This is interesting. Comparing Schedule A and line 8a and 17 in both scenarios.
8a - The number “home mortgage interest and points reported to you in Form 1098. See instructions if limited”. This number is higher when just entering the primary loan. Therefore line 17 “total itemized deductions” is higher.
8a - The number “home mortgage internet and points reported to you in Form 1098. See instructions if limited”. This number is lower when entering both primary loan + heloc loan. Therefore line 17 “total itemized deductions” is lower.
So when you add more interest loans 1098, the refund doesn’t appear to stay flat. As you add more interest deductions, the home mortgage interest reported actually DECREASES and lowers your itemized deductions. Doesn’t really make sense to me.
