The ATF will shut down eForms for Form 1 and Form 4 submissions starting December 26 as it updates the system to reflect the new zero-dollar NFA tax taking effect January 1.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has announced a temporary shutdown of its eForms system following Christmas. The move is intended to update the platform to reflect statutory changes eliminating the $200 tax on certain National Firearms Act items.
The tax repeal applies to suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns and takes effect January 1. Once implemented, applicants will no longer be required to pay a federal tax to make or transfer those NFA-regulated firearms.
To accommodate the change, ATF’s NFA Division will suspend electronic submissions for Form 1 and Form 4. According to the agency, the shutdown will begin on December 26.
In a notice posted by ATF, the agency stated:
“On December 26, the eForms system will be temporarily unavailable while we upgrade the system to permit reduction to tax rates for certain NFA firearms.”
During the shutdown, no new Form 1 or Form 4 submissions will be accepted through eForms. The system is expected to reopen on January 1 with updated forms reflecting the zero-dollar tax.
ATF also confirmed that all Form 1 and Form 4 applications saved in draft status at the time of the shutdown will be permanently deleted. Applicants who have started but not submitted forms should take action before December 26 if they want their submissions preserved.
Completed applications submitted prior to the shutdown will continue to be processed. ATF stated that all Form 1 and Form 4 submissions received before December 26 will be handled before the system reopens in January.
The agency said the deletion of draft applications is necessary due to changes in form fields and formatting required by the new law. ATF also noted that the system update will add new functionality to Form 4 submissions.
Once eForms reopens, ATF plans to allow both qualified federal firearms licensees and non-licensee transferors to submit Form 4 applications electronically. That change is expected to expand access to eForms beyond its current limitations.
Gun owners planning NFA submissions should plan accordingly. Any unfinished eForm left in draft status after December 26 will be lost when the system goes offline.
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