On January $1,2016,$ Mansfield Company has a retained earnings balance of $$256,000.$ During $2015,$ its net income is $$44,000$ and it announces and pays $$12,000$ in dividends. There is no other dividendrelated activity during the year. Its December $31,2016,$ retained earnings balance is $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.*$$$212,000*$$$288,000*$$$300,000*$$$224,000$