On January $1,2020,$ BITCO began the year with a credit balance of $$20,000$ in the allowance for doubtful accounts. During the year, BITCO wrote$-$off $$18,750$ worth of accounts receivable. BITCO estimates that $10\%$ of the total accounts receivable balance will be uncollectable. The accounts receivable account shows a balance of $$250,000$ on December $31,2020.$ What is the amount of bad debt expense to be recognized during $2020?$

Group of answer choices

$$43,750$

$$18,750$

$$26,250$

$$23,750$

$$25,000$