Here's a company that put out a news release once they received confirmation about their tax refund. I have no idea about their application for the tax refund but it shows that actual cash is handed over once Canada Revenue approves the submission.

Vancouver, British Columbia...Cardero Resource Corp. ("Cardero" or the "Company") (TSX: CDU, OTCBB: CDYCF) announces that it has received written confirmation from the Canada Revenue Agency that the anticipated British Columbia Mineral Exploration Tax Credit ("METC"), amounting to CAD $3,734,023, has been processed and should be received by Cardero Coal Ltd. shortly.