A survey to be issued today says Canberrans are expecting the highest refunds in the country more than $2800.

The figure is above the average national expectation of $2351 and retailers are seeing the potential injection of funds as potentially bringing a third round of stimulus-related spending.

Chief executive of the ACT Chamber of Commerce Chris Peters said retailers were hopeful the refunds would help keep retail spending buoyant.

He said while the ACT economy and retail sales had held up reasonably well, many retailers had reduced margins in order to keep the cash registers ringing.

Mr Peters said he hoped consumers would reach into their pockets in coming months, but not too deeply.

''Consumers need to be careful to make sure they don't over-extend themselves with spending, but they don't need to invest it all into the future, a balance of both will give the best outcome, not only for them, but for the economy,'' he said.

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