Does form 1040 line item 10 and 11 conflict with Schedule A's line item 2?

[userjalapenoesteban]

How can you enter a value on 1040 line 11 Adjusted Gross Income when Schedule A line 2 for medical expenses is asking for Adjusted Gross Income? You cannot complete Schedule A line 18 to calculate Total itemized Deductions to determine Adjusted Gross Income. TurboTax will not put me through a live agent. Can anyone help???

[Bsch4477 · Accepted solution]

Your itemized deductions do not determine your AGI but your AGI determines how much of your medical expense is used to add to your other itemized deductions. TurboTax does all of those calculations for you. 

[userjalapenoesteban]

Hello Champ:

Thank you for writing back. Even though TurboTax does the calculation, I'm trying to understand the math.  I'm using Schedule A, not Schedule 1. IRS instructions state Schedule A is still good, but it doesn't mesh with the 1040. In the past, I've always used Schedules A and B. I take it this is no longer valid? I'll download a copy of Schedule 1 and try again. Once I can understand the math, I can plug all the numbers into the TurboTax program. Thanks again for the help. What does "Level 15" mean?

Best regards,

Jalapeno