Tariffs cost American shoppers. They're unlikely to get that money back

"And if you do, it'll be pennies on the dollar. The roughly $180 billion collected under the struck-down tariffs, according to an estimate by Goldman Sachs, was typically paid for directly by businesses, and indirectly by consumers through higher prices. Because those companies often paid the actual customs bill, any refund from the federal government would go to them."

"Shapiro said when and if those businesses get a refund, some will pass along savings to consumers, but others will not. They'll just take it as a gain. President Trump suggested the question of whether the government has to refund those tariffs could be tied up in lawsuits for the next two years."

"The tariff revenue isn't held in its own special account. When collected, it goes into the country's general fund. The U.S. Treasury could send out checks, but companies would still have a claim on their refunds. In that scenario, tariff refunds could be counted twice."

The Supreme Court ruled emergency tariffs illegal, prompting businesses to seek refunds of approximately $180 billion collected. While companies paid the tariffs directly to customs, consumers paid indirectly through elevated prices. Refunds will go primarily to businesses, with consumers unlikely to receive meaningful reimbursements. Even if companies receive refunds, many may retain the savings rather than pass them to shoppers. Legal disputes could delay refunds for years. Some Democratic leaders propose direct government checks to consumers, but logistical challenges exist since tariff revenue enters the general fund rather than a dedicated account, creating potential double-counting issues.

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