On January 1 of the current year, Barton Corporation issued 12% bonds with a face value of $108,000. The bonds are sold for $102,600. The bonds pay interest semiannually on June 30 and December 31, and the maturity date is December 31, five years from now. Barton records straight-line amortization of the bond discount. The bond interest expense for the year ended December 31 is

a.$14,580

b.$540

c.$14,040

d.$6,480