NOT everyone has to pay the full amount of council tax.

Council tax exemptions and reductions help those who might have difficulty paying their bill and reflect the way the tax is charged to households instead of individuals.

People living alone get 25 per cent off their bill, so someone living alone in a Band A property would pay £880.85.

Students are fully exempt from council tax so a household of full-time students would not pay anything. If a student was living with an adult, that person could claim the discount for living alone.

There are discounts for people with mental impairments and those with disabilities.

Families of people in prison or detained by a court order ie, via the Mental Health Act, can also apply for reductions or exemptions.

However, families of people in prison for the non-payment of council tax or fines are not eligible for exemptions or reductions.