$[$The following information applies to the questions displayed below.$]$

Five years ago, Kate purchased a dividend$-$paying stock for $$34,000.$ For all five years, the stock paid an annual dividend of $5$ percent before tax and Kate's marginal tax rate was $24$ percent. Every year Kate reinvested her after$-$tax dividends it the same stock. For the first two years of her investment, the dividends qualified for the $15$ percent capital gains rate; however, for the last three years the $15$ percent dividend rate was repealed and dividends were taxed at ordinary rates.

Note: Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your final answers to the nearest whole dollar amount.

a$.$ What is the current value $($at the beginning of year $6)$ of Kate's investment assuming the stock has not appreciated in value?

Current value