The amount is paid towards meeting laundry, Ironing, daily food expenses & other daily expenses.
My view is that if an employee stays for 10 days, the amount of per diem will be $500 ($50*10). He does not submit bills as it is not required from company's travel policy point of view. Hence, per diem should be now (after FBT is abolished) taxed in the hands of employee as his income.
But now the question arises that the employees who were on site in month of August 2009 and came back to india in the same month, will their per diem be taxable and in month of January 2010? They will revolt as they were not informed, about tax deduction. They will be taking very less salary at home in month of January. Please submit your views.