Although my book is called "How To Pay Zero Taxes," my fondest wish is that you pay millions in taxes. Remember, it's not what you pay that counts; it's what you keep!

Of course, you shouldn't have to pay one penny more than the law requires. So you've got to know the rules. If you want a more painless tax season next year, you should start paying attention now to the following six changes that will affect your 2007 tax return.

1. To give is to receive . . . and report
Starting with 2007, claiming a deduction for a charitable contribution will get more complicated. You'll need documentation from the charity, such as a canceled check, a bank record or a receipt, listing:

• The organization's name.
• The date of the donation.
• The amount of the contribution.

A log will no longer be sufficient. Video: How to donate and deduct

The deduction for the contribution of old clothes or household items has already gotten trickier.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 stipulated that from Aug. 18, 2006, you can only deduct charitable donations of clothes or household items (such as furnishings, electronics, appliances or linens) if they're in "good" condition or better.

Congress never defined "good," but I suspect my old socks and underwear are out.

Congress also gave the IRS the power to issue regulations to deny a deduction for items with "minimal monetary value."

Congress did throw one bone to the charity lobby: Taxpayers age 70 1/2 or older can now contribute up to $100,000 directly from an IRA to a charity without paying tax on the money. This helps taxpayers who don't itemize or who have to exceed a percentage of their adjusted gross income (7.5% for medical expenses; 2% for miscellaneous itemized deductions) in order to claim a deduction.

But Congress wasn't all that generous -- this provision is only good for 2006 and 2007. Video: Tax-free IRA donations

2. Homebuyers get a break
People who buy homes in 2007 will be getting a break. A new law allows taxpayers who itemize their deductions to deduct premiums paid for mortgage insurance -- typically required when homebuyers purchase their homes with less than 20% down.

Until now, only the interest paid on a mortgage has been deductible.

The new insurance-premiums deduction will apply only to mortgage insurance contracts issued in 2007 and will be available only to taxpayers whose adjusted gross incomes do not exceed $110,000 ($55,000 for married taxpayers filing separately). The move is expected to save $200 to $400 a year for a typical tax filer. Video: Schnepper on the mortgage break

3. Limit raised for health savings accounts
Congress passed a bill at the end of last year that increases the 2007 limit on tax-free contributions to health savings accounts. The 2006 limits -- $2,700 for singles and $5,450 for couples filing jointly -- increase to $2,850 and $5,650 in 2007.

Health savings accounts, an alternative to employer-provided health insurance, allow taxpayers to save money tax-free toward future health-care expenses. They require enrollment in a catastrophic health-care plan, which cuts premiums drastically but typically doesn't cover the first several thousand dollars in medical costs. Those expenses are paid from the savings account.

4. An extension on capital gains and dividends
Congress has also extended the reduced tax rate on capital gains and qualified dividends through 2010.Currently, the maximum rate on long-term capital gains (assets held for more than one year before being sold) and qualified corporate dividends is 15%. For those in the lowest two tax brackets, the rate is 5% through 2007 and 0% in 2008. Video chart: Calculate your taxable income

5. Big break for musicians or songwriters
If you're a musician or a songwriter, the feds are singing you a new song: Starting this year, the sale of either music you write or the copyright to that music will be treated as the sale of a capital asset, subject to a maximum 15% tax rate.

That's a substantial savings for those who would have had to treat the proceeds as ordinary income, with a tax rate as high as 35%. This provision is effective as of Jan. 1, 2007, and has been made permanent.

6. Bulk up your retirement nest egg
If you're contributing to a 401(k) or related retirement plan, you should always max your contributions to the extent they're matched by your employer. Even if you have to borrow to pay your other expenses, a 100% match is an immediate 100% return on your money.

But there are other reasons to try to put the maximum the law allows into your retirement fund. For 2007, the 401(k) limit increases to $15,500 from $15,000 in 2006 (with potentially another $4,000 sheltered in an individual retirement account, or IRA). If you're 50 or older, you can contribute another $1,000 to an IRA and an additional $5,000 to a 401(k) as "catch up" contributions. And you can expect to be able to make even larger retirement plan contributions going forward. Video: How to create an IRA

For example, the $4,000 limit on contributions on IRAs will rise to $5,000 in 2008 and will be indexed to

inflation starting in 2009.

If you're self-employed and want to contribute to a profit sharing or money purchase plan retirement plan, you must establish that plan by Dec. 31 of the year you're paying taxes for. You'll have until the due date of your return, including extensions, to fund the plan. But it must be set up by the end of the year of the return, or you'll get no deduction.

Also, the income limitation for Roth conversions disappears in 2010. Under current rules, you can convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA only if your income does not exceed $100,000. The $100,000 threshold applies to both singles and married couples. Starting in 2010, however, anyone can convert IRAs to Roth IRAs. For 2010 Roth conversions, you'll also have the option to pay the taxes due in a single year or spread them over 2010 and 2011.

So what should you do for now? If your income is too high for a current IRA, contribute to a "nondeductible" IRA. Then, in 2010, convert to a Roth. You'll only pay tax on the appreciation and can spread that tax over two years.