IRS application of payments.

[GTS1101]

Does anyone out there know how the IRS applies payments. Let's say you owe for 2001, 02,03, 04, 05, 06, 07, &08. If you get a refund from 2009 do they automatically apply to 2001 oldest year back or is there a way to get the IRS to apply to the later years. My first thought is it is always applied to the oldest year first but I wanted to know if there was any exceptions or anyway around this to apply to later years.

Thanks!

GTS1101

[Lion]

Oldest

I think they apply to the oldest interest first, then penalty, then tax. But, you'll want to research with that many years outstanding.

[taxea]

they apply to oldest including penalties and interest and work forward from there. No exceptions,