Nathan Gauger, Author at Blue Heron CPAs

What to Expect After You Retire (From a Tax Standpoint): What Most People Miss

by Nathan Gauger | Feb 10, 2026 | Retiree Taxes, Tax Preparation

Retirement is supposed to feel lighter and less complicated. Unfortunately, taxes often get more complicated — not because you did anything wrong, but because your income starts coming from more places, with less automatic withholding. In many cases, retirees end up...

What Amount Of My Social Security Is Taxable (and What to Do About It)

by Nathan Gauger | Feb 5, 2026 | Retiree Taxes, Tax Preparation

If you’ve ever felt like “I only took out a little extra from my IRA… why did my tax bill jump so much?”—you’re not imagining it. For many retirees, Social Security taxation works like a dimmer switch. As other income rises, more of your Social Security becomes...

Choosing a Tax Preparer as a Retiree (Without Getting Tricked by Titles)

by Nathan Gauger | Jan 30, 2026 | Retiree Taxes, Tax Preparation

Most people try to choose a tax preparer the same way they choose a dentist: “My friend likes them.” “They’ve been doing this forever.” “They were close by.” “Their website looks professional.” The best tax preparer for you isn’t defined by a title alone — it’s...

Estimated Tax Payments Explained for Retirees and How To Avoid Them

by Nathan Gauger | Jan 22, 2026 | Retiree Taxes, Tax Preparation

This guide is for retirees who are living off Social Security, retirement accounts, and investments — and want a simple plan to avoid surprise tax bills. The theory of estimated tax payments: why the IRS makes you pay during the year The U.S. income tax system is...

Blue Heron CPAs: Our Retiree Tax Process, Our Average Client, and Why We Exist

by Nathan Gauger | Jan 19, 2026 | Tax Preparation

Retirement is supposed to feel lighter. But for a lot of people, taxes are the part that still feels… heavy. Maybe you’ve got Social Security, a pension, IRA withdrawals, brokerage income, and a couple non-traditional tax items (selling a home, a big RMD year, a Roth...