If I know in advance that I'm going to opt for the 2024 standard deduction of $29,200 instead of itemizing, must I still report itemized entries on Schedule A first? How can I avoid spending the time and effort in itemizing and simply tell Turbo Tax to use the standard deduction?
You can just skip entering itemized deductions if you want to. You are not required to enter them. The software will use your standard deduction by default if you do not enter enough itemized deductions to exceed your standard deduction.
But you might want to enter them if you can itemize on your state return.