N-CSR 1 d47666dncsr.htm DTF TAX-FREE INCOME, INC. DTF Tax-Free Income, Inc.

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-06416

DTF Tax-Free Income Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

200 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60606

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Alan M. Meder

DTF Tax-Free Income Inc.

200 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500

Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

Lawrence R. Hamilton, Esq.

Mayer Brown LLP

71 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(Name and address of agents for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 338-8214

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2020

 

 

 


ITEM 1.

REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS

The Annual Report to Stockholders follows.


 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless specifically requested from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action.

You may elect at any time to receive not only shareholder reports but also certain other communications from the Fund electronically, or you may elect to receive paper copies of all future shareholder reports free of charge to you. If you own your shares directly with the Fund, you may make such elections by calling AST, the Fund’s transfer agent, at 1-866-668-8552 or, with respect to requesting electronic delivery, by visiting www.astfinancial.com. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary, please contact your financial intermediary to make your request and to determine whether your election will apply to all funds in which you own shares through that intermediary.

 

DTF Tax-Free

Income Inc.

 

 

Annual Report

October 31, 2020

 

LOGO

 


LETTER TO

SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

December 17, 2020

 

Dear Fellow

Shareholders:

 

THE CURRENT MUNICIPAL MARKET ENVIRONMENT AND YOUR FUND

We begin our discussion of DTF Tax-Free Income Inc. (the “DTF Fund” or the “Fund”) for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020, with a review of the municipal market environment in which the DTF Fund invests.

The municipal bond market experienced solid performance for the twelve months of the fiscal year ending October 31, 2020, although this performance time period could be easily characterized as a rollercoaster ride. The dominant theme for the municipal bond market for this period, as for all investment markets, was the COVID-19 virus and resulting pandemic. For the first four months of the Fund’s 2020 fiscal year (which began on November 1, 2019), the municipal bond market was firing on all cylinders with record demand, manageable levels of new issuance and municipal credit fundamentals that were significantly improved since the Great Recession of 2008-2009. Unfortunately, everything changed in March 2020 when the U.S. was hit by the virus. The market pivoted in what felt like warp speed from arguably the best market technicals ever recorded to technical conditions as bad as or worse than what the market experienced in 2008-2009. The tax-exempt municipal market began to experience significant bouts of extreme volatility in March that extended into April, resulting in yield increases on AAA-rated municipal bonds of almost 200 basis points compared to yields at the end of February. Capital flows in open-end municipal bond mutual funds rotated from record levels of inflows through the first two months of 2020 to weekly record outflows in March as investors retreated from the tax-exempt bond market. As concerns intensified regarding issuer credit quality, particularly those lower-rated credits deemed most vulnerable to economic dislocation as a result of the virus, credit risk spreads widened, sending yield increases on lower-rated bonds even higher than what AAA-rated bonds experienced. The market had seemingly become bifurcated between the strongest and weakest credits amidst record revenue declines, negative rating agency outlooks and downgrades, and uncertain market access for lower-rated credits. However, as the market moved from March into April, the federal government announced several fiscal and monetary relief programs that helped stabilize the tax-exempt municipal bond market, resulting in significant improvements in valuations for the market’s highest-quality issuers. This reversal in market sentiment persisted throughout the summer months and into the fall as demand for tax-exempt bonds remained strong while supply was easily manageable in the face of higher levels of coupon, maturities and call proceeds flowing back to investors. From the market’s weakest point in March to the end of October, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index (the Bloomberg Index) produced a total return of over 11.5%, while for the twelve-month period ended October 31, 2020, the Bloomberg Index total return was 3.6%.

For the twelve months of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, intermediate-maturity and higher-quality (AAA/AA) bonds produced the best relative performance, while longer-dated and lower-quality bonds were hit the hardest. After several years of steady investor demand for lower-quality, higher-yielding bonds (including below investment grade-rated securities, i.e., junk bonds, which the Fund is prohibited from purchasing), investors sharply reversed course in March and exited those riskier segments of the market in record amounts.    While junk bonds did experience a rebound in demand and subsequent price improvement throughout the summer and into the fall, valuations are still below their decade highs experienced prior to the pandemic. The end result was significant weakness in municipal junk bonds, as credit risk spreads returned to levels not seen in several years.

