Since 1934, federal law has required buyers to obtain a tax stamp and complete an extensive approval process for suppressors. However, almost ninety years after the National Firearms Act placed suppressors under strict regulation, 2025 is shaping up to be a watershed year.
This year, congressional reforms brought on a much welcomed change; they dismantled the $200 tax stamp. Additionally, this legislation has also changed how fast applications move through the system.
Understanding these changes, and what they mean vis-a-vis the cost, application and approval process, is important for anyone who is interested in buying a suppressor.
In this article, we will share a complete breakdown of what firearm owners should expect in terms of expenses, delays and legal requirements.
Regulatory Laws for Suppressors
Suppressors are one of the most strictly regulated firearms in the USA. Surprisingly in fact, in comparison to other countries, here, they are more tightly controlled for almost a century under the National Firearms Act (NFA).
If you own a suppressor or intend to buy one, there’s a whole set of federal as well as state-specific laws that you need to abide by.
Here’s an overview:
The National Firearms Act of 1934
The cornerstone of suppressor regulation is the National Firearms Act (NFA), which classifies suppressors alongside short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and other restricted items.
The NFA requires buyers to undergo federal registration, obtain approval from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and pay a tax stamp fee. Ownership without proper registration constitutes a federal offense carrying severe penalties.
ATF Application Process
Every suppressor transfer or manufacture must be documented on official ATF forms. Individuals purchasing from a dealer file Form 4, while those intending to build one themselves submit Form 1.
Each application requires a full set of fingerprints, recent passport-style photographs, and a detailed background check conducted through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). No suppressor can be transferred until the ATF grants approval.
Tax Stamp Requirement
Until the recent legislative change takes full effect, every approved suppressor application must be accompanied by a $200 federal tax stamp. This stamp is affixed to the approved form and serves as proof of lawful registration.
Although the upcoming law eliminates the fee beginning in 2026, applicants in 2025 remain responsible for paying it.
State-Level Restrictions
Federal approval alone does not guarantee legal possession. Suppressors are prohibited in certain states and subject to unique restrictions in others.
For example, while most states allow civilian ownership, jurisdictions such as California, New York, and New Jersey maintain outright bans. In addition, hunting with suppressors may be regulated differently from simple possession.
Ongoing Compliance
Even after approval, owners must maintain strict compliance. The suppressor cannot be sold, loaned, or moved across state lines without ATF authorization. Any violations risk both criminal prosecution and forfeiture of the device.
Suppressors Tax Stamp 2025: Legislative Update
In 2025, federal legislation introduced one of the most significant changes to suppressor regulation since the National Firearms Act was enacted.
The newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1), signed into law on July 4, 2025, directly targets the longstanding $200 tax stamp fee that has been a barrier for many prospective buyers.
Under this reform, the tax requirement for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and any other weapons will be reduced to zero beginning January 1, 2026.
While the financial burden is being lifted, it is important to note that the broader regulatory framework remains intact. Applicants will still be required to file the appropriate ATF forms, undergo a full background check, and provide photographs and fingerprints. The removal of the suppressor tax does not equate to deregulation; instead, it represents a cost adjustment while preserving the oversight structure of the NFA.
The legislation also creates a transitional period throughout 2025. Anyone filing an application before January 1, 2026, must still pay the $200 fee. Applications submitted on or after that date will be exempt.
This split timeline is expected to influence buyer behavior, as some owners may choose to file early to avoid anticipated backlogs, while others may prefer to wait to benefit from the savings.
In addition to the tax reform, the law places greater pressure on the ATF to modernize its electronic filing system. With the prospect of dramatically increased application volumes in 2026, the agency’s ability to manage filings efficiently will play a decisive role in whether wait times continue to shrink or return to past levels of significant delay.
Suppressor Tax Stamp Costs
The tax stamp has historically been one of the most visible barriers to suppressor ownership in the United States.
Although the legislative update passed in 2025 will remove the fee starting January 2026, firearm owners applying in 2025 must still account for this expense.
The History of $200 Fee
When the National Firearms Act established the tax stamp in 1934, $200 represented a prohibitive amount, designed to discourage civilian ownership of suppressors and other restricted firearms.
