After you have figured your adjusted gross income, you are ready to subtract the deductions used to figure taxable income.
You can subtract either
the standard deduction or itemized deductions. Itemized deductions are deductions for certain expenses that are listed on
Schedule A (Form 1040). The
ten chapters in this part discuss the standard deduction, each itemized deduction, and the limit on some of your itemized
deductions if your adjusted
gross income exceeds certain amounts. See chapter 22 for the factors to consider when deciding whether to subtract the standard
deduction or itemized
deductions. Figure 2, Finding Schedule A Information in Publication 17, below, shows you where the items found on Schedule A are discussed
in this publication.