Jonathan Lietz-McEwen on the Joy of Tax

Part of our Joy of Tax series, where we sit down with the people of Gelt to talk about what makes this work matter.

Jonathan has been in tax and accounting since 2016, nearly ten years now, and an EA at Gelt since 2026.

Ask what pulled him in and it wasn't the numbers. "I started in an accounting and finance background, and as I was working in finance I kind of got pulled into the tax space naturally. It's one of the specializations," he says. "I think just the human aspect, being able to connect with people and really make a difference, was most of what drew me in."

The misconception he keeps running into

When Jonathan tells people what he does, the reaction is usually a shrug. Most of them have a W-2 job, maybe a little income on the side, and figure they can just file their own return.

"It's sort of hard for them to understand," he says. "But for the people that need it, it's huge. There are so many opportunities out there. Being able to go into a profession where I can make a difference has been great. Sometimes I get to connect with people, really help them save, and find ways to better their lives."

Tax as a puzzle

Jonathan lights up when a return turns into something he has to solve. His most recent one is a client who moved to Spain in August 2025, with a business and several different forms of income.

"Being able to find all the opportunities that are there, what can we do for you, how can we save you money, it's like a big puzzle," he says. "Putting it all together is honestly a lot of fun."

The Gelt difference: forward, not just compliant

Ask Jonathan what sets Gelt apart, and his answer is about where the firm points its attention.

"A lot of tax firms in my experience focus on compliance. They may focus some on planning," he says. "Gelt really sets itself apart by thinking forward with technology, how we can utilize it to better the experience for our clients. That's the most unique thing about Gelt to me. We're a tech-forward company."

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Watching the light bulb come on

The scenario Jonathan sees most often starts as a success story and turns into a shock. A client starts a business, it grows, and suddenly there is a tax bill they never had to think about before.

"They may have thirty or forty thousand dollars in taxes to pay, and they're coming from a W-2 background where everything was withheld," he says. The first job is explaining why that happens. The second is fixing it. Often these clients can switch to an S corporation and save a large amount.

"It's always a joy seeing that light bulb come on. It snaps for them. They understand, this is saving me twenty thousand dollars in taxes," he says. "A lot of times people dread this time of year, and I get to say, it doesn't have to be that way. You bring that fear of taxes into a scenario where all of a sudden it's manageable, if not enjoyable, to figure out what the opportunities are."

The boogeyman in the corner

The story that stays with him is about relief. A client came in three or four years behind on their taxes, convinced they might owe hundreds of thousands of dollars. They had to assemble financials before anyone could even find out.

As Jonathan worked through the years, the picture changed. Some years the client had a refund, some years they owed, and across all of them combined it roughly broke even.

"Just seeing that relief, I think, is the best word for it," he says. "Going from a place where there's this boogeyman in the corner that's taxes and I don't know what's going on with it, to hey, it's not that bad, we're here, and we're going to be okay. That was a very connecting moment. It's something that's continued to sit with me."

What separates a great CPA from a good one

For Jonathan, the line comes down to timing.

"A good CPA reacts to a lot of scenarios and is there, but they're always catching up," he says. "A great CPA is anticipating and forward-thinking. Instead of catching up, they're thinking ahead for clients. Hey, I've seen this opportunity coming, let's talk about it early. That's the difference."

It's the same instinct that defines the client he most enjoys. "Gelt really thrives on clients with more complicated scenarios. Someone in a rapidly scaling business deciding whether to keep it, keep scaling, or sell down the line. Or someone with established wealth looking to maximize what they're doing for retirement," he says. "Our planning is very long-term in focus and scope. That's where people get the most value."

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do new business owners suddenly owe so much in taxes?
Coming from a W-2 job, everything was withheld automatically. When a business takes off, nothing is withheld, so owners can face a thirty or forty thousand dollar bill they never had to think about before. The fix is often structural: many of these clients can switch to an S corporation and save a large amount.

What if I'm years behind on my taxes?
It's usually not as bad as the fear. One client came in three or four years behind, convinced they might owe hundreds of thousands of dollars. Working through the years, some had refunds, some had balances due, and combined it roughly broke even. The first step is assembling the financials to find out where you actually stand.

What separates a great tax professional from a good one?
Timing. A good tax professional reacts to scenarios and is always catching up. A great one anticipates: they see an opportunity coming and raise it early, with planning that is long-term in focus and scope.

Dreading this time of year? It doesn't have to be that way. Talk to a Gelt tax strategist.