Why is buying turbotax via turbotax online more expensive than buying turbo tax thru Sam's or Costco?

[xmasbaby0]

The pricing is very different for online TurboTax than the pricing for desktop download that you purchase from Sam's, Costco, etc.  There are quite a few differences between desktop download and online:

Desktop software

Every version has all forms and schedules

Forms mode to see all forms as you work and “what if” feature 

Can e-file up to five federal returns and their associated state returns

If you have more than five federal returns the additional ones can be mailed

Tax file is stored on your own hard drive

Always available even after tax season ends

State e-file fee is an extra fee.   State can be mailed to avoid e-file fee

Desktop is more cost effective for multiple returns for family members, etc.

Desktop software is available from Intuit or from various retailers—prices vary

Only works on full PC or Mac—not on any mobile devices

Desktop --unless you specifically buy federal  Deluxe only from a retailer-- will include the software for one specific state.   You can prepare as many returns for that state as the number of federal returns you prepare.  E-filing state returns is an extra fee which can be avoided by printing and mailing the states.   Additional--other--state software is an additional fee for the software. 

Online TurboTax

Forms and schedules supported vary by which version you use

No Forms mode, but you can “preview” Form 1040 and Schedules 1, 2, or 3 before filing

One return per fee

Separate fees for federal and state returns

Each return needs its own email, account and user ID

Tax file is stored in online account for seven years

Can be used on any device with internet access

[VolvoGirl]

I found this very old post by Turbo Tax Dorothy

Why do some stores sell TurboTax for less?

By law, we are prohibited from setting retail prices; retailers can charge whatever they want to remain competitive.

Although we sell TurboTax to stores at the wholesale price, we cannot dictate the price they charge when they sell TurboTax to you.

If you believe time is money, or if you'd rather not deal with sometimes-crowded stores, you may find that buying direct is worth the few extra dollars. Buying direct ensures that you get TurboTax delivered right to your door (or downloaded to your computer) without any extra effort on your part.

Having said that, if you purchased TurboTax directly from us but later decided to purchase the product locally, you can take advantage of our unconditional, 60-day money-back guarantee.