, plus how to use them.
8 min read
Per Diem vs. Actual Expense Reimbursement
Should you use per diem or reimburse actual receipts? A comparison of paperwork, tax treatment, fairness and when each method wins.
7 min read
The Standard CONUS Per Diem Rate, Explained
Most US destinations use the standard CONUS rate — $110 lodging and $68 M&IE for FY2026. Here's when it applies and how it differs from city rates.
7 min read
Travel Nurse Per Diem (Stipends), Explained
How travel-nurse housing and M&IE stipends relate to GSA per diem, and the tax-home rule that keeps them tax-free.
7 min read
Per Diem for Government Contractors
Federal contractors must bill travel at GSA per diem rates. Here's how the FTR/JTR limits flow into a contract and why documentation matters.
7 min read
Why GSA Lodging Rates Change by Month
Many GSA cities have seasonal lodging caps that rise in peak months. Here's why, and how to use the right month's rate for your trip.
6 min read
VA Mileage Reimbursement for Veterans
Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare can be reimbursed for mileage to VA facilities. Here's the rate, eligibility rules, and how to file a travel claim.
8 min read
Calculating Mileage Reimbursement Step by Step
Multiply business miles by the IRS rate, submit a mileage log, and round to two decimal places. Here's exactly how to calculate reimbursement in 2026.
8 min read
Claiming Mileage on Your Taxes: 2026 Guide
Self-employed workers can deduct business miles at the IRS rate on Schedule C — 72.5¢/mile before July 1, 76¢/mile after. Here's what qualifies and how to claim the 2026 mileage deduction.
9 min read
What Is a Travel Stipend? A Complete Guide
A travel stipend is a fixed allowance for business travel costs. Here's how it differs from per diem, how stipends are taxed, and who typically receives one.
8 min read
Mileage Reimbursement Policy: What to Include
A written mileage policy sets the rate, log format, and submission deadline. Here's what every HR team should include and a sample framework to adapt.
8 min read
IRS Accountable Plan Rules for Travel Expenses
Reimbursements under an IRS accountable plan are tax-free for employees. Here's the three-part test your travel expense policy must meet to qualify.
8 min read
How to Set a Per Diem Policy for Your Company
Setting a per diem policy means choosing a rate, defining who qualifies, and establishing the documentation rules. Here's a practical starting point.
8 min read
Per Diem Employee Rights: Are You Entitled?
Most private-sector employees aren't legally entitled to per diem, but some jobs and contracts require it. Here's when and how much you can expect.
8 min read
Travel Expense Reimbursement: A Complete Guide
Travel expense reimbursement covers lodging, meals, mileage and more. This guide explains what qualifies, how to submit, and what stays tax-free.
9 min read
Types of Per Diem Allowances Explained
Per diem comes in two forms: a lodging cap and an M&IE daily amount. Some employers also pay a flat combined stipend. Here's how each type works and is taxed.
8 min read
Mileage Tax Deduction for the Self-Employed
Self-employed workers can deduct business miles on Schedule C at the IRS rate — 72.5¢/mile before July 1, 76¢/mile after. Here's what counts as business use and what records you need.
8 min read
IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rules for Employers
Employers can reimburse business mileage tax-free at the IRS rate under an accountable plan. Here's what to document and when reimbursement becomes taxable.
8 min read
Per Diem Policy Example: A Sample Template
A sample per diem policy covering daily lodging and M&IE limits, the 75% travel-day rule, and the claim submission process your employees should follow.
8 min read
Federal Travel Regulation (FTR): A Practical Guide
Understand the Federal Travel Regulation: who follows it, how it sets per diem limits, and how it differs from the JTR and DSSR.
11 min read
Per Diem Rates 2026: The Full CONUS Table, Explained
See how FY2026 CONUS per diem rates work, when seasonal city rates apply, and how to check the right rate for your trip.
8 min read
Per Diem vs. Mileage Reimbursement: What's the Difference?
Compare per diem and mileage reimbursement, see when each applies, and learn how both can be claimed on one business trip.
7 min read
GSA Per Diem Rates Explained: How CONUS Rates Are Set
Learn how GSA sets CONUS per diem rates, from hotel surveys and non-standard locations to the annual rate cycle.
9 min read
Washington DC Per Diem Rate: A Practical Guide
Check the FY2026 Washington DC per diem area, M&IE allowance and seasonal lodging caps before booking a business trip.
8 min read
Expense Report Software: 7 Features SMBs Need
Compare the seven expense-report features that matter to small businesses, from compliant exports to approval trails.
8 min read
Per Diem in NYC: How New York's Seasonal GSA Rates Work
See how New York City's FY2026 GSA lodging caps vary by season and what the difference means for a business trip.
8 min read
CONUS Per Diem Rates: How the Standard Rate Works
Learn when the GSA standard CONUS per diem rate applies and when a destination has its own non-standard rate.
7 min read
Printable Mileage Log: A Free IRS-Compliant Template
Download a practical mileage-log template and learn the IRS recordkeeping details needed to keep your business miles audit-ready.
7 min read
Are Provided Meals Deducted From Your Per Diem?
See when a provided meal reduces a GSA per diem claim, how meal deductions work, and why incidentals are retained.
7 min read
Best Mileage Tracking Apps: Paid vs Free Tools
Compare major mileage apps on pricing, automatic tracking and exports, then decide whether a free calculator is enough.
10 min read
OCONUS vs. CONUS Per Diem: What's the Difference?
Understand CONUS and OCONUS per diem: which agency sets each rate, why they differ, and where to find the current amount.
8 min read
Mileage Reimbursement 2026: What Employers Need to Know
See the 2026 IRS mileage rate changes and the payroll, policy and recordkeeping actions employers should take.
8 min read
2026 Mileage Rate Changes: What They Mean
Track the 2026 mileage-rate changes, their five-year context, and the effect on employer reimbursements and deductions.
8 min read
FAVR Mileage Reimbursement: An Employer Guide
Learn how FAVR mileage reimbursement works, its IRS conditions, and when it makes sense instead of the standard mileage rate.
10 min read