So About This “No More Tax Stamp” Situation…
Okay. Let’s talk about it.
Everybody saw “$0 tax stamp” and started moving like suppressors and SBRs just became grab-and-go.
I get it. It sounds major.
As of January 1, 2026, the $200 federal tax payment for NFA items has been reduced to $0 for new submissions.
That part is true.
But don’t let the headline fool you.
The tax changed.
The rules didn’t.
This Applies to All NFA Items
This isn’t just suppressors.
We’re talking:
• Short-barreled rifles (SBRs)
• Short-barreled shotguns
• AOWs
• Anything regulated under the National Firearms Act
If it falls under NFA, the structure is still there.
- Form 4 for transfers.
- Form 1 if you’re building.
- Fingerprints.
- Passport photo.
- ATF approval.
- All of that still applies.
You’re just not attaching $200 anymore.
I’m Literally In The Process Right Now
I just got fingerprinted. Just took my passport photo. I’m filing eForm 4 electronically.
A quick scan of the card and like magic you now have a digital PDF fingerprint card. Digital submission is way smoother than the traditional paper method. But smoother doesn’t mean instant.
There’s still paperwork on the dealer side. A suppressor has to transfer between FFLs, that has to clear before your side fully moves.
That’s where people get confused.
There’s paperwork on your end.
There’s paperwork on their end.
And that’s why the timeline is what it is.
The Suppressor I’m Waiting On
For those wondering I’m waiting on a WhisperChicks 9mm suppressor.
Dark cherry finish. Beautiful. Designed with women shooters in mind.
It’s modular, so you can alter the configuration depending on how you want to run it. I love that flexibility.
I’ll do a full write-up on it once everything clears. Right now I just wanted to talk about the part people question the most, the process.
Fingerprints Still Matter
You still submit fingerprints with every NFA application.
If you go digital and get an EFT file, you can reuse that file for future submissions. That’s the route I took. Paper prints are still available, I went to my county jail to be fingerprinted and will transfer them to a digital file. The process is rather seamless, less than minutes and no cost to me.
Either way fingerprints are still required. Zero dollars does not mean zero process. Passport photos are needed with submission. You need a recent passport-style photo for every Form 4 submission. Every transfer. Every time. That doesn’t roll over.
Let’s Talk Gun Trusts
Now this part matters especially for families and businesses. If you file as an individual, you’re the only legal possessor.If you have a spouse, family member, or anyone who may be transporting your items, a gun trust might make more sense.
Everybody listed still has to:
• Submit fingerprints
• Submit paperwork
• Pass background checks
It’s more paperwork. However it makes shared access and transport legally cleaner and safer. There are various websites that will assist in the process. I’m currently weighing starting a gun trust or just doing the individual paperwork
DO YOUR RESEARCH. You may just be surprised of the benefits and how it be beneficial to you. The best part is even if you currently have individual NFA items they can always be transferred to a trust.
The Timeline Didn’t Disappear
Even with the tax payment reduced to $0, you’re still going to wait for your approval. Forms still get reviewed. Transfers still happen. Approvals still take time.
The entry cost dropped. The responsibility didn’t.
Bottom Line
The $200 tax payment is gone. Form 4 isn’t gone. Fingerprints aren’t gone. Photos aren’t gone. Approval isn’t gone.
More people are stepping into NFA items this year because it feels more accessible, which is great! I love that for us just be mindful that you have done the research to understand what comes with it as well as your state laws and regulations.
I’ll update this post when my WhisperChicks approval comes through so y’all can see what the real timeline looks like.
UPDATE
The entire process from start to finish was roughly three weeks. The suppressor is my first and I’m anxious to put plenty rounds though. Follow the process and go check them out for yourself. Videos are up on IG, let me know what you think. 🙂
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