Meals and Lodging

You cannot deduct from the minimum wage for meals and lodging unless the employee authorized a deduction in writing and actually uses the meals and lodging.

If, as a condition of employment, the employee must live at the place of employment or occupy quarters you own or which are under your control, then you cannot charge rent in excess of the values listed in the following table.

Updated content: The minimum wage order limits the extent to which meals and lodging can be credited against the minimum wage. The meal and lodging credits increased on January 1, 2026, when the new minimum wage became effective.