Whilst working away from home how much overnight expenses should you get?

Answer 1

Perhaps the IRS guide may help you...

A taxpayer who travels out of town, for business purposes, and has to stay overnight and/or rest in order to work can either deduct actual expenses or a per diem allowance that depends on the locality where he/she stays, and, perhaps, the time of year when he/she travels. The overnight allowance may range between $99 to $246.


Phil
http://www.phillipfostercpa.com/tax.html

Answer 2

The term is "customary and reasonable."

By this, you stay in a nice hotel, but no necessarily the most expensive.
A beer with dinner should be ok, but a night of drinking. Gifts for those at home, no.

Some co's give you a flat amt. If you go over, you pay, if under, you keep. Some co's get billed direct, you don't even get involved.

Use it, don't abuse it.

Answer 3

There are a lot of ifs and buts on this. Accommodation (which is a benefit in employment) can be tax-free if it is a requirement of the employment. Your best bet is to contact tax office for a ruling, as a dispensation may be able to be given to employer, which means benefit will be tax-free to employees.

Answer 4

It changes from person to person !