Massachusetts Per Diem Allowance

Calculate Massachusetts’s per diem rate based on GSA guidelines to simplify your business travels.

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Home to a world-class hub of technology, education, and biotechnology, Massachusetts is a primary destination for business travel. From the bustling streets of Boston and Cambridge to the scenic Cape and the state's western regions,managing travel expenses effectively is crucial for any organization. 

Per diem, a daily allowance for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses, is a key tool for this purpose. This guide offers a comprehensive look at the per diem rates applicable in Massachusetts, the Commonwealth's important and employee-protective laws, and how you can automate the process for complete compliance.

Massachusetts Per Diem Rates

Per diem rates for official travel in Massachusetts are set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These rates are mandatory for federal employees and serve as a critical benchmark for private companies, especially given Massachusetts's own laws on expense reimbursement. The rates vary significantly, with Boston and the Cape Cod islands having some of the highest in the nation.

For Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), key rates are broken down as follows:

Major Metro Areas 

The state's primary business center has its own designated high-cost rates.

  • Boston & Cambridge (Suffolk & Middlesex Counties):
    • M&IE: $92 per day
    • Lodging: Highly seasonal, with the following rates:
      • $349 per night (October & September)
      • $209 per night (November - February)
      • $291 per night (March - August)
    • The first and last day of travel M&IE rate is $69.00.

Tourist and High-Cost Areas

The world-famous islands off Cape Cod have some of the highest seasonal per diem rates in the country.

  • Martha's Vineyard (Dukes County):
    • M&IE: $92 per day
    • Lodging: Extremely seasonal, with a peak summer rate of $462 per night (June-September) and an off-season rate of $196.
  • Nantucket (Nantucket County):
    • M&IE: $92 per day
    • Lodging: Also extremely seasonal, with a peak summer rate of $471 per night (June-September) and an off-season rate of $175.

Standard CONUS Rate 

For any county in Massachusetts not specifically listed by the GSA—which for FY 2025 includes cities like Springfield (Hampden County)—the standard CONUS rate applies. This rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).

Massachusetts Per Diem Rate Calculator

To find the precise per diem allowance for your trip anywhere in the Commonwealth, our calculator provides instant, accurate results based on the official GSA schedule.

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Your per diem allowance

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Lodging (L)
Meals & Incidentals (M&IE)
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Lodging (L)
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Meals & Incidentals (M&IE)
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*For the first and last day of travel, M&lE spend is limited to 75% of its normal, daily allowance.

Massachusetts GSA Lodging Rates

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Massachusetts Meals and Incidental Rates

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Some Important Massachusetts Per Diem Laws

Massachusetts has some of the strongest employee protection laws in the country regarding wages and expenses, which all private employers must follow.

  • Mandatory Expense Reimbursement: Unlike many other states, Massachusetts law requires employers to reimburse employees for necessary business-related expenses. The law prohibits any deductions from wages for costs that are for the employer's benefit. This is interpreted to mean that if an employee incurs a necessary expense for their job, the employer is legally obligated to cover it.
  • Triple Damages for Violations: The state enforces its wage laws strictly. An employer who fails to pay owed wages or reimburse required expenses can be held liable for triple the amount of the unpaid funds, plus attorney's fees. This makes compliance with reimbursement policies critically important.
  • Minimum Wage: Massachusetts has a high state minimum wage of $15.00 per hour, which provides a strong floor of protection under the federal FLSA.
  • Pay and Recordkeeping: The state has strict rules about pay frequency and requires employers to provide detailed pay stubs and maintain accurate records of hours and pay.

Massachusetts Per Diem Laws vs Federal Law

The legal framework in Massachusetts is unique because both state and federal rules create strong obligations for employers.

Primary Applicability

  • Federal Law (GSA): Mandatory for all U.S. federal government employees on official business in Massachusetts.
  • Massachusetts Law: Mandatory for almost all private-sector employees, requiring employers to reimburse necessary business expenses.

Rate Setting and Usage

  • Federal Law (GSA): The GSA sets specific, non-negotiable per diem rates for various locations in Massachusetts that federal agencies must use.
  • Massachusetts Law: The state does not set its own per diem rates, but it does require reimbursement. Therefore, employers must use a method (like paying actual costs or using a per diem system) that fully covers the employee's necessary expenses. Using the GSA rates is a very common and highly defensible way to meet this legal requirement.

Legal Foundation

  • Federal Law (GSA): A comprehensive regulatory system designed to standardize and control government travel costs.
  • Massachusetts Law: A protective framework ensuring employees are not forced to subsidize their employer’s business operations. Failure to reimburse is treated as unpaid wages with significant penalties.

How Fyle Can Automate Per Diem and Expense Tracking

Given Massachusetts's mandatory reimbursement laws, high costs, and significant penalties for non-compliance, an automated expense management system is an essential tool for any business. Fyle’s platform ensures your company meets its legal obligations while simplifying the process for everyone.

Fyle helps you master Massachusetts per diem and expense tracking:

  • Ensure Full Compliance: With Massachusetts law requiring reimbursement, Fyle helps you create an airtight, accountable plan. It automatically applies the correct GSA rates for any destination, from Boston to Nantucket, ensuring your per diem policy is fair, consistent, and meets legal standards.
  • Automated and Accurate Rate Calculation: Fyle eliminates manual errors by instantly calculating the correct per diem based on travel location and dates, including the complex seasonal rates for tourist areas and the 75% M&IE rule.
  • Effortless Expense Submissions: Empower your employees to report expenses in real-time. A simple photo of a receipt from Fyle’s mobile app or a forwarded email is all it takes to create an expense entry, making compliance easy for your traveling team.
  • Proactive Policy Enforcement: Build your travel policy directly into Fyle. The platform acts as your first line of defense, checking every expense against your rules before submission, preventing out-of-policy spend, and reducing the burden on your finance team.
  • IRS-Compliant Mileage Tracking: For employees driving across the Commonwealth, Fyle’s Google Maps-powered mileage tracker offers an easy and accurate way to log trips, ensuring compliant records for reimbursement.
  • Direct Accounting Integration: Fyle syncs seamlessly with all major accounting software, including NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage Intacct. All approved per diem and travel data flows directly into your general ledger, saving time and ensuring financial accuracy.

With Fyle, you can confidently manage your Massachusetts travel expense process, ensuring you meet your strict legal obligations while providing a modern, hassle-free experience for your employees.

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The content on this page is for informational use. As legal standards and per diem rates are subject to change, users should verify current details with official GSA or government resources. This information does not serve as financial or legal counsel.