On January $1$Helmut pays $$2,000$ for a $10\%$ capital, profits, and loss interest in a partnership, which has recourse liabilities of $$20,000.$ The partners share economic risk of loss from recourse liabilities in the same way they share partnership losses. In the same year, the partnership incurs losses of $$6,000$ and the recourse liabilities increase by $$5,000.$ Helmut and the partnership use a calendar tax year$-$end. Helmut's basis at year$-$ end is