It is standard advice to taper to <30mg of methadone, then to go without for 1-3 days prior to starting suboxone. The idea is to avoid precipitated withdrawal. As I pointed out,, I did none of these and got through it, but I would never recommend that. As to getting off, I have heard all sides: some get off methadone with little trouble, others never get off (and everything in between). All of the same can be said of suboxone. The important point is to be willing to accept whatever happens as long as you are in recovery. Planning for tapering off prior to starting is counter-productive as no one can predict the future.