Per Diem AtlasU.S. per diem rate directory

Independent reference using GSA dataFY2026 & FY2027 · Contiguous United States

Montana · GSA rate directory

Helena, Montana per diem rates

Official GSA lodging ceilings, meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and county coverage for Helena. FY2027 runs Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027; select the fiscal year that matches your travel dates.

FY2027 at a glance

Lodging ceiling per night
$140Same rate all year, before lodging taxes
Meals & incidentals (M&IE)
$74 per full dayBreakfast $18.00 · lunch $20.00 · dinner $31.00 · incidentals $5.00
First & last day of travel
$55.5075% of $74, before provided-meal deductions
Change from FY2026
Peak lodging +$8$132 → $140 at the annual peak; lowest month +$8; M&IE no change
IRS high-low method (Notice 2026-60)
Not listed: $230The low rate applies all year under this employer method. About IRS high-low rates

Helena per diem, FY2027

Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Lodging ceiling / night$140One rate throughout the fiscal year
Full-day M&IE$74Meals and incidental expenses
First & last day M&IE$55.5075%, before provided-meal deductions

County and location coverage

Lewis and Clark

Use the location of the work activity to determine the rate. A ZIP match is a starting point; confirm the full locality definition. How to select a locality.

Lodging rate periods

The $140 nightly ceiling applies throughout FY2027. Lodging taxes are excluded.

Consecutive periods with the same lodging ceiling. Dates are inclusive.
FromThroughLodging / night
$140

Monthly lodging per diem, FY2027

Each bar is the maximum room rate before lodging taxes. M&IE is $74 throughout this fiscal year.

$140
Oct
$140
Nov
$140
Dec
$140
Jan
$140
Feb
$140
Mar
$140
Apr
$140
May
$140
Jun
$140
Jul
$140
Aug
$140
Sep
The lodging ceiling is $140 in every month.
Full-day rates, FY2027. Travel-day meals are reduced separately.
MonthLodging / nightM&IE / dayCombined ceiling*Lodging vs FY2026
Oct 2026$140$74$214+$8
Nov 2026$140$74$214+$8
Dec 2026$140$74$214+$8
Jan 2027$140$74$214+$8
Feb 2027$140$74$214+$8
Mar 2027$140$74$214+$8
Apr 2027$140$74$214+$8
May 2027$140$74$214+$8
Jun 2027$140$74$214+$8
Jul 2027$140$74$214+$8
Aug 2027$140$74$214+$8
Sep 2027$140$74$214+$8

*Adding the two rates is a planning reference. Unused lodging allowance cannot be transferred to meals. Actual lodging reimbursement depends on eligible costs.

M&IE breakdown: inside the $74 meal allowance

GSA allocation of the full-day meals and incidental expenses allowance.
BreakfastLunchDinnerIncidentals
$18.00$20.00$31.00$5.00

The first and last travel day allowance is $55.50 before meal deductions. Government-provided meals and meals included in a registration fee generally reduce it by the full published meal allocation. Complimentary hotel breakfasts and common-carrier meals do not. View every meal tier and the deduction rules.

Helena trip cost by season, FY2027

Planning ceilings for a single-destination trip: every night at that period’s lodging ceiling, $55.50 M&IE on the first and last days and $74 on each full day in between. Lodging taxes, transport and provided-meal deductions are excluded.

Lodging ceiling plus M&IE, before deductions
Travel periodLodging / night3 days, 2 nights5 days, 4 nights
– $140$465.00$893.00

Example: 2 × $140 + $55.50 + $74 + $55.50 = $465.00. A stay that crosses a period boundary uses each night’s own ceiling.

Per diem calculator for Helena

Enter your dates to get a day-by-day breakdown with seasonal nights, 75% travel days, provided meals and your hotel quote. Opens the trip calculator.

Compare localities

Official record and source

Published locality
Helena
GSA DestinationID
426
Fiscal-year validity
–
Workbook row
375 (worksheet row numbers, including headings)
Source retrieved
Oct 1, 2026

A later GSA revision can supersede this snapshot. Source files, checksums and full directory downloads · Import and verification method.

