TAXABLE ACCOUNTEXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS, INDEX FUNDS

Low turnover makes them tax-efficient.I-BONDS

These savings bonds defer interest payments.LONG-TERM POSITIONS IN INDIVIDUAL STOCKS

You get the benefit of the long-term capital-gains rate when you sell.MUNICIPAL BONDS/FUNDS

Already tax-exempt.TAX-MANAGED FUNDS

These funds are operated with an eye toward minimizing taxes.TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNTACTIVELY MANAGED FUNDS

They distribute taxable gains from the sale of profitable stocks after adjusting for losses.ACTIVELY TRADED SECURITIES

You avoid paying capital-gains taxes when you sell a profitable security.TAXABLE BONDS/FUNDS

Most of their returns are in the form of taxable annual interest payments.TIIS (TREASURY INFLATION-INDEXED SECURITIES)

Adjustments made to principal are taxable but don't produce cash.

Data: Morningstar, BusinessWeek