IEEPA Tariff Refund Lawsuits: 2026 Update, Consumer Rights and How to File

In February 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were illegal, removing the basis for billions of dollars in import duties.

Consumers and small businesses paid these costs at checkout and throughout the supply chain. Now, importers and retailers are set to receive government refunds for those IEEPA-based charges.

Since the Supreme Court’s ruling, people have been filing lawsuits against large companies in various states, arguing that shoppers deserve a share of the money retailers receive from the government.

A Federal Reserve study found that American businesses and consumers paid nearly 90% of extra IEEPA costs. The nonprofit Tax Foundation estimates tariffs raised the average family’s tax expenses by about $1,000 in 2025 and could increase tax spending by as much as $700 in 2026. The Court’s decision did not quickly eliminate these costs or change choices businesses had already made.

Consumer class-action lawsuits are being filed, arguing that companies should not keep both higher prices and government refunds.

The IEEPA tariffs were import taxes imposed in 2025 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). They started in February of that year and soon applied to many imported products.

These tariffs made goods more expensive before they reached consumers, retailers and small businesses in the U.S.

In February 2026, the Supreme Court held that the president lacked the authority to impose these tariffs, making them unlawful from the start. Because of this decision, there is now a chance of large refunds, since nearly $166 billion has already been collected.

How Much Did These Tariffs Cost Consumers?

Both government and independent sources estimate that American consumers paid hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs during 2025 and early 2026. The $166 billion the government collected can have a ripple effect on prices throughout the supply chain, from importers to retailers to what consumers eventually pay.

The Congressional Joint Economic Committee Minority estimated that consumers paid over $231 billion in tariffs from February 2025 to January 2026, amounting to about $1,745 per family.

The Tax Foundation separately estimated that tariffs raised costs by about $1,000 per household in 2025 and an additional $600 in 2026.

Consumers are filing IEEPA tariff refund lawsuits to exercise their legal rights to consumer protection.

Many large retailers are set to receive large refunds from the government for IEEPA tariffs, even though regular people and small businesses paid higher prices. Tariff refund lawsuits claim this is unfair because retailers raised prices due to the tariffs, kept the extra money, and may now also get full refunds from the government.

Some of the biggest companies, like Walmart and Target, could get billions of dollars back.

Who Has Been Sued?

Major retailers and importers that passed on their tariff costs to consumers are the target of lawsuits. They now face a series of class-action lawsuits in multiple state and federal courts. The lawsuits have targeted Costco, FedEx, UPS and other companies.

This indicates a nationwide trend affecting various industries, such as apparel, electronics, groceries and home improvement, highlighting that no sector is immune to these claims.

What Are the Lawsuits Claiming?

Tariff refund lawsuits allege that certain companies raised consumer prices due to IEEPA tariffs and later received government refunds for those duties.

Plaintiffs argue that customers who paid inflated prices are entitled to a share of the refunds under doctrines such as unjust enrichment, when someone unfairly gets money or benefits from someone else. For example, companies are issuing refunds even though consumers have already paid the higher costs of tariffs.

Many complaints also cite violations of state consumer protection laws and assert that companies should not retain the full benefits from tariffs that the Supreme Court declared illegal and the administration promised to refund.

You might have a claim if you bought imported goods between roughly February 2025 and February 24, 2026, and the seller or retailer increased prices because of the IEEPA tariffs.

This includes people who noticed tariff-related surcharges or price notices, as well as anyone who bought from companies now receiving government tariff refunds. Small businesses that purchased imported inventory during this time may also qualify.

Eligibility rules are still changing as the lawsuit develops. If you think your purchases might qualify, it’s a good idea to get a legal review.

What Documentation May Help Your Claim?

Keeping track of what you spent and what you bought could strengthen your case. Collect any invoices and receipts for goods you purchased that were affected by the IEEPA tariffs.

Consumer Notice partners with leading consumer protection attorneys and law firms throughout the United States. They can provide you with a free case review to see if you qualify for an IEEPA tariff lawsuit. There’s no obligation to go through with a lawsuit, but you will not have to pay any fees unless they win your case.

The IEEPA tariff refund process helps big companies that bring goods into the country, but not regular shoppers. The official website for refunds is made for businesses, not for families who buy their products in stores.

Over 330,000 companies can get refunds totaling about $166 billion, plus interest. But there is no simple way for shoppers to get back the extra money they paid because of the higher prices tariffs caused.

At least 18 state attorneys general, including those from New York, Oregon, Virginia and North Carolina, have asked Congress to require companies to share these refunds with consumers, but there is no law requiring them to do so. This is why many people have started lawsuits, saying it is unfair that companies get refunds while regular people don’t.

In early 2025, President Donald Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose new tariffs on imported goods, raising prices for many items. Shoppers and small businesses had to pay more, and importers took the government to court, saying these tariffs were not legal.

In February 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the president lacked the power under IEEPA to impose these tariffs. This ended the tariffs and allowed importers to seek a refund.

This led to a series of new lawsuits by consumers demanding their own tariff refunds for the products they bought.