A furniture manufacturer is planning on buying a new industrial sander costing $118,000. The sander has projected maintenance costs of $16,000 annually over the three-year life of the sander. At the end of the three years, the sander will be worthless and will be scrapped. The company has a 34% tax rate, a 16% discount rate, and uses straight-line depreciation over the life of a project. What is the equivalent annual cost?

a. $36,520

b. $51,311

c. $55,333

d. $68,540

e. None of the above.

Correct answer _____________________________