Refund limits - simple question

When sellers state the refund limit is $x where x is some variable, is x before or after taxes? In other words, if the limit is $1000, can you get 999.99 pre tax + $xx.xx tax or do I need to calculate tax into the total limit?

Total cost. Its not a limit just reccommended not to go higher

so if the limit is $1000 it's really the same difference to have $990 or $1010?