Retirement Tax Planning in Mesa, AZ — Keep More of What You Saved
The order you draw from your accounts, when you claim Social Security, and whether you convert to a Roth all change what you keep. We plan them together.
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How we help you retire
Porter Mountain Advisors provides retirement and investment tax strategy in Mesa, AZ — withdrawal planning, Roth conversions, Social Security and Medicare timing, and required minimum distributions — from a CPA who is also an attorney.
Retirement & Investment Tax Strategy
Which account you draw from first, and in what order, changes your tax bill for years. We map the withdrawals around your brackets instead of guessing each spring.
Social Security & Medicare Timing
Claiming early means smaller checks for life; waiting grows them. We weigh your health, other income, and taxes — including the Medicare surcharge (IRMAA) a single big year can trigger.
Roth Conversions & RMDs
Converting in a lower-income year can mean tax-free growth and withdrawals later. We model whether it pays, and make sure required distributions are never missed.
Legacy & Inherited Accounts
Inherited retirement accounts have their own rules, and gifts to family have tax angles worth planning. We line this up with your estate plan so heirs keep more.
Retirement planning works best paired with your tax return and your estate plan, all handled from our Mesa office.
The best planning years are the quiet ones
The window between leaving work and starting Social Security and required distributions is usually your lowest-income stretch — and the cheapest time to convert, reposition, and get ahead of the tax bill. If you are within a few years of retiring, it is worth a conversation now.
Why retirees bring us their numbers
Retirement decisions rarely stay in one lane. A withdrawal changes your bracket, your bracket changes your Medicare premium, and your beneficiary forms change what your family receives. The same person handles the tax and the legal side, so those pieces are decided together.
Already retired, or a few years out? Tell us where you are and we will tell you what to look at first.
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Tell us what you need — we’ll reply within one business day. No pressure, no obligation.
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Retirement FAQs
How do I avoid taxes during retirement?
You can’t avoid them entirely, but planning lowers them a lot — the order you draw from accounts, Roth conversions, timing Social Security, and managing your tax bracket all matter. This is where year-round planning from a CPA and attorney pays for itself.
When should I take Social Security?
It depends. Claiming early (as soon as 62) means smaller checks for life; waiting (up to 70) grows your benefit substantially. The right timing depends on your health, other income, taxes, and marital status. We’ll run the numbers with you.
Is my Social Security income taxable?
It can be. Depending on your total income, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable federally — but many people pay tax on little or none of it. (Arizona does not tax Social Security.) It’s worth a quick review to plan around it.
What are required minimum distributions (RMDs)?
RMDs are amounts the IRS requires you to withdraw from traditional retirement accounts each year once you reach a certain age (currently 73). Miss one and the penalty is steep. We’ll make sure you take the right amount at the right time — and plan to soften the tax hit.
Should I do a Roth conversion, and when?
Often yes — converting traditional retirement money to a Roth means paying tax now so it grows and withdraws tax-free later. The best window is usually a lower-income year, such as early retirement before Social Security and RMDs begin. We’ll model whether and when it makes sense.
What is IRMAA, and why is money being taken from my Social Security?
IRMAA (the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is a surcharge on your Medicare premiums that applies when your income is over certain thresholds — often deducted from your Social Security check. It’s based on your income from two years earlier, so one big year can trigger it. Careful income planning can help you avoid or reduce it.
Ready to protect what matters?
Tell us your situation and we’ll explain your options in plain language, then give you a clear quote before any work begins. No pressure, no obligation.
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