Per Diem: Per diem is a daily allowance for meals and incidental costs while traveling away from home. In trucking it can refer to a carrier-paid allowance or to a tax deduction for meals on the road.
Why it matters to owner operators
It can reduce taxable income for drivers who spend nights away from home, but the rules and rates change. Ask a tax professional what applies to you.
Example
An owner operator keeps a log of nights away from home to support a per diem deduction at tax time.
Related terms
Business & Finance: Questions about invoicing, fees or getting paid on time? Our dispatch team handles invoicing and broker follow-up for the carriers we work with. Talk to our dispatch team or browse the full trucking glossary.
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