Mutual funds, individuals and institutions continue to wrestle with the negative credit impacts and risks associated with the virus for municipal bond issuers. After a prolonged environment in which all credits seemed to improve in unison, the market has renewed its focus on the creditworthiness of issuers across all sectors of the municipal marketplace. Municipalities had

 

1


made solid fiscal progress during the long economic expansion, building rainy day funds and improving pension funding ratios, and appeared better positioned for an economic slowdown. Consequently, few municipal issuers have experienced payment interruptions during this pandemic. Most of the recent payment defaults have been concentrated in lower-quality sectors such as retirement communities, land secured deals and student housing bonds. While we expect the inevitable downgrades from the major rating agencies to expand and possibly accelerate into 2021 as a result of the virus, we do not believe that most municipalities, especially the higher-quality bonds (AAA- and AA-rated) that constitute the majority of the Fund’s investments, will experience any level of payment interruption or default. The federal government has injected large amounts of cash into state and local municipalities and is considering even more aid to those state and local governments most impacted by the virus (although any additional stimulus seems unlikely until early 2021). While the economy is slowly returning to more normal levels of operation across the country and several recent vaccine announcements with promising results give hope, we are still expecting challenging times ahead for municipal credit as most municipalities continue to face uncertain revenue disruptions and increased expenses associated with the pandemic.

LOOKING AHEAD

The municipal bond market is expected to benefit from policies that have been put in place to help stabilize the economy during the current pandemic. Given the amount of government stimulus, it is difficult to imagine an environment of lower taxes and therefore less demand for tax-exempt income. While there is still much uncertainty as to future tax implications following the election, significant federal tax code changes appear unlikely if Republicans maintain their majority in the U.S. Senate. (The run-off election in Georgia for its two senate seats in January 2021 will decide that question, and will be pivotal for future federal tax policy.) Recent rhetoric regarding the unwinding of Trump’s corporate tax cuts, however, could potentially make municipal bonds more attractive to banks and insurance companies, boosting demand. As a result, we think solid demand is likely to persist, especially for a sector of the market that has historically held a reputation as a safe-haven investment.    That is not to say, however, that the entire municipal market will be immune from the challenges that the pandemic has placed on municipal revenues and expenses. While most municipalities came into the crisis far stronger financially than in previous economic downturns, many will likely be forced to manage with reduced revenue collections and face possible ratings downgrades. However, we believe the vast majority will recover without actually defaulting as we have seen during past economic slumps.

With the general consensus being that lower rates will persist for the near term, we expect that municipalities will benefit from lower borrowing costs, while municipals on a tax-adjusted basis will remain an attractive investment even at these lower yields. Despite the concerns surrounding lower rates, credit challenges, and likely ratings pressure, municipal bonds remain one of the lowest-risk, lowest-volatility asset classes and an important allocation for individual investors.

THE FUND

In managing the DTF Fund, we continue to emphasize our longstanding investment strategy of investing mostly in higher-quality investment grade rated “AA” and “A” callable revenue bonds with coupons of 5% or higher. Typically, during volatile periods like the market environment experienced in March and April earlier this year, these higher-quality securities have performed better than lower-quality bonds (BBB to junk rated), helping to support NAV stability.    As of October 31, 2020, the Fund held almost 90% of its total assets in municipal bonds rated “A” or higher and over 75% in bonds with a 5% or greater coupon across multiple sectors and states. The Fund did actively increase exposure to bonds with coupons below 5% during the fiscal year in an effort to add incremental yield to the Fund but without adding further credit risk. The Fund remains well diversified with exposure to over 15 industry sectors of the municipal bond market, with healthcare, pre-refunded, education, special tax, and transportation bonds representing the Fund’s top five sector exposures. The Fund continues to favor revenue bonds compared to general obligation bonds (approximately 84% revenue vs. 16% general obligation), as we prefer the predictable revenue streams, more settled legal structure and better post-default recovery rates that have historically characterized revenue bonds. The Fund is well diversified geographically, with exposure to 34 states and the District of Columbia. In an effort to manage interest rate risk, the Fund continues to maintain investments across the entire maturity spectrum of the yield curve in order to help moderate the risk from potential changes in interest rates and to the shape of the yield curve that could result from future market disruptions caused by the virus or changing investor sentiment. We continue to believe that higher-quality municipal bonds offer reasonably good relative value and that while investors are now being compensated with larger credit risk spreads for owning the lowest-rated bonds, uncertainty still remains surrounding the credit metrics for this segment of the market due to the virus and its future impact on the creditworthiness of many lower-rated municipal issuers.

