I need to know if I have to pay taxes on perdium.. If Im a independent contractor and my contracted rate is x amount of dollars and my perdium is x amount of dollars but my employer lumps it all together in one lump sum.. can I be taxed on my perdium?

Salary refers to employees, not contractors.
You owe taxes either way. With a 1099, none are taken out by the employer, so you owe all taxes, including the half of Social Security paid by employers to people getting wages and a W2.

And of course you as a independent contractor, should have all the receipts, records of miliage and more that you use as deductions from your income. So when you traveled, you have meal receipts, you have motel receipts and more, correct ?