On January 1 of the current year , Barton Corporation issued 7 % bonds with a face value of $ 52,000 . The bonds are sold for $ 50,440 . The bonds pay interest semiannually on June 30 and December 31 , and the maturity date is December 31 , 5 years from now . Barton records straight - line amortization of the bond discount . The bond interest expense for the year ended December 31 is a . $ 303 b . $ 3,640 c . $ 1,560 $ 3,952