Share to ClassroomUS Gives Back Billions in Tariff Money
The US government has given back more than $100billion to companies. These companies had paid special taxes on goods they brought into the country. Those taxes are called tariffs. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court decided that the tariffs were illegal. American companies had paid about $160billion in total. The customs service opened a website for claims on 20 April. Big companies like Amazon, Nike and Apple have each received between $600million and $2billion.
Only the company that paid the tax at the border can ask for the money back. Shoppers can not ask for it. A business reporter told NPR (National Public Radio) that big companies got their money quickly, because they had staff to fill in the forms. Small firms find it much harder. Companies do not have to share the money with their customers. But the delivery firms UPS (United Parcel Service) , FedEx and DHL have promised to do so.
Experts do not think families will get much back. One study says each home paid about $1,000more. Another study puts the cost at about $1,100each year. Most shops did not show the tax separately, so lawyers say customers can not ask for a refund. Some customers have taken big shops to court. A senator is asking seven large shops about the money.
