At December 31, (before adjusting the accounts) the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts of a Company showed a debit balance of $2,000. An aging of the accounts receivable indicated that the amount expected to be uncollectible was $3,500. Under these circumstances, bad debt expense for the year would be:

Select one:

a. $3,500

b. $5,500

c. $1,500

d. $0

e. $2,000