As the deadline approaches to zero out the $200 NFA tax on suppressors, SBRs, and the like, the ATF is planning a week-long blackout for processing eForms starting Dec. 26 and ending Jan. 1.

While the move is described as an administrative pause, it has some serious consequences for anyone currently working on a transfer.

Here’s what you should know:

• All eForm submissions and certifications will pause at midnight on Dec. 26
• This blackout will run until Jan. 1 in preparation for the $0 tax implementation
• Any draft forms not submitted by Dec. 26 will be deleted
• Any form submitted before the Dec. 26 deadline will continue processing
• Current NFA processing times are just a few business days
• Expect a surge in new submissions and delays as the $0 tax goes into effect
• Starting Jan. 1, 2026, impacted Form 4 submissions will have a $0 tax stamp

“This is necessary to implement statutory changes contained within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which reduced the making and transfer tax for certain firearms to $0,” states the ATF’s eForms login page. “Deletion of all DRAFT applications is necessary because of the field and formatting changes required on the new forms, available January 1. This will also allow ATF to add additional functionality to the Form 4, allowing both qualified licensees as well as other transferors to submit Form 4 applications through the eForms system.”

Additionally, the ATF message states, “Photographs, fingerprints, and Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) notifications will still be required on January 1.”

What does that mean for you?

If all goes to plan, you can start benefiting from a $0 tax stamp at the start of 2026. However, there may be some administrative bumps along the way, and you must act ASAP to complete any current eForms you are working on before Dec. 26.

Failure to do so will delay your transfers and require new submissions to complete the process after the midnight deadline on Dec. 26.