Answer:
$288,000
Explanation:
Provided data includes:
Cost markup rate = 25%
Available inventory account balance = $440,000
Purchases total $344,000
Returned purchases amount to $16,000
Thus, Net purchase = total purchases - purchase returns
= $344,000 - $16,000 = $328,000
Sales executed during March total $600,000
Accordingly,
cost of products = 600,000 / 1.25 = $480,000
Therefore,
inventory cost = Available account balance + Net purchases - cost of sold products
or
inventory cost = $440,000 + $328,000 - $480,000 = $288,000