Michigan Per Diem Allowance

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

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As the heart of the American automotive industry and a growing center for technology and research, Michigan is a significant destination for business travel. From the corporate centers of Detroit and Grand Rapids to university towns like Ann Arbor and the state's scenic tourist regions, managing travel expenses effectively is key. 

Per diem, a daily allowance for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses, is the federal standard and a best practice for private businesses. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Michigan's per diem rates, important state laws affecting employers, and how to automate the reimbursement process.

Michigan Per Diem Rates

Per diem rates for official travel in Michigan are set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These federal rates are mandatory for government employees and serve as a common benchmark for private companies. The rates vary by location, with higher rates in major metro areas and popular tourist destinations.

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

Major Metro Areas 

Michigan's primary business and university centers have their own specific Non-Standard Area (NSA) rates.

  • Detroit (Wayne County):
    • M&IE: $74 per day
    • Lodging: A flat rate of $152 per night.
    • The first and last day of travel M&IE rate is $55.50.
  • Ann Arbor (Washtenaw County):
    • M&IE: $80 per day
    • Lodging: Seasonal, with a rate of $146 per night (March-August) and $125 per night for all other months.
  • Grand Rapids (Kent County):
    • M&IE: $80 per day
    • Lodging: A flat rate of $119 per night.

Tourist and High-Cost Areas 

Popular tourist destinations in Michigan have unique, highly seasonal rates.

  • Mackinac Island (Mackinac County):
    • M&IE: $86 per day
    • Lodging: Seasonal, with a peak summer rate of $195 per night (July-August) and a rate of $120 per nightfor the rest of the year.

Standard CONUS Rate 

For any county in Michigan not specifically listed by the GSA, the standard CONUS rate applies. For FY 2025, this rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).

Michigan Per Diem Rate Calculator

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

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Your per diem allowance

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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.

Michigan GSA Lodging Rates

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Michigan Meals and Incidental Rates

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Some Important Michigan Per Diem Laws

For private employers, Michigan's legal framework regarding expense reimbursement is guided by strong wage protection laws rather than a direct reimbursement mandate.

  • No State Law Mandating Expense Reimbursement: Michigan law does not have a statute that requires private companies to reimburse employees for business-related expenses. The decision to use a per diem system is based on the employer's internal policy.
  • Strict Rules on Wage Deductions (Public Act 390): This is the key protection for employees in Michigan. The law prohibits employers from making any deduction from an employee's wages without their full, free, and written consent. Any deduction that is for the employer's benefit cannot reduce the employee's gross wages below the state minimum wage. This makes it very difficult for an employer to legally force an employee to cover business costs out of their own pay.
  • Minimum Wage: Michigan's minimum wage provides a strong floor of protection. As of January 1, 2025, the rate will be $10.56 per hour, and it is scheduled to increase again to $12.48 per hour on February 21, 2025. Unreimbursed business expenses cannot cause an employee's effective pay to fall below this rate.

Michigan Per Diem Laws vs Federal Law

The per diem framework for a private company employee in Michigan differs from the GSA system that governs federal employees.

Primary Applicability

  • Federal Law (GSA): Mandatory for all U.S. federal government employees on official business in Michigan.
  • Michigan Law: Does not set per diem rates but provides strong protections against wage deductions (Public Act 390), which effectively prevents employers from making employees pay for business expenses out of their wages.

Rate Setting and Usage

  • Federal Law (GSA): The GSA sets specific, non-negotiable per diem rates for various locations in Michigan that federal agencies must use.
  • Michigan Law: The state does not set or regulate per diem rates. Private companies can create their own reimbursement policies. Using GSA rates is a common and fair business practice, but not a legal requirement.

Legal Foundation

  • Federal Law (GSA): A comprehensive regulatory system designed to standardize and control government travel costs.
  • Michigan Law: Focuses on protecting an employee's earned wages from unauthorized deductions. The legal principle is that an employee's paycheck is for their labor, not for subsidizing the employer's operating costs.

How Fyle Can Automate Per Diem and Expense Tracking

Navigating Michigan's varied per diem rates and its strict wage deduction laws requires a precise and compliant expense management system. Fyle’s intelligent platform is designed to automate this process, protecting your business and simplifying travel for your employees.

Fyle helps you master Michigan per diem and expense tracking:

  • Automated and Accurate Rate Calculation: Fyle automatically applies the correct GSA per diem rates for any destination in Michigan, from Detroit to Mackinac Island. It instantly handles seasonal rate changes and the 75% M&IE rule, eliminating manual work and ensuring accuracy.
  • Enforce Your Company Policy: With Michigan's laws focused on wage protection, having a clear and consistently enforced reimbursement policy is crucial. Fyle allows you to build your specific rules directly into the workflow, ensuring every expense is compliant before submission.
  • A Seamless Employee Experience: Make expense reporting effortless. Employees can instantly submit expenses with a photo of a receipt from Fyle’s mobile app or by forwarding a receipt from their email, allowing them to focus on their work, not paperwork.
  • Proactive Compliance Engine: Fyle’s platform checks every expense against your policies before it gets submitted. This prevents out-of-policy spend and frees your finance team from tedious manual reviews.
  • IRS-Compliant Mileage Tracking: For employees driving across the state, 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 Michigan travel expense process, ensuring you adhere to your internal policies and state law 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.