Have the returns been accepted per ProSeries?  If not, you have an issue.

OR

Do the returns have EIC, etc.... those refunds that the IRS takes a second look at?

But no, to answer your question, the IRS has NOT shut down.

"Returns prepared and efiled in the beginning of February are going nowhere"

Are you referring to returns that were transmitted to Intuit before the 2/12 IRS start date?

"Going nowhere" as in their status in your program?

"Where are the refunds?"

Have you or one of the clients used the "Where's My Refund" portal to see what it tells you about the return or the refund?

Millions of earlier filed returns are jammed up in processing....its not just your clients. 

The latest confession from IRS:  As of March 5, 2021, we had 2.4 million individual tax returns received prior to 2021 in the processing pipeline. Including current year returns, as of March 5, 2021, we had 9.2 million unprocessed returns in the pipeline.

My understanding is that IRS has a new computer that will immediately clear this backlog when installed.  Right now it's on a ship somewhere in the Suez Canal.

Seriously, as of March 19 IRS had received 76 million returns, about 73 million of them through e-filing.  They had started processing 68 million of them and issued 47 million refunds.  People were spoiled when things went faster in the Before Times.  It's not even April yet.  Here's a $1,400 check to tide you over.  

Thank you Lisa,

After speaking with an IRS representative last week, it seems like the IRS is

aprox 2 months behind.

What a tax season!

Regards

Joe LaPorta