when is per diem taxable income
The IRS treats a per diem payment as a reimbursement for business expenses. As such, the amount is not taxable income, as long as the per diem does not exceed the actual expenses incurred. Employees are expected by IRS rules to keep track of itemized expenses and return any excess per diem payment to the employer, otherwise the excess is reported as wages on the W-2, and taxed as income.