Yes, you can skip entering your deductions for Schedule A. Many people will not have enough itemized deductions this year to itemize, and will just be getting their new higher standard deduction.
One thing to consider, however, is that some of those deductions could make a difference on a state return even if they do not affect your federal return. Information from your federal return flows to your state return, so it might not be a bad idea to go ahead and enter them anyway.
How exactly do you skip itemized deductions reporting on Turbo Tax, so that you can go directly to standard deduction? Do you merely NOT enter anything at all in the Federal "deductions" section, and just go onto the next section? I definitely do not want to do itemized deductions and realize this effects the state return. The only section on TT Premier that I have completed sofar is the Wages and Income section. Please advise by telling me how to proceed and thanks!
Yes, if know you are going to take the Standard Deduction you can skip putting in the information in the Deduction and Credit Section.
You may want to review the Deduction and Credit section for other items that you qualify for such as Child Care Credit, IRA Contributions, etc. that are not specifically part of the Itemized Deductions.