# Per Diem

<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A per-diem is a flat rate you get each day to cover living expenses. Per-diem is standard when a project or production has you working outside of your typical geographic area, and the things a per-diem are meant to cover aren’t included already. Per-diem rates are typically between $50 and $75. You can use per-diem money however you want, but generally they cover expenses for being away from home. You do not need to disclose how you use a per-diem. Whatever you don’t spend is yours to keep. </span>

Per-diems show up as a tax-exempt addition to your pay-check or are given to you separately on a check or in cash. This rate is untaxed as long as it falls below the federal standard ($79 in 2024).

<table class="align-left" id="bkmrk-example-uses-of-per-"><colgroup><col></col><col style="width: 50%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0px; border-style: none;">Example Uses of Per-Diem:

- Meals or Snacks at: Restaurants, Cafes, Bars
- Groceries
- Emergency Laundry
- Emergency Clothes
- Pharmacy things

</td><td style="padding: 0px; border-style: none;">Per-Diems do not cover expenses that should be covered separately or reimbursed by your client (aka “covered by the job”):

- Flights
- Taxis
- Luggage
- Shipping
- Tools
- Equipment
- Client Dinners
- Hospital Costs

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are on a job and you are in a position where something that you need exceeds a normal per-diem allocation – say for example, you’re working in a nightclub on an island and the only meal options are $90 sandwiches, then you need to address this with your client. A quick text that says “the only meals here exceed per diem, I need to be reimbursed” will cover you, unless your client is not-very-nice. In my experience, even the worst clients will cover these kinds of things (“you should try the ceviche!”). It’s an understanding. </span>