South Lake Tahoe, CA Per Diem Rates (FY2026)
The GSA per diem rate for South Lake Tahoe, California (El Dorado County) for fiscal year 2026 is $86/day M&IE plus a lodging cap of $141–$247/night depending on the month. Here is the full breakdown — and how much of your M&IE you keep.
M&IE is a flat daily allowance — spend less than this and the rest is yours to keep, tax-free and receipt-free. First and last travel days are paid at 75%.
Lodging: reimbursed at actual cost up to $141–$247/night — capped, no upside.
Monthly lodging cap
M&IE breakdown
- Full travel day: $86
- First & last calendar day of travel (75%): $64.5
M&IE covers meals and incidental expenses. It is paid as a flat daily amount, so if you spend less than $86 on a given day, the difference is yours to keep. If a meal is furnished (for example, a conference-provided lunch), that meal's portion is deducted from the daily M&IE.
Other California per diem rates
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), fiscal year 2026. Rates effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026. Lodging excludes taxes; many government travelers are exempt from lodging tax. Not official travel guidance — see our methodology.