Apple says no refund is due, but I was charged sales tax before requesting tax exemption

Hello everyone, I recently purchased an iPhone 18 Pro Max through the Apple US online store using a tax-exempt shipping address. Apple charged me the full order amount, including sales tax, before I submitted my request for tax exemption. I contacted Apple Tax Operations, and they told me: “We removed the sales tax from that order on 10/27/26,” “You are not being charged sales tax,” and “There is nothing to refund.” However, my payment had already been charged before I requested the tax exemption. I understand that my updated invoice now shows the order as tax-free, but I do not understand how Apple can say there is nothing to refund when I was already charged the original amount, including sales tax. Could the tax have been removed from the invoice without the amount charged to my payment method being adjusted? Has anyone experienced this situation, and can someone explain whether I am entitled to a refund of the sales tax I already paid? Thank you.