The Accountant for Crusoe Company Is Preparing the Company's Statement

The accountant for Crusoe Company is preparing the company's statement of cash flows for the fiscal year just ended. The following information is available: $$\begin{array} { | l | r | } \hline \text { Retained earnings balance at the beginning of the year } & \$ 126,000 \\\hline \text { Cash dividends declared for the year } & 46,000 \\\hline \text { Proceeds from the sale of equipment } & 81,000 \\\hline \text { Gain on the sale of equipment } & 7,000 \\\hline \text { Cash dividends payable at the beginning of the year } & 18,000 \\\hline \text { Cash dividends payable at the end of the year } & 20,000 \\\hline \text { Net income for the year } & 92,000 \\\hline\end{array}$$ The amount of cash dividends paid during the year would be:

A) $48,000.
B) $46,000.
C) $8,000.
D) $64,000.
E) $44,000.