Iowa ? Pumpkins have won a Halloween reprieve from the tax man.

After a backlash from many pumpkin growers who feared a new tax would cut into their profits, Gov. Chet Culver on Wednesday ordered the Department of Revenue “to do the common-sense thing” and offer refunds for anyone affected by the “ridiculous” policy.

The department implemented the tax this year after officials decided that pumpkins are used primarily as Halloween decorations, not food. Previously, pumpkins had been considered an edible squash and exempted from the state’s 5 percent sales tax.

The new policy, published in the department’s September newsletter, had some pumpkin farmers feeling tricked.