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Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms service???

Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 5:54 pm
by solarguy
There are rumors that submitting your form 1's electronically, using the e-forms service of the BATFE might get you approved faster. Perhaps much faster.

Anybody do this yet? I want to submit two form 1's and have tried it a couple of time electronically. There are some gotchas...

You have to have a trust, period.

They recommend using Internet Explorer 8 as your browser, not chrome, not firefox, not IE9 or IE10.

I knew I had IE 10, and figured out how to get rid of that. Once you delete the IE10 "update" you should have IE 8 or 9 already there waiting for you.

Made an account, tried this, tried that, got to the appropriate forms. They are not like the paper Form 1's.

And it was glitchy, not allowing me to enter some required information into certain slots.

Eventually, I had trouble logging in because I had tried too many times, and it locked my acct. A couple phone calls later, it's unlocked and I can try again.


Any words of wisdom on the new version that is e-forms???


Thanks in advance,


troy

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 9:12 pm
by Tony M.
I filed an E-form the other day. I have no idea how much or if it will speed the process up, but I have hopes that it will.

For me, I updated my browser (Safari on a mac) and was able to get the forms to function properly.

I was able to enter all of my info as needed, but it did require doing things in a certain order. I had a minor issue with one of the entries. I received an email the next day requesting clarification, and 24 hours later received another email telling me the form had been successfully submitted. With a paper F1, that would have been kicked back as an error, and slowed the process by at least the additional mailing time.

I don't know if my experience will help you any, but I know for a fact that it CAN be done.

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 10:27 pm
by ChimeraPrecision
I submitted one on my ipad. With no problems at all.

It was through my corp, the atf emailed me two days later to verify.

Easiest form 1 ever

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:46 pm
by rem_pss308
So what about the fingerprints and the passport photo, Im interested in this so please tell me more. is there a link?

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:24 pm
by danb35
You can't use the eForms for anything that requires fingerprints/photos. So no individual applications, but for now, corps, trusts, and LLCs can be done.

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:58 pm
by danb35
I've been having some trouble myself registering for eForms. I don't have a computer with IE 8, but I do have Safari on my Mac. After I fill out and submit the registration form, the system appears to log me in--it takes me to a page with a few frames, and in the upper right it says "logging in for the first time" and then has a "log in" link immediately below that. However, when I attempt to log in again, I'm told that the username/password aren't valid, and when I try to use the "forgot password" link, I'm told the username (carefully copied from the one generated on the registration page) isn't valid.

Does anybody have experience with this issue, or suggestions to try?

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 6:55 pm
by danb35
I played around with it a bit more and tried using a different password. I'd originally used a randomly-generated password which started with the @ symbol; this time I tried beginning the password with a letter. Now it seems to have worked. So, looks like ATF and/or their contractors have a bug in the system such that starting the password with @ (and perhaps other characters as well) will cause the registration process to die silently. Now on to figure out the application (and how to enter the block 4h information on Form 1)...

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 7:49 pm
by CMV
danb35 wrote:.... (and how to enter the block 4h information on Form 1)...
Leave it blank

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 8:09 pm
by danb35
CMV wrote:Leave it blank
Really? I thought the engraving had to be specified there. Is it different with the eForms?

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:39 am
by CMV
If it is different the difference would be you need to fill it out. On a mail in form you can leave it blank.

You can put all the engraving info there if you want, just not necessary (unless different region examiners want to see different things - no problem leaving 4h blank from NC).

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:20 am
by danb35
Good to know--thanks!

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 12:36 pm
by Pat M
thanks for the new info guys.

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 6:31 pm
by T1000
'eForms Outage

Due to the lapse in appropriation of federal funds, the e-Forms system is temporarily suspended until further notice.
We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience.'


AHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHHA Lame

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 7:38 pm
by ChimeraPrecision
T1000 wrote:'eForms Outage

Due to the lapse in appropriation of federal funds, the e-Forms system is temporarily suspended until further notice.
We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience.'


AHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHHA Lame
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 3:20 pm
by danb35
For whenever they get the system back up and running...

I saw a link somewhere on ar15.com to an ATF eForms bulletin (https://www.dropbox.com/s/v2b3nox0djqjt ... -17-13.pdf) addressing a couple of issues I'd seen mentioned, including my password issue. In addition to all the password rules their site mentions (at least 12 characters, at least one uppercase, one lowercase, one number, and one special character), it also requires at least five letters in the password. This last requirement isn't stated anywhere on the page, but my experience is that registration will fail without warning, error, or any other notice if it isn't met.