Helena per diem, FY2026

Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Lodging ceiling / night$132One rate throughout the fiscal year
Full-day M&IE$74Meals and incidental expenses
First & last day M&IE$55.5075%, before provided-meal deductions

County and location coverage

Lewis and Clark

Use the location of the work activity to determine the rate. A ZIP match is a starting point; confirm the full locality definition. How to select a locality.

Lodging rate periods

The $132 nightly ceiling applies throughout FY2026. Lodging taxes are excluded.

Consecutive periods with the same lodging ceiling. Dates are inclusive.
FromThroughLodging / night
$132

Monthly lodging per diem, FY2026

Each bar is the maximum room rate before lodging taxes. M&IE is $74 throughout this fiscal year.

$132
Oct
$132
Nov
$132
Dec
$132
Jan
$132
Feb
$132
Mar
$132
Apr
$132
May
$132
Jun
$132
Jul
$132
Aug
$132
Sep
The lodging ceiling is $132 in every month.
Full-day rates, FY2026. Travel-day meals are reduced separately.
MonthLodging / nightM&IE / dayCombined ceiling*Lodging vs FY2027
Oct 2025$132$74$206−$8
Nov 2025$132$74$206−$8
Dec 2025$132$74$206−$8
Jan 2026$132$74$206−$8
Feb 2026$132$74$206−$8
Mar 2026$132$74$206−$8
Apr 2026$132$74$206−$8
May 2026$132$74$206−$8
Jun 2026$132$74$206−$8
Jul 2026$132$74$206−$8
Aug 2026$132$74$206−$8
Sep 2026$132$74$206−$8

*Adding the two rates is a planning reference. Unused lodging allowance cannot be transferred to meals. Actual lodging reimbursement depends on eligible costs.

M&IE breakdown: inside the $74 meal allowance

GSA allocation of the full-day meals and incidental expenses allowance.
BreakfastLunchDinnerIncidentals
$18.00$20.00$31.00$5.00

The first and last travel day allowance is $55.50 before meal deductions. Government-provided meals and meals included in a registration fee generally reduce it by the full published meal allocation. Complimentary hotel breakfasts and common-carrier meals do not. View every meal tier and the deduction rules.

Helena trip cost by season, FY2026

Planning ceilings for a single-destination trip: every night at that period’s lodging ceiling, $55.50 M&IE on the first and last days and $74 on each full day in between. Lodging taxes, transport and provided-meal deductions are excluded.

Lodging ceiling plus M&IE, before deductions
Travel periodLodging / night3 days, 2 nights5 days, 4 nights
– $132$449.00$861.00

Example: 2 × $132 + $55.50 + $74 + $55.50 = $449.00. A stay that crosses a period boundary uses each night’s own ceiling.

Per diem calculator for Helena

Enter your dates to get a day-by-day breakdown with seasonal nights, 75% travel days, provided meals and your hotel quote. Opens the trip calculator.

Compare localities

Official record and source

Published locality
Helena
GSA DestinationID
426
Fiscal-year validity
–
Workbook row
375 (worksheet row numbers, including headings)
Source retrieved
Oct 1, 2026

A later GSA revision can supersede this snapshot. Source files, checksums and full directory downloads · Import and verification method.

Helena per diem: common questions

Does the $140 lodging rate include hotel tax?

No. GSA lodging ceilings for the contiguous United States exclude lodging taxes, which are claimed separately where your policy allows. Whether a traveler can avoid Montana hotel taxes depends on the state’s rules and the payment account. Montana hotel tax guidance and forms.

What if Helena hotels cost more than $140 a night?

The ceiling limits ordinary lodging reimbursement; it is not a promise that rooms are available at that price. Federal travelers may need advance approval for actual expenses above the rate. When actual expenses can be approved.

How much is the Helena per diem for one full day?

In FY2027, up to $140 for the hotel night, depending on the month, plus $74 for meals and incidentals. On the first and last travel days the M&IE is $55.50.

Is a Helena per diem taxable?

For employees paid under an accountable plan, an allowance up to the federal rate is generally not wages; any excess is. Employers using the IRS high-low method use the $230 low rate for Helena. Per diem and taxes.