Who could qualify for Trump’s suggested $2K tariff rebate? What’s happened in the past

(NEXSTAR) — Over the weekend, President Trump suggested that most Americans may receive "at least" $2,000 from the tariff revenue collected this year, which may have left you wondering if you fall into the category of "most Americans."

The comments made by Trump over the weekend, in which he suggested a "dividend of $2,000 a person" could be paid to everyone, have drawn mixed reviews.

The White House hasn't released any firm plan on what the dividends could look like. The plan, which would require action from Congress, is expected to face roadblocks. It's also possible the dividends don't come in the form of a check at all, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying over the weekend that the dividend "could come in lots of forms," like "tax decreases."

An analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget suggested there may not be enough tariff revenue to fund the idea, either.

Nonetheless, Trump reiterated Monday that dividends of "about $2,000" would be issued.

While the full details of the payment of tariff dividends haven't been released, Trump has offered some insight into which Americans could receive a cut of the tariff revenue.

On Sunday, Trump suggested that "high income people" would not qualify for the payments. On Monday, he said dividends would be issued to "our middle income people and lower income people."

It's possible that eligibility could be calculated similarly to the stimulus checks sent out during the COVID-19 pandemic. For all three, individuals making $75,000 a year or less, or married couples making up to $150,000, received the full payment ($1,200, $600, and $1,400, chronologically). Beyond that income threshold, payments were reduced or nonexistent.

There's also a chance that a bill introduced in the Senate earlier this year will be passed.

The bill, brought forth by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) in July, called for "tariff rebates" that would model the payments sent out by Congress in 2020.

Under Hawley's bill, each adult would receive "at least $600," as would each dependent child. The total rebate for a DINK household (dual income, no kids), for example, would be at least $1,200, while a family of four could receive $2,400.

Payments could increase "if tariff revenue exceeds current projections for 2025," according to a press release from Hawley's office describing the proposed legislation.

Payments would also decrease based on household income. The bill's text says rebates would be reduced based on a taxpayer's filing status and their adjusted gross income. That income threshold is $150,000 for those filing a joint return; $112,500 for those filing as a head of household; and $75,000 for a single taxpayer.

Trump expressed support for the idea in July, telling reporters that the U.S. has "so much money coming in" because of the tariffs that "we're thinking about a little rebate."

"A little rebate for people of a certain income level might be very nice," he said, while noting that "the big thing we want to do is pay down the debt."

The federal deficit hit $38 trillion last month, setting a record. As of September, about $195 billion has been collected from the tariffs.

Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, said Monday that the idea of using savings from the Department of Government Efficiency's cuts to send payments to Americans was "back on the table," The Hill reported.

“I’m sure the president will discuss with congressional leaders whether, because of all of the extra tax revenue, there isn’t more room to get checks back to people,” he said.