New Jersey Small Businesses Demand their $6.9 Billion in Illegal Tariffs Back

New Jersey Small Business Interviews Available: New data release today shows that New Jersey businesses paid over $6.9 billion in now-illegal IEEPA tariffs from February 2025 through January 2026

Meanwhile, the administration doubled down with new Section 122 tariffs days after the Supreme Court ruling and has taken steps to delay refunds of the illegal tariff payments, prompting New Jersey to join 23 other states in a new lawsuit. Even more tariffs are lined up for later this year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 18, 2026 - New Jersey small businesses have paid $6.9 billion in now-illegal IEEPA tariffs and $10 billion in overall new presidential tariffs according to new data released by We Pay the Tariffs, an organization of NJ and national small businesses. The data looks at the most updated government data on tariffs available from February 2025–January 2026 and was compiled by Trade Partnership Worldwide.

The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision on February 20 struck down IEEPA tariffs, New Jersey businesses are still waiting for clarity on how and when tariffs might be refunded.

Rather than provide relief following the Supreme Court decision, the administration responded within hours by imposing new 10% tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport has joined 23 other state attorneys general and governors in a lawsuit filed at the Court of International Trade challenging the Section 122 tariffs as unconstitutional and in violation of federal law.

The administration is teeing up even more tariffs for later this year when Section 122 tariffs are likely to expire. On March 12-13, the administration launched new investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that could lead to additional tariffs on countries accounting for 99% of U.S. imports.

We Pay the Tariffs, a coalition of over 1,100 small businesses nationwide that advocates against new tariffs, is calling on Congress and the administration to ensure that IEEPA refunds are full, fast, and automatic, and is pushing back on the administration’s decision to double down with new tariffs under a different statute rather than provide the relief New Jersey businesses are owed.

“New Jersey businesses paid over $6.9 billion in illegal tariffs, and they are owed every penny back,” said Dan Anthony, Executive Director of We Pay the Tariffs. “The government has records of every tariff payment. Congress and the administration must ensure that refunds are issued automatically, without requiring small businesses to hire lawyers or navigate complex claims processes.”

“The administration’s decision to double down within hours by imposing new tariffs and launch even more new investigations since then underscores that tariffs are intended as a permanent tax on small businesses,” Anthony added. “For New Jersey small businesses, these are the same tariffs under a different name, resulting in the same crushing burden.”

$6.9 billion in IEEPA tariffs paid by New Jersey businesses, February 2025 through January 2026, now subject to potential refund. View what every state in the nation paid in IEEPA tariffs HERE

$10 billion in total presidential tariffs paid, March 2025 through January 2026. Overall New Jersey tariff data for all tariffs (not just IEEPA) HERE

New Jersey Small Businesses Call for Refunds

New Jersey small businesses have joined businesses from across the country in signing We Pay the Tariffs’ letter to Congress and the Administration demanding full, fast, and automatic refunds of all unlawfully collected IEEPA tariffs. The letter makes clear that the government has records of every tariff payment and that refunds must be issued directly to importers of record without requiring individual applications.

Refund letter: wepaythetariffs.com/sign-the-refund-letter

Tariff Polling

National polling consistently shows broad, bipartisan opposition to tariff policies ahead of the 2026 midterms. A compilation of more than 25 polls showing voter opposition to tariffs is available HERE

Small Business Interviews Available:

We Pay the Tariffs can connect media with New Jersey small business owners who can speak to how IEEPA tariffs impacted their businesses, what refunds would mean for their operations and employees, and how the new Section 122 tariffs continue to burden Main Street. Contact press@wepaythetariffs.com to arrange interviews.

About the Data

All data come from Trade Partnership Worldwide’s State Tariff Tracker (“Tracker”) database. The Tracker combines national import and tariff data from the U.S. Census Bureau (Census), including details on special provisions that either lower tariffs (e.g., preference claims such as USMCA) or increase them (e.g., Chapter 99 rates for Section 301 or IEEPA tariffs), tariff schedules from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), and state import value data from Census. Trade Partnership Worldwide data is frequently cited in national and international media including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC, NBC, CBS, Axios, Politico, CNBC, CNN, BBC, and more.

About We Pay the Tariffs

We Pay the Tariffs is a grassroots coalition of over 1,000 small businesses that advocates against tariffs. The coalition filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court challenging the legality of IEEPA tariffs. Members include restaurants, manufacturers, retailers, game companies, importers, and other enterprises from every U.S. region. The vast majority of members are micro businesses with 10 or fewer employees. For more information: www.wepaythetariffs.com

MEDIA CONTACT: press@wepaythetariffs.com