Alpha Computing's Retained Earnings account had a zero balance at the beginning of 2018. What amount of dividends did the company pay in 2018?

The company paid in dividends the same amount of the Net Income of the Year 2018

Explanation:

If the company keeps the retained gains at zero balance it means that each dollar the company gains during the year it's paid in dividends.

During the year the company gain money from its operations, the total Profit or Losses are reflected in the Financial Statements, if the company gains money and the Retained Earnings are zero, it means each dollar is paid in dividens, the amount available to paid is the Net Income of the Income Statement.