Howard participates in his company's group insurance plan which provides him whth a monthly disability benefit of $ $1500.$ He and his employer both share the cost of disability premiums $\frac{50}{50}.$ Since becoming a member of the plan. both he and his employer have paid $$4200$ in group disability premiums. Since becoming a member of the plan, Howard has never filed a claim. In January last year, he was off work for eight months and received $$12,000$ in disability benefits.

What amount of the total benefits will be considered a taxable benefit to Howard?

Select one:

a$.$ $$7,800.$

b$.$ $$12,000.$

c$.$ $$4,200,$