Secondly, even though the Form 1 allows you to enter more than one firearm, it will only charge you the tax for a single firearm, you can only do one firearm per Form 1. If you've submitted a Form 1 with more than one firearm listed, the bulletin gives a point of contact to help fix it (presumably, once the government opens up again).

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 7:45 am
by danb35
Looks like eForms is back up.

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 1:53 pm
by joe0121
I dont see form 1 as an option on the e-forms only Form 6 and 6a did they stop doing the e forms now?

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 3:47 pm
by wp6529
Read the letter and the linked letter on the eForms page. They removed some of the forms temporarily while they work to upgrade system capacity. Once they have more capacity they indicate they will be adding form 1s and others back. Meanwhile they are processing form 1s that were submitted previously, some I submitted in mid Feb have recently gone approved.

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 3:49 pm
by joe0121
wp6529 wrote:Read the letter and the linked letter on the eForms page. They removed some of the forms temporarily while they work to upgrade system capacity. Once they have more capacity they indicate they will be adding form 1s and others back. Meanwhile they are processing form 1s that were submitted previously, some I submitted in mid Feb have recently gone approved.
It's a conundrum, Do I submit my paper Form now and wait the 9 months or gamble that the e form will be faster when it is available. Did you upload your trust document with the form 1?

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:31 pm
by wp6529
I did everything online, uploading my trust docs and whatnot. Personally, if I were needing to file at the moment I'd mail it, but as soon as eForms had form 1s again I'd do it online. You could then cancel whichever one took longer, or just keep the second approved form in the safe for a future build. Of course put different serial numbers on each application. $200 aint' much these days...

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 12:40 pm
by wp6529
A new email from ATF just arrived a few minutes ago which indicates they have made some performance improvements to eForms and have added form 1 back to the system.

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:00 pm
by joe0121
wp6529 wrote:A new email from ATF just arrived a few minutes ago which indicates they have made some performance improvements to eForms and have added form 1 back to the system.
Just go the same E-mail:

Good afternoon:

We are pleased to announce the following updates to the eForms system:

1. Performance enhancements – We were able to address some of the technical issues. You will see improvements in the overall performance of the system.

2. We are able to add the ATF Form 1 back to the eForms system. Our plans are to closely monitor the performance of the system in order to determine if we will be able to add additional forms back to the system.

Below is an update on the status on our processing of paper and electronic NFA applications. In the future, this information will be available through links on the eForms login screen:

In follow-up to ATF’s letter dated April 16, 2014, regarding the status of the eForms system; this update is being provided to inform the industry of ATF’s progress in addressing eForms and paper NFA applications. To accommodate the substantial increase in application volume that has recently occurred, ATF is working diligently to decrease processing times while continuing to enhance the eForms platform.

What is our progress to date?

From a peak of over 81,000 pending NFA applications at the end of February 2014, as of June 18, 2014, ATF has reduced the number to less than 63,000 applications pending (23% reduction in pending applications). In the last four weeks, although the NFA Branch received over 17,800 applications we processed more than 22,400 applications.

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 9:45 am
by Scared_of_zombies
wp6529 wrote:A new email from ATF just arrived a few minutes ago which indicates they have made some performance improvements to eForms and have added form 1 back to the system.
Much less "buggy" and faster than before, but my Submitted/In process forms that I submitted yesterday have disappeared from the start page. The submitted one from March is still there, though.

I have the confirmation email and payment emails for the new forms. Is that going to be enough? Does the ATF actually have them?

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:40 pm
by matrixcs
I just completed a new electronic form 1. Process was easy, I used Firefox run on a Linux machine with no issues.
Had the standard investigation of valid manufacturer for the Trust name entry.
Now lets see when I hear from them. :?:


update:

Aug 13 Approved
5 weeks...... :) :) :) :D :D

Re: Anybody done a form 1 using the new online eforms servic

Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:48 am
by joe0121
Just submitted another Form 1 e-file with a trust. Ten minutes start to finish. Went pending in ten minutes. According to NFA tracker it usually take a week or two to go pending when mailing in your form (shipping time etc) so even if it save a week it is worth it. According to the ATF they reduced their pending forms by a 1/3 over the last months. In other words they processed more forms than were submitted. So maybe in a few months wait times could go down to a few weeks instead of months. A guy can only hope.