Many tax books promise readers a radical reduction in taxes (or no taxes at all). All too often, they tout obscure tax strategies that apply to nearly no one - or doubtful schemes that may draw unwelcome attention from the IRS. Written by veteran USA TODAY financial columnist Sandra Block and bestselling tax writer Stephen Fishman, Easy Ways to Lower Your Taxes has useful insights and legitimate tactics that many readers can employ to lower their tax bills. It explains, in plain English, the rules of tax planning: boost tax-free income; get a lower tax rate; defer paying taxes; make the most of deductions; take advantage of exemptions; identify and use credits and shift income to other taxpayers. Each rule is fleshed out with plenty of ideas, excerpts, strategies and real-life examples, as well as dozens of USA TODAY SnapshotsAE Easy Ways to Lower Your Taxes delves into retirement plans, home mortgages, student loans, charitable contributions, medical expenses, dependents, even businesses that never get started - and more