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ATF eForm and Form 4 Process
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Every year, thousands of new suppressor owners navigate the ATF Form 4 process and embark on their journey of suppressed shooting. And though it may seem confusing at first, it’s worth it to take the time to understand the steps involved.
The great news is that with recent legislative and procedural updates, that journey is becoming faster and cheaper than ever before. Thanks to streamlined eForm approvals and the upcoming tax change, exercising your rights to own suppressors and other National Firearms Act (NFA) items is no longer defined by long wait times and a heavy financial barrier.
Let’s go through the Form 4 process, outline the current lightning-fast wait times, and detail the historic change coming at the turn of the year.
What are ATF eForms / Form 4s?
The Form 4 is the paperwork required by the ATF when you’re purchasing an NFA (National Firearms Act) item.
It is an application for a tax-paid transfer and serves to register the item with the federal government. Completing the Form 4 requires:
- Personal or Trust/Corporate information.
- Fingerprint Cards for all responsible persons.
- Passport-style photographs for all responsible persons.
- A comprehensive background check.
- A Tax Stamp, which verifies the required federal tax was paid for the item.
The Form 4 is available as an eForm (Form 5320.4), meaning it can be completed and filed digitally through your dealer. This electronic submission is the reason for the dramatic reduction in current wait times.
The Historic Tax Stamp Elimination
The tax stamp has been a fixture of the NFA process since 1934, when the $200 fee was designed to be a prohibitive cost. After over 90 years, that barrier is finally being removed.
- The Change: As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21) signed into law in July 2025, the federal tax stamp fee for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs drops from $200 to $0.
- Effective Date: This change takes effect on January 1, 2026. Any Form 4 submitted on or after this date will no longer require the $200 payment.
- What Stays the Same: The paperwork, background check, registration, fingerprint, and photo requirements all remain in place. The $0 stamp eliminates the financial burden, but the regulatory process is still mandatory.
This marks the most significant reform to the NFA in nearly a century and is expected to make suppressors more accessible than ever before.
What Items Require an ATF Form 4?
You will have to fill out the ATF Form 4 for the tax-paid transfer of any NFA item. The items affected by the upcoming $0 tax stamp change include:
- Silencers (Suppressors)
- Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs)
- Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBSs)
- Any Other Weapons (AOWs)
Note: The $200 transfer tax remains in effect for Machine Guns and Destructive Devices.
The Streamlined ATF Form 4 Process
The process is simpler than ever, particularly with the widespread adoption of the eForm system.
- Buy your NFA item: The dealer will hold the item until the ATF approval process is complete.
- Certify the eForm 4: Your dealer electronically files the Form 4, along with your fingerprint and photo files (often captured by the dealer or a kiosk).
- Pay the Tax/Submit:
- Through 12/31/2025: You submit the $200 Tax Stamp fee.
- After 1/1/2026: No tax payment is required.
- Wait for Approval: The ATF processes your background check and application.
Pick up your item: Upon approval, the ATF emails the dealer the digital tax stamp document, and you can take your item home.
ATF Form 4 Wait Times: Faster Than Ever
The era of month-long or year-long suppressor waits is largely over, thanks to the eForm system and improved ATF workflows. The wait time is now highly dependent on the speed of the required FBI background check.
| SUBMISSION METHOD | CURRENT EXPECTED WAIT TIME (AS OF LATE 2025) |
|---|---|
eForm 4 (Individual/Single-Trustee) |
Days to 3 Weeks (Many approvals are clearing in under 5 days.) |
eForm 4 (Trust with Multiple Responsible Persons) |
3 to 8 Weeks (Requires multiple background checks.) |
Paper Form 4 |
Months (Still slow, often 3-4 months or longer.) |
Key Takeaway: The approval process is no longer a major deterrent. The faster you purchase and certify the eForm, the sooner you can have your suppressor in hand.
NFA Gun Trusts: The Post-Tax-Stamp Landscape
An NFA Gun Trust is a legal entity that can hold NFA assets, such as firearms and silencers. Though the $200 fee is being eliminated, the trust still provides significant benefits:
Shared Possession: The main advantage is allowing multiple people (Trustees) to legally possess and use the NFA item.
Estate Planning: It simplifies the inheritance of the NFA item without a future tax payment.
Compliance: All responsible persons listed on the trust must still submit fingerprints, photos, and pass the federal background check, regardless of the $0 tax.
The trust structure remains a highly useful tool for collective ownership and future planning.
Other Essential ATF Forms
ATF Form 1 (Application to Make and Register a Firearm): Used when you are manufacturing an NFA item yourself, such as a custom Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR) or Short-Barreled Shotgun (SBS).
ATF Form 3 (Application for Tax-Exempt Transfer): Used to transfer NFA items between two Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders, such as from a manufacturer to a dealer. This form is tax-exempt, and the average turnaround time is typically less than two weeks.
ATF Form 5 (Application for Tax-Exempt Transfer and Registration): Used for tax-exempt transfers (e.g., to a government entity or an inheritance transfer upon death of a registrant).
What the $0 Tax Stamp Means for Buyers
Demand Is About to Surge: The removal of the $200 barrier will bring a wave of new buyers. If there is a specific suppressor model you want, securing it before January 1, 2026, is advisable to beat the rush.
Potential Future Delays: While current wait times are fast, the anticipated surge of applications in early 2026 may temporarily overwhelm the ATF’s systems, potentially slowing future approvals. Many buyers are choosing to pay the $200 now to enjoy the shorter wait times and avoid the anticipated rush.
Immediate Savings: Every suppressor you buy after the effective date will instantly save you $200—money that can be put toward ammunition, accessories, or another can.
If you have any questions, speak to a qualified FFL who specializes in NFA transfers.
Stephanie Kimmell
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