Suppressor tax stamps are $0 in 2026: what changed and what didn't

For almost ninety years, buying a suppressor came with a $200 federal tax. That number was set in 1934 and never adjusted, which is why "the stamp" became shorthand for the whole NFA process. As of January 1, 2026, that tax is $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and AOWs.

That's real good news. It's also where a lot of people stop reading, and that's where they get into trouble. The tax went away. The registration did not.

What actually changed

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, reduced the National Firearms Act making and transfer tax to $0 for four categories of NFA items:

• Suppressors (silencers)
• Short-barreled rifles (SBRs)
• Short-barreled shotguns (SBSs)
• Any Other Weapons (AOWs)

That covers both the tax you'd pay to buy one of these from a dealer (the transfer tax, on ATF Form 4) and the tax you'd pay to build one yourself (the making tax, on ATF Form 1). The change took effect for applications on or after January 1, 2026.

What didn't change

This is the part that matters. Every one of these items is still regulated under the National Firearms Act, and the process is the same as it was when the tax was $200:

• You still have to register it. Buying from a dealer means an approved ATF Form 4. Building your own means an approved ATF Form 1 before you start making it.
• You still submit fingerprints and a photo. Same as before.
• You still notify your chief law enforcement officer (CLEO). A copy of the application goes to your local CLEO. It's notification, not permission, but it's required.
• ATF still runs a background check. On top of whatever check happens at the counter.
• You still wait for approval. You can pay for a suppressor at the shop the same day, but you can't take it home until ATF approves the transfer. No exceptions, no "I'll be careful with it."

There are a couple of other things people ask about:

• Machine guns and destructive devices are still $200. The $0 rate only applies to the four categories above.
• Interstate travel rules still apply. If you plan to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, federal law still requires ATF approval in advance on Form 5320.20. Suppressors and AOWs aren't covered by that particular requirement, but check the laws of wherever you're going.
• State law still matters. Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs are legal to own in Nevada when they're properly federally registered. Plenty of states are stricter. If you're moving, look before you pack.

Is it still worth using an eForm?

Yes. The tax going to $0 didn't change which method is faster. ATF's own published numbers show electronic Form 4s for individuals finishing in days, while paper takes weeks. We cover the current figures in How long does an ATF eForm 4 take in 2026?, and our NFA page shows ATF's latest processing times.

So what does a suppressor purchase look like now?

At a high level, the same as it always did, minus the $200 line item:

1. Pick your can. Come in by appointment, handle a few, and talk through calibers and hosts. We carry and can order from a long list of manufacturers.
2. Decide how you're registering it. As an individual or through a gun trust. We walk through the tradeoffs in Individual vs. gun trust for NFA items.
3. Pay for the item. It stays with us while the paperwork runs.
4. Submit the Form 4. Fingerprints, photo, CLEO notification, and the application itself. We help you get it right the first time, which is the single best way to avoid delays.
5. Wait for approval. We'll let you know when it comes back.
6. Pick it up. Bring your ID, fill out the pickup paperwork, and it's yours.

Common mistakes we're already seeing

A cheaper process attracts more first-time buyers, and that's great. A few things worth saying plainly:

• "It's free now, so it's not regulated." Wrong. Possessing an unregistered NFA item is still a federal felony.
• "I'll just put a longer barrel on it later." Configuration rules still apply. Assembling a short-barreled rifle without an approved Form 1 is still illegal, even for a few minutes.
• "The tax refund thing applies to me." If you paid $200 on an application before January 1, 2026, the new rate generally doesn't reach back to that payment. Don't count on a refund unless ATF tells you otherwise.

Where we fit in

We're a Type 07 FFL with Class 2 SOT status, which means NFA items are a normal part of our day, not a special order we fumble through once a year. If you're in Pahrump, Nye County or the Las Vegas area and you've been sitting on the fence because of the $200, the fence just got a lot lower.

Call us at (775) 471-9010 to set up an appointment, or start with our NFA and suppressor page.

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This isn't legal advice. Laws change; call us or check with ATF before you act.