Business Office - Reimbursement for Meals & Incidentals Per Diems

E-Reimbursement System

Travelers are reimbursed for meal and incidental expenses (M&IE) while in travel status requiring an overnight stay. M&IE are reimbursed on a per diem basis; travelers are not reimbursed for actual costs. Travelers cannot claim M&IE for other travelers.

Per Diem Help Sheet -This tip sheet will show you how to enter a Meal and Incidental Per Diem claim on an expense report.

Meals & Incidentals Per Diem reimbursement requirements

• Receipts

  • No receipts required for regular meals when traveling.
  • They ARE required for any hosted meals; i.e. business event, interview dinners, etc.

• Day trips

  • Day trips (no overnight lodging) = $15/day even if a meal was provided. This is a tax reportable reimbursement.

• Overnight

  • The M&IE per diem rate varies from location-to-location and sometimes can vary from month-to-month. 
    • Use UW TravelWise Calculator to calculate your per diem allowance.
  • First and last days of travel
    • 75% of total based on location

• Provided meals

  • Any meals provided by host/conference will be deducted from your daily meal per diem.
  • Travelers with an ADA exemption for a medical dietary need (e.g. Celiac disease/food allergies) can be reimbursed for provided meals if the provided meals do not meet their dietary restriction. Reference the ADA exemption on the reimbursement request.
  • Travelers will not be reimbursed for provided meals that do not comply with their voluntary dietary preference (e.g. vegan/vegetarian).

• Incidentals

  • Per Diem reimbursement includes $5/day for incidentals.
  • Even if all meals are provided, you can still get this $5/day.
  • No receipts required.
  • Examples:
    • Tips for restaurant staff, porters, baggage handlers, hotel housekeeping or other service staff, valets, train or ship services staff, etc.
    • Transportation between places of lodging or business to obtain meals.
    • Phone calls (business or personal)
    • Internet fees (personal)
    • Laundry, dry cleaning or pressing of clothing
    • Bottled water
    • Mailing and other expense associated with filing expense reimbursement claims

  • The incidental rate is reimbursable regardless if any meals are provided.  Incidental items are only reimbursable through an M&IE reimbursement; they are not directly reimbursable.

If you have a question, please refer to UW Meal & Incidental Policies or contact the Business office.