An aging of Castle Dale Company$$s accounts receivable as of December $31$ revealed the following:

Amount $\%$ Uncollectible

Current $$20,0002\%$

$130$ days $50,0004\%$

$3160$ days $30,0007\%$

Over $60$ days $10,00025\%$

Before any adjustment for the current year$$s bad debts, Castle Dale Company has a CREDIT balance in its allowance for bad debts of $$3,000$; this $$3,000$ represents the remaining allowance associated with accounts receivable created in prior years.

Castle Dale Company uses the aging method of estimating the allowance for bad debts and bad debt expenses. What is the BAD DEBT EXPENSE for THIS year?

$$10,000$

$$13,000$

$$7,000$

$$4,000$