Problem
Brown Office Supplies recently reported $16,000 of sales, $8,250 of operating costs other than depreciation, and $1,750 of depreciation. It had $9,000 of bonds outstanding that carry a 7.0% interest rate, and its federal-plus-state income tax rate was 40%. How much was the firm's earnings before taxes (EBT)?
a. $6,551
b. $5,370
c. $6,122
d. $4,994
e. $6,444.