Tax Professional Suspended for Joking About Taxes

Linda Stubbs, an income tax superintendent in Middletown, Ohio, was suspended for a week without pay for injecting humorous statements in the city income tax return instructions that were mailed to residents of Middletown.

With statements like, "If we can tax it, we will," and "Free advice: If you don't have a profit in a five-year period, you might want to consider another line of work," Ms. Stubbs attracted the attention of her supervisor who didn't find the comments appropriate.

"We're not comedians here, this is a business ... and we should act accordingly," said Middletown's Interim City Manager Bill Becker.

The city has received messages from around the country showing support for Ms. Stubbs. One message came all the way from Romania and read: "Your humor was far from taxing, in fact it offered real tax relief! I loved your advice concerning 5 years without profit (how true)." At least one message suggested the penalty is too lenient and Ms. Stubbs should be fired from her job.

The city, which is located in southwestern Ohio between Dayton and Cincinnati, reissued tax forms to all of its residents at a cost of $5,500. Part of the cost will be offset by the reallocation of Ms. Stubbs's pay. Her suspension begins February 14.