IRS Publication 15 — Employer's Tax Guide (Circular E)

rates established by the federal government. The standard mileage rate for auto expenses is provided in Pub. 15-B.

The government per diem rates for meals and lodging in the continental United States can be found by going to the U.S. General Services Administration website at GSA.gov/PerDiemRates. Other than the amount of these expenses, your employees’ business expenses must be substantiated (for example, the business purpose of the travel or the number of business miles driven). For information on substantiation methods, see Pub. 463, Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses.

If the per diem or allowance paid exceeds the amounts substantiated, you must report the excess amount as wages. This excess amount is subject to income tax withholding and payment of social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes. Show the amount equal to the substantiated amount (that is, the nontaxable portion) in box 12 of Form W-2 using code “L.” Employers in Puerto Rico report the amount in box 12 (no code needed).

Wages not paid in money. If in the course of your trade or business you pay your employees in a medium that is neither cash nor a readily negotiable instrument, such as a check, you’re said to pay them “in kind.” Payments in kind may be in the form of goods, lodging, food, clothing, or services. Generally, the FMV of such payments at the time they’re provided is subject to federal income tax withholding and social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes. However, noncash payments for household work, agricultural labor, and service not in the employer’s trade or business are exempt from social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes. Withhold income tax on these payments only if you and the employee agree to do so. Nonetheless, noncash payments for agricultural labor, such as commodity wages, are treated as cash payments subject to employment taxes if the substance of the transaction is a cash payment. See Noncash wages, including commodity wages, paid to farmworkers , earlier in this section, for more information.

Meals and lodging. The value of meals isn’t taxable income and isn’t subject to federal income tax withholding and social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes if the meals are furnished for the employer’s convenience and on the employer’s premises. The value of lodging isn’t subject to federal income tax withholding and social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes if the lodging is furnished for the employer’s convenience, on the employer’s premises, and as a condition of employment. “For the convenience of the employer” means you have a substantial business reason for providing the meals and lodging other than to provide additional compensation to the employee. For example, meals you provide at the place of work so that an employee is available for emergencies during their lunch period are generally considered to be for your convenience. You must be able to show these emergency calls have occurred or can reasonably be expected to occur, and that the calls have resulted, or will result, in you calling on your employees to perform their jobs during their meal period.