Daniel Hudson

Here's one for tax professionals: What's your state's (city, town, county, borough) biggest tax quirk that surprises people who aren't locals? NYS: Must make separate tax elections NYC: Taxes pass-through entities and unincorporated businesses

A lot of people have asked for a comprehensive preparedness list for the winter storm. Feel free to bookmark this or share with friends, stay safe out there: ⛽️ Gas up every car (and top off any cans if you’ve got them) 💵 Pull cash — assume card readers go down 🔋 Charge everything: phones, battery packs, laptops, tool batteries 🔌 Make one “charging pile” with all cords so nobody’s hunting 🔦 Headlamp for every adult + flashlight for every kid 🏮 Lanterns for the main rooms (no candles… kids + candles = nope) 🔋 Fresh batteries in a big ziplock — label it 🏠 Pick ONE “warm room” right now (small room, easiest to heat) 🚪 Shut doors to the rest of the house 🧣 Blankets over windows at night + towels at the bottom of doors 🛏️ Drag mattresses/pads in there if you need to 🧤 Lay out clothes like it’s ski season: base layer + hoodie + coat + hat + thick socks 👟 Slippers/shoes indoors — cold floors will wreck you 🧦 Dry clothes only — damp socks = change them immediately ⚠️ Generator = OUTSIDE only (not garage, not “cracked door,” OUTSIDE) 🚨 CO alarms working on every floor, especially near bedrooms 🔌 Use outdoor-rated extension cords only — don’t run cords under rugs 🙅‍♂️ Don’t do any “dryer plug” stuff — not worth dying for ⛽️ Fuel stays OUTSIDE the house ✅ If you’re using a heater: only indoor-rated 🔥 Keep it away from blankets/curtains/kids 🌬️ Crack a window just a tiny bit 😴🚫 Never sleep with a flame heater on 💧 Water: plan 1 gallon per person per day minimum 🪣 Fill bathtub/buckets for flushing/washing 🚱 On a well? Assume ZERO water once power is out 🔧 Find the main water shutoff now (don’t wait) 🚰 When it’s brutally cold: let faucets drip (if water’s still on) 🧊 Open sink cabinets on outside walls 🧣 Wrap exposed pipes / cover outdoor spigots 🧯 Disconnect hoses 🥫 Food: buy 7 days of no-cook / easy stuff 🍞 Stock basics: PB, tuna, crackers, granola, soup, jerky, shelf milk, cereal 🗝️ Manual can opener 🍽️ Paper plates if you don’t want to burn water on dishes ❄️ Fridge/freezer: open it as little as possible ✅ Eat fridge first, then freezer, then pantry 💊 Refill prescriptions 🤒 Kids fever meds + thermometer + first-aid kit ⚡️ CPAP/nebulizer/anything critical: have a power plan 🧼 Baby wipes + sanitizer + trash bags 🪣 No water? Bucket toilet plan (bucket + bags + kitty litter) 🎲 Make a “kid station” in the warm room: books, coloring, cards, board games 🎬 Download movies ahead of time (airplane mode) 🚫 Clear rules: no touching heaters, no cords, no generator zone 🌙🏮 Lantern by hallway/bathroom at night 🧸 One comfort thing per kid in the warm room 📱 Phones: low power mode + dim screen 📝 Write down important numbers on paper 📞 Pick a check-in time with family/friends (morning + evening) 🚗❄️ Don’t drive unless you have to — ice will humble you fast 🧰 Car kit: blanket, flashlight, snacks, water, jumper pack 🚘⚠️ If you run the car for heat: clear the tailpipe and never in an enclosed space ✅ Every morning: quick safety sweep 🚨🔥 CO alarms good, heater clear, cords not hot 🌡️💧 Watch for leaks when things thaw 🤝 Check on neighbors if you can 🗑️ Toss sketchy food when power comes back ⚡️ Bring the house back online slowly (don’t flip everything at once)