U.S. Businesses Claim $166B in Tariff Refunds

0:00It's April 20th. From your city to your ears, this is Anchorage News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. U.S. businesses can now chase down $166 billion in refunds from those Trump tariffs the Supreme Court just shot down. The Customs Portal, kicked off Monday, letting importers upload lists of duties they paid under that Emergency Powers Act. Those figure about 330,000 outfits shout out the cash, with refunds hitting accounts in 60 to 90 days. This all stems from the court's 6-3 ruling back in February that Trump's global import taxes went way beyond his authority. A trade court judge then ordered the feds to halt the charges and set up this refund system. Small businesses and some state attorneys general sparked a lawsuit that made it happen. Owners are feeling a wild mix of relief and straight up frustration. Many jacked up prices on stuff like cider cans just to cover the hit, and now the portal

1:00crashed on launch day, leaving folks fuming. Groups like Main Street Alliance say it's progress, but the hoops feel like another drag on already stretched operations. Helps out there though, with free guides from the Liberty Justice Center to nail the paperwork right. They're the ones who fought this to the high court and aren't cashing in on the chaos. Meanwhile, Trump's road out fresh tariffs under a different law, and those same lawyers are back in court battling round two. Bottom line, this refund grind is a win for fairness, but small players still got a hustle through the red tape while watching for the next trade. Shake up, stay sharp out there.