On January 1, 1999, Jackson Company purchased equipment for \(\$ 400,000\), and installation and testing costs totaled \(\$ 40,000\). The equipment has an estimated useful life of 10 years and an estimated salvage value of \(\$ 40,000\). If Jackson uses the straight-line depreciation method, the depreciation expense for 1999 is:

a. \(\$ 36,000\).

b. \(\$ 40,000\).

c. \(\$ 44,000\).

d. \(\$ 80,000\).

e. \(\$ 88,000\).