Adjusted for inflation, that figure would exceed several thousand dollars today. However, luckily, the fee itself never changed, and for decades it has remained a fixed $200, applied to each individual suppressor purchase.
Current Costs in 2025
As of this year, every suppressor transfer requires the $200 tax stamp in addition to the market price of the device. Buyers should also expect incidental expenses such as fingerprinting services, passport-style photographs, and dealer transfer fees.
These ancillary costs vary by state and by dealer, but the tax stamp itself has been the constant, non-negotiable requirement. Importantly, the stamp is tied to each item. For example, purchasing two suppressors requires two separate tax payments, regardless of whether the applications are filed together.
Post-Reform Costs Starting January 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, the tax stamp fee will be completely eliminated. This change significantly lowers the entry cost of suppressor ownership, especially for those purchasing multiple devices. However, while the federal tax disappears, the actual purchase price of suppressors will remain market-driven.
Popular models made from advanced alloys or designed for specific calibers will continue to command premium prices. Dealers may also adjust their pricing strategies in response to increased demand, potentially offsetting some of the savings gained from the removal of the tax.
Cost Considerations for Buyers
Prospective owners must weigh two choices: file in 2025 and pay the $200 tax to potentially avoid future backlogs, or wait until 2026 and save money while risking slower approvals. The decision ultimately depends on whether cost or timing carries more weight per the individual preference and budget for suppressors.
Processing and Approval Timelines in 2025
For many who are looking to buy the right suppressor, the length of the approval process is as significant as the cost. In recent years, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has made substantial progress in reducing delays, particularly with the introduction of its electronic filing system.
As of mid-2025, electronic Form 4 submissions are being processed with unprecedented speed. Individual applicants have in some cases received approvals in as little as two days, while trust applications typically take about three days. This represents a dramatic improvement compared to the months or even years that were once common for suppressor transfers.
The paper-based system, however, still lags behind. Applicants who submit physical forms can expect to wait significantly longer, sometimes weeks or months depending on the volume of requests.
The legislative reform passed in 2025 is expected to put these gains under strain. By eliminating the $200 tax stamp beginning January 2026, the law will likely create a surge in new applications once the fee no longer applies.
A sudden increase in volume could overwhelm ATF resources, particularly if budget constraints or staffing reductions limit the agency’s ability to process filings quickly.
For now, 2025 offers a unique window where approval times are at their fastest in decades. Applicants willing to pay the existing tax may secure their suppressor more quickly than those who wait for the tax exemption, which could coincide with a return to slower processing and longer backlogs.
Conclusion
In the article, we discussed how 2025 marks a turning point for suppressor regulation in the United States.
With the removal of the $200 NFA tax stamp in effect as of January 1, 2026, costs will decrease sharply for new applications, and ownership will become more accessible. However, regulatory hurdles such as background checks, ATF form filings, fingerprinting, and state-level restrictions will persist.
For those who value speedy approval, filing before the tax exemption takes effect may avoid increased demand and delays. For cost-conscious buyers, waiting could offer savings but require patience.
At LibertyCans, we lead the industry by combining precision engineering, top-quality materials, and lifetime guarantees. We do extensive R&D to ensure each model delivers enduring performance, whether for hunting, shooting sports, or professional use.
Browse our catalog today to find the best suppressor, or reach out to us with any questions; our team is ever-ready to help you make the right choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about the suppressor tax stamp.
Will previously purchased suppressors qualify for a tax refund once the fee is eliminated?
No. The legislation does not provide for retroactive refunds on tax stamps that have already been purchased. Any suppressor application submitted and approved before January 1, 2026, will remain tied to its original $200 fee. The tax exemption only applies to applications filed on or after the effective date of the law.
Can I transfer my suppressor to another person without going through the ATF process once the tax is gone?
The removal of the tax does not eliminate regulatory requirements. Suppressor transfers between individuals will still require ATF approval, completion of the proper Form 4, and a background check for the new owner. Only the $200 fee will be removed; all other legal obligations remain unchanged.