Kalagara Outfitters neither sold nor repurchased any shares of stock during the year. The firm had annual sales of $$7,202,$ depreciation of $$1,196,$ cost of goods sold of $$4,509,$ interest expense of $$318,$ taxes of $$248,$ beginning$-$of$-$year shareholders' equity of $$4,808,$ and end$-$of$-$year shareholders' equity of $$4,922.$ What is the amount of dividends paid during the year?

a$.$ $$817$

b$.$ $$1,009$

c$.$ $$864$

d$.$ $$709$

e$.$ $$515$