The long-awaited $0 tax stamp for suppressors and short-barreled firearms goes live in just 20 days — but a new ATF announcement may complicate things for buyers hoping to submit late-December e-Forms.

The ATF has confirmed a temporary shutdown of the e-Form portal beginning at midnight on December 26, 2025. This blackout allows the agency to update internal workflows, prepare for the $0 tax stamp transition, and clear remaining backlogs. But for anyone trying to file Form 4 applications this month, timing is now critical.

As of December 11, 2025, approval speeds remain shockingly fast:

• Individual e-Form 4: ~3.8 business days
• Trust/Corporate e-Form 4: ~5.4 business days

These are some of the quickest NFA approval times in modern history — but they likely won’t stay this low as the shutdown approaches and filings spike.

From Dec. 26 through year-end, no new e-Form submissions will be accepted. Drafts that aren’t submitted by the cutoff will be deleted. Forms submitted before the blackout will continue processing, though delays should be expected as the ATF braces for the January surge.

If you want to beat the shutdown and don’t mind paying the $200 tax stamp while it still exists, submit your application before Dec. 24. Many dealers plan to stop accepting submissions by mid-day on the 24th to avoid system lockouts.

When e-Forms reopen in early 2026, all Form 4 submissions will qualify for the $0 tax stamp. While the ATF claims approval speeds may eventually become even faster under the updated workflow, expect a significant rush. Processing times may jump before stabilizing.

If you want the fastest possible approval and don’t want to wait in the 2026 surge, now is the time to file. If you prefer to save the $200, wait until January — but expect longer queues as tens of thousands move to take advantage of the free tax stamp.

Stay informed, stay safe, and stay free.