Office Supplies recently reported $19,500 of sales, $8,250 of operating costs other than depreciation, and $1,750 of depreciation. It had $9,000 of bonds outstanding that carry a 7.0% interest rate, and its federal-plus-state income tax rate was 40%. How much was the firm's earnings before taxes (EBT)?
a) $5,981
b) $7,398
c) $7,870
d) $8,870