A Uniondale financial advisory firm says it is helping businesses convert disputed tariff refund claims into near-term cash as companies face potentially lengthy waits for reimbursement from the federal government.

Asset Enhancement Solutions LLCsaid it is working with hedge funds and other investors to help companies either sell their claims for refunds or use those claims as collateral for loans while legal and administrative questions surrounding the tariffs are resolved.

The opportunity emerged after theU.S. Supreme Court ruled in Februarythat tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, were unlawful, raising the possibility that companies that paid the duties could be entitled to refunds. The ruling did not specify how refunds should be processed, leaving uncertainty about timing and procedures.

That uncertainty has created a secondary market for tariff claims.

“This has been going on since the spring of 2025,” said Neil Seiden, managing director of Asset Enhancement Solutions. “Financial institutions started reaching out to larger companies that had $10 million to $20 million or more in tariffs to see if they wanted to monetize their claims.”

Under the firm’s model, companies can sell all or part of their expected refund to investors at a discount, receiving immediate cash while transferring much of the legal and timing risk to the buyer.

The firm said it has facilitated roughly $20 million in tariff refund claim sales across several industries, including food importers and seasonal goods companies.

Before the Supreme Court ruling, hedge funds were typically willing to purchase claims for about 22% of their face value because of uncertainty over whether refunds would ever be paid.

“Since the Supreme Court decision, the rate is about 40% to 50%,” Seiden said. “The 50% is really for claims over $10 million.”

The transactions remain complex because refund claims cannot be formally transferred under current rules. The original company remains the claimant and may still need to pursue administrative or legal action to obtain the refund, with the proceeds ultimately passing through to the investor that purchased the claim.

Source: LI Press