LA POSTE’S Genius service can help you find assistance at home with tasks like cleaning, home tutoring, gardening, DIY, letter-writing and administration, IT support and care for children or the elderly.

You can buy a Genius card for €36 a year and then order services as often as you like, paying providers directly (various money-off deals are included).

The other option is “packs” for specific jobs - eg. a “three-hours of gardening” pack for €99.50.

Either way, you phone a Genius adviser and they guarantee to put a suitable person in touch within 48 hours.

All costs are eligible for the home help tax reduction/credit - 50% of the cost (up to a set annual ceiling) off your next income tax assessment.

This is paid as a cheque if you are registered as a taxpayer but below thresholds to actually pay income tax.

Get more information from post offices, www.genius-laposte.fr or via the Genius helpline on 08 92 69 25 92 (French).

This year there is a one-off increase of €3,000 in the home help tax reduction/ credit ceilings, only for those who this year, paid for services at home for the first time.

The ceilings are usually €12,000 plus €1,500 per dependent, with a €15,000 top ceiling.

However for eligible people declaring this year’s income (on tax forms in 2011) the ceilings will be between €15,000 - €18,000.

The maximum is €20,000 if the taxpayer or a dependent is disabled.

However certain kinds of services have their own ceilings: €3,000 for small gardening jobs, €500 for handyman work and €1,000 for IT help.