Indicate tax return work equipment + flat rate?

I worked full-time for the first time in 2020 and am currently working on my tax return. I'm a bit confused because I read everywhere that on average you get back 1000 euro. But I don't even get charged that much - so be it.

My question:

I use the wage tax compact page and the flat rates are already given there. Can I state the flat rate of 110 euro for work equipment and also specify the purchase of a laptop (400 euro) so that I deduct a total of 510 euro for work equipment?

Or can you only apply the flat rate if you don't specify anything else?

I look forward to your answers - tips, too.

You will automatically receive the flat rate, everything above has a positive effect. How much you get back depends on how much you can sell.

But that wasn't my question now.

Of course, the average is of little use to you. It just results from the fact that some get more, some less. Others have to pay extra. This depends on the individual circumstances of the individual.

Actually, it is not intended that additional expenses are recognized in addition to the flat rate. But I always do it that way and then leave the tax office to change it. I then enter lump sum (pens, paper, etc.) with 110 euro under work equipment in one line and all other larger items for which I then also have receipts in other lines.

Sure, state everything additionally, travel expenses, laptop, specialist books, training.

These are all advertising expenses. You can either use the lump sum 1,000 euro or your actual expenses if they are higher than 1,000 euro. Specifying flat-rate and actual costs at the same time is not recognized.

In addition to your computer and the 110 euro, whatever they are for, you can possibly pay for travel costs of 30 ct per km one way x working days or receipts for public transport, cleaning of work-specific work clothes, account management fees, cell phone proportionately if you have to be available for work, 50 % private accident insurance, 50% private liability insurance, application costs, specialist magazines, additional expenses for changing activities, etc. Etc. Etc. Some can be deducted with the respective lump sum, others only with appropriate evidence.

That you should get back an average of 1,000 euro, I think is very high, the average for employees should be around 300 - 400 euro… But as I said, the value is valued and depends in each case on the individual case.

There's no flat rate for work equipment. However, 110 euro are often accepted without an examination. But they must actually have occurred.

Even if you state 510 euro for work equipment, you must have spent this 510 euro on work equipment.

If these are your only income-related expenses, they won't affect you anyway. With advertising expenses you have a flat rate of 1,000 euro anyway.