Are per Diems Wages?
The standard per diem rate. For any location that doesn’t have a specified rate on the GSA’s per diem rate website, a standard per diem rate of $151 ($55 for M&IE and $96 for lodging) applies. This standard per diem rate covers most of the CONUS (~2,600 counties).
Do you have to report per diem as taxable income?
But any amount you give above the federal rate is considered taxable for the employee. And if you choose to provide a set amount and don’t require an expense report—which allows your employee to keep any excess—the entire per diem becomes taxable income to your employee.
