How to get your tariff cash back

Businesses might finally see some tariff money refunded to them. That’s because this week, the federal government officially rolled out a process that allows businesses to apply for a refund.<br /><br />Today on the show, we speak with three business owners about the unexpected simplicity and frustration of the Trump tariff refund process. <br /><br />Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: <a href="https://www.planetmoneybook.com/#tour" target="_blank">planetmoneybook.com/#tour</a><br /><br />The Indicator has a weekly newsletter! Be among the first and sign-up now: <a href="http://npr.org/newsletter/indicator" target="_blank">npr.org/indicatornewsletter</a> <br /><br /><strong>Related episodes: </strong><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/02/21/nx-s1-5721268/can-i-get-my-tariff-money-back-now" target="_blank">Can I get my tariff money back now?</a><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/11/12/nx-s1-5605545/trumps-backup-options-for-tariffs" target="_blank">Trump's backup options for tariffs</a><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/08/26/nx-s1-5515756/three-ways-companies-are-getting-around-tariffs" target="_blank">Three ways companies are getting around tariffs</a><br /><br /><em>For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/" target="_blank"><em>plus.npr.org</em></a><em>.</em> <em>Fact-checking by </em><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez" target="_blank"><em>Sierra Juarez</em></a><em>. Music by </em><a href="https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><em>Drop Electric</em></a><em>. Find us: </em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney" target="_blank"><em>TikTok</em></a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/" target="_blank"><em>Instagram</em></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney" target="_blank"><em>Facebook</em></a>, <a href="http://npr.org/indicatornewsletter" target="_blank"><em>Newsletter</em></a><em>. </em><br /><br />See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>