I bought TurboTax Deluxe from Costco and now Turbo Tax is trying to charge me $44.99 to e-file my returns and there is no option to decline this.

[Cartic]

Online and Desktop are 2 different separate things.  If you bought the Desktop program but used the Online version you can move your return to your computer and continue and file from the Desktop program without paying for online.  Or you will have to pay for Online and try to get a refund for the  Desktop program.

Did you get the program installed on your computer?  Here's how to move your return to it.
First download the .tax2018 file from the Online version,
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3300420 

Then see, How to Switch to Desktop, 
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3302260 

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW).

[piffkerry]

I need a simpler way to keep from being charged $44.99 for an edition I already bought at Costco

[HeatherPLO]

May I get some additional details?  Are you filing on the Desktop Edition?  It sounds like you are trying to file on the Desktop and the Online version.  

The above post has some great tips on how to proceed without being double charged.