This splendid slack week between Christmas and the New Year is one during which many Americans start pulling together their financial records for the year. And it's a good time to engage in some last-minute tax planning--especially this year, with the tax code changing considerably on Jan. 1. Since the passage of the new tax law earlier this year, most taxpayers have already enjoyed a reduction in their income tax rate. Further reductions will kick in starting in 2002, so deferring income and accelerating deductions can translate into even bigger savings than usual. Here are a few ways to save.
--Defer...