Hello there -

Client gets paid for freelance services for event planning, etc., CONUS and OCONUS. The companies pay for her lodging, thus she does not incur any expense. I believe the amount is included in her 1099-MISC.

Prior year CPA claimed a deduction calculated as a per diem on Schedule C line 24a. I do not agree with this, as I've read you can only claim M&E via per diem, whereas you have to substantiate actual costs for lodging, for which she had none.

Is my thinking correct? I'm even more concerned knowing the prior CPA claimed almost $20K in per diem travel in prior year returns, where if I'm correct there will be none this year creating large variances.

Thanks.