Gov. Whitmer, LARA, Taking Action to Deliver Refunds to Businesses from Federal Government Following SCOTUS Tariff Decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2026

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Gov. Whitmer, LARA, Taking Action to Deliver Refunds to Businesses from Federal Government Following SCOTUS Tariff Decision

Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs begins outreach to businesses to apply for tariff refunds

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) took action to help deliver refunds to Michigan businesses after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the tariffs enacted last year under the International Emergency Power Act were unconstitutional. Governor Whitmer and LARA encouraged businesses to file for refunds and work with the federal government to recover funds.

"The president's tariffs have jacked up costs, and Michiganders have been paying the price," said Governor Whitmer. "It's time for Michiganders to get their money back. State government has begun outreach to businesses and employers to help them file for tariff refunds from the federal government and lower costs for Michiganders. This action builds on our other work to lower costs and provide real relief for Michigan families. Whether it's cutting taxes, lowering everyday costs, or helping businesses get refunds, we've got your back."

After the Supreme Court's decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump found that the President's IEEPA tariffs were illegal, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the federal government must issue refunds for those tariffs. In their last update to the court, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency reported that they had begun validating and refunding claims.

"LARA is committed to supporting and partnering with Michigan's business community," said Marlon I. Brown, Director of LARA. "Providing access to timely information and available resources helps entities better understand and navigate the federal refund request process."

Under an executive directive signed by the governor on the one-year anniversary of Liberation Day, LARA has begun outreach to Michigan businesses and employers. The department sent a notice to more than 540,000 individuals and businesses with information from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding a new online portal for submitting tariff refund requests related to recent International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duty rulings.

The pain of these increased costs from tariffs has not been offset by any of the promised economic gain. US GDP grew at a slower rate in 2025 than in preceding years, and companies added fewer jobs in 2025 than at any point in the last 20 years. Michigan's industries have been hit hard, with a recent analysis finding that the tariffs cost U.S. automakers $35 billion last year. Tariffs are estimated to have cost working families $1,000 per year.

Entities that import goods into the United States may now file eligible refund claims for tariffs levied under IEEPA directly through the CBP system. Businesses that have paid these duties may wish to review recent import activity to determine whether a refund request is appropriate.

The CBP bulletin, which includes details about the federal refund process, is available here.

Lowering Costs for Michiganders

Governor Whitmer has been focused on lowering costs for Michiganders. Since taking office, the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration has:

• Rolled back the retirement tax to save 500,000 households an average of $1,000 a year.

• Quintupled the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit to give over 650,000 working families an average tax refund of more than $3,800.

• Ended state taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security.

• Signed a deal raising the minimum wage to $15/hour one year ahead of schedule for more than 700,000 workers and making Michigan's earned sick time the best in the country, while providing more flexibility for small businesses.

• Established Michigan Reconnect to offer any Michigander 25 and older tuition-free associate's degree or skills certificate.

• Established the Michigan Achievement Scholarship to save students thousands of dollars a year as they pursue a skills certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree.

• Expanded access to free pre-K to every four-year-old while prioritizing families who need it most so every kid can arrive at kindergarten ready to learn.

• Signed bipartisan legislation to put money back in people's pockets and bring down the cost of car insurance, saving drivers at least $120 per car in 2020.

• Delivered refunds of $400 per vehicle back in the pockets of Michigan drivers.

• Eliminated the tampon tax.

• Announced the MI Open Account Coalition offering low or no-cost financial services, saving 120,000 eligible families an average of $3,000 a year and helping them build wealth.

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