Per diem (Latin for "per day" or "for each day") or daily allowance is a specific amount of money that an organization gives an individual, typically an employee, per day to cover living expenses when travelling on the employer's business. A per diem payment can cover part or all of the expenses incurred. For example, it may include an accommodation allowance or it may only cover meals (with actual accommodation costs reimbursed separately or be prepaid). Travel, particularly by motor vehicles, is often reimbursed at a rate determined only by distance travelled, e.g., the US business mileage reimbursement rate. Fixed per diem (and per mile) rates eliminate the need for employees to prepare, and employers to scrutinise, a detailed expense report with supporting receipts to document amounts spent while travelling on business. Instead, employers pay employees a standard daily rate without regard to actual expenditure. In some countries, the income tax code specifies a maximum daily allowance: although an employer may pay a higher rate, the excess is subject to income tax. United Kingdom Accommodation and subsistence (meals) payments paid as fixed daily amounts are described as "scale rate expenses payments" by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). HMRC guidance does not use the term "per diem", but it is used by some organisations. HMRC allows scale rate expenses payments for income tax purposes for travel within the UK, and allows a dispensation for such payments for travel abroad. United States U.S. companies and organizations use the per diem rate guide published by the General Services Administration which provides rates for a number of cities in the Continental United States. For locations in the US outside the continental US, including Alaska, Hawaii and the US territories and possessions, per Diem rates are published by the Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee (also known as the Per Diem Committee or PDTATAC). For all foreign locations, per Diem rates are established by the Department of State. Per diem is understood to include the additional expenses incurred living away from home—basically the need to have two residences. The GSA establishes per diem rates within the Continental United States for hotels "based upon contractor-provided average daily rate (ADR) data of fire-safe properties in the local lodging industry"; this means that per diem varies depending on the location of the hotel—for instance, New York City has a higher rate than Gadsden, Alabama. To qualify for