Definition
Per diem (Latin: "per day") is a fixed daily allowance employers pay for meals, lodging, and incidental expenses when employees travel away from home on business — instead of reimbursing each receipt line-by-line.
Per diem vs actual expense
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Per diem | Simple admin, predictable budget | May over/under pay vs receipts |
| Actual expense | Precise reimbursement | Receipt burden, audit volume |
Field sales often blend: per diem for meals when overnighting, actual mileage via GPS for driving.
US federal context
IRS and GSA publish per diem rate tables by locality. Employers using IRS per diem must follow accountable plan rules.
Field ops policy tips
1. Define "away from home" for day-trip vs overnight reps
2. Separate per diem from mileage (different substantiation)
3. Link per diem claims to verified travel sessions
expense intelligence 4. Configure limits in
Scootee connection
Scootee supports per diem categories alongside mileage and receipt capture in one mobile workflow.
Per diem management software · [Workforce management](/glossary/workforce-management/)