SingerLewak urges importers to file for IEEPA tariff refunds now

SingerLewak is warning U.S. importers to move quickly on tariff refunds tied to a February 2026 Supreme Court ruling that invalidated IEEPA-based duties. The firm says claims are not automatic and that companies should also assess the tax treatment of any recovery before filing.

Why it matters: - The Supreme Court ruling created a potential cash recovery for U.S. importers that could be material for mid-market businesses. - Refunds may include interest, which can improve liquidity at a time when trade rules and tariff exposure remain volatile. - The tax outcome can change the value of the refund, especially for companies that capitalized tariff costs into inventory or fixed assets.

What happened: - On Feb. 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. - The ruling effectively invalidated tariffs imposed under IEEPA. - SingerLewak advised importers on June 18, 2026, to review their exposure and begin the refund process immediately. - Judge Richard K. Eaton of the Court of International Trade is overseeing the refund process. - The court ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection to establish a refund mechanism by April 20, 2026.

The details: - CBP reported that as of April 26, 2026, more than 75,000 Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries declarations had been submitted. - More than 47,000 of those declarations passed file validations. - The submissions covered more than 11 million tariff entries. - Refunds on approved declarations were expected to begin issuing by May 11, 2026. - Claims must be filed through CBP's CAPE system. - Refunds are not automatic. - Tax treatment depends on how tariffs were previously booked, the timing rules for accrual-basis taxpayers and any contractual pass-through obligations. - SingerLewak said businesses pursuing refunds should assess eligibility, documentation, CBP system readiness, tax treatment, cash flow timing, contractual issues, internal coordination, filing, financial reporting and ongoing monitoring.

Between the lines: - The refund process is turning a legal win into an operational race, where documentation and tax analysis matter as much as eligibility. - Companies that delay could miss recovery opportunities or create avoidable tax problems if the refund is booked incorrectly. - SingerLewak is positioning its International Tax team around a fast-changing trade environment where regulatory guidance may keep shifting.

What's next: - Importers that believe they are eligible need to quantify claims, prepare filings and evaluate tax consequences before submitting through CBP. - SingerLewak said its team can help with claim quantification, filing support and tax analysis before refund issues become surprises. - The firm also said businesses should keep monitoring regulatory guidance as the refund process develops.

The bottom line: - The ruling may unlock significant cash for importers, but only companies that act quickly and handle the tax side carefully are likely to capture the benefit cleanly.