Tariff Relief: A Mixed Bag for Retailers and Consumers The recent influx of tariff refund checks from the federal government has created a mixed bag for America's biggest retailers.
The tariffs, imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were struck down by the Supreme Court in February, leading to a windfall for businesses that had been paying them.
As of late July, more than $100 billion has been returned to companies, representing about 60% of the total $166 billion collected under IEEPA. Retailers' approaches to handling this sudden influx of cash vary widely.