One simple criteria you have to meet to receive ‘tariff dividends’ of ‘at least $2,000’ as Trump gives expected payout date

President Donald Trump’s recent pledge to provide Americans with a $2,000 “tariff dividend” has sparked widespread confusion, with many asking when the payments will actually arrive.

Trump has long imposed major tariffs on imported goods, a move critics say increases costs for US consumers and businesses. Now, he suggests these tariff revenues could be returned to the public—possibly appealing to the large share of Americans who disapprove of his trade policies.

He claims the government has collected “hundreds of billions” from tariffs and says dividend checks could be issued by “the middle of next year or a little later,” targeted at low-, moderate-, and middle-income earners. However, he has not specified exact qualifications.

Some have compared the idea to Trump’s pandemic-era stimulus checks, which delivered at least $1,200 to individuals. But it remains unclear whether the tariff dividend is financially or legally feasible.

A YouTuber and social-security commentator known as Blind to Billionaire suggested the most likely eligibility rule would mirror past programs: individuals earning under $75,000, or couples earning under $150,000, could qualify.

Still, whether the payout will ever materialize is uncertain. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently told Fox Business that the plan would require congressional approval and hinted that the income cutoff might shift to under $100,000 for families.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates the program could cost around $600 billion annually—far more than the government currently receives from tariffs—raising doubts about whether the proposal is realistic.