Availability of Per Diem Rates for Self-Employed Farmers and Ranchers

Abstract

<p>The issue of whether and to what extent self-employed taxpayers can make use of the federal per diem rates<strong>1 </strong>for lodging, meals and incidental expenses incurred during business travel away from home without the need to produce receipts was brought into focus by an early 2007 Tax Court decision.<strong>2 </strong>The case, <em>Riley v. Commissioner</em>,<strong>3 </strong>was a small Tax Court decision but illustrates some important points for travel expense deductibility.</p>