The U.S. government is launching an online portal called CAPE, allowing businesses to request refunds for tariffs deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. These tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by President Trump, were ruled unlawful, potentially obligating the government to refund up to $175 billion. The portal, managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will enable companies to submit claims for these refunds. However, the process places the responsibility on importers to apply for refunds, which are limited to certain tariffs. As of early April, over 56,000 importers had registered for refunds, with a significant portion of the $127 billion in eligible payments expected to be processed. While the portal’s launch is seen as progress, small business advocates argue that the refund process should be simpler and more accessible.
QUESTION: How might the complexity of the refund process impact small businesses compared to larger corporations?
Trump admin launches tariff refund portal. Here’s what to know.