 

2


As of October 31, 2020, the DTF Fund was paying a $0.48 per share annualized dividend and had a closing price of $14.21 per share. An extended environment of historically low municipal interest rates combined with periods of increased leverage costs have added a significant element of risk to leveraged municipal bond funds, including the Fund. When bonds held in a portfolio mature or are called for redemption during a period of low interest rates, the proceeds generally need to be reinvested in lower-yielding securities. If the cost of leverage were to rise without a similar or greater rise in the available re-investment rate for bonds called and/or maturing, the Fund’s earnings would likely be reduced. If the Fund’s net earnings were to fall short of its dividend payout, the Fund’s balance of undistributed net income would decline further, possibly necessitating dividend reductions.

Maturity and duration are measures of the sensitivity of a fund’s portfolio of investments to changes in interest rates. More specifically, duration refers to the percentage change in a bond’s price for a given change in rates (typically +/- 100 basis points). In general, the greater the duration of a portfolio, the greater is the potential percentage price volatility for a given change in interest rates. As of October 31, 2020, the modified adjusted duration of the Fund’s portfolio of investments was 5.3 years, close to the duration of the investments constituting the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index, which was 5.6 years.

In addition to the risk of disruptions in the broader credit market, the level of interest rates can be a primary driver of bond fund total returns, including the Fund’s returns. An extended environment of historically low interest rates adds an element of reinvestment risk, since the proceeds of maturing bonds may need to be reinvested in lower-yielding securities. As a practical matter, it is not possible for the Fund to be completely insulated from turmoil in the global financial markets, pandemics or unexpected moves in interest rates. Any sudden or unexpected rise in interest rates would likely reduce the total return of bond funds, since higher interest rates could be expected to depress the valuations of fixed-rate bonds held in a portfolio.    Further, if the municipal yield curve flattens (when the difference between short-term interest rates and long-term rates narrows) or inverts (when short-term rates exceed long-term rates), the Fund’s total return may be pressured lower. Management believes that over the long term, the diversification of the portfolio across multiple states and sectors, in addition to the distribution of assets along the yield curve, positions the Fund to take advantage of future opportunities while limiting credit risk and volatility to some degree. However, a sustained and meaningful rise in interest rates from current levels would have the potential to significantly reduce the total return of leveraged bond funds, including the Fund, and would likely put downward pressure on both the net asset value and market prices of such funds.

FUND PERFORMANCE

The following table compares the DTF Fund’s total return and the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index. It is important to note that the index returns stated below include no fees or expenses, whereas the DTF Fund’s NAV returns are net of fees and expenses.

 

Total Return1

For the period indicated through October 31, 2020

 
     One Year    

Three Years

(annualized)

   

Five Years

(annualized)

 

DTF Tax-Free Income Inc.

       

Market Value2

    3.6     4.2     3.3

Net Asset Value3

    3.4     3.9     3.6

Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index4

    3.6     4.1     3.7
1.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance in historical periods.

2. 

Total return on market value assumes a purchase of common stock at the opening market price on the first business day and a sale at the closing market price on the last business day of each period shown in the table and assumes reinvestment of dividends at the actual reinvestment prices obtained under the terms of the DTF Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. In addition, when buying or selling stock, you would ordinarily pay brokerage expenses. Because brokerage expenses are not reflected in the above calculations, your total return net of brokerage expenses would be lower than the total returns on market value shown in the table. Source: Administrator of the DTF Fund.

3. 

Total return on NAV uses the same methodology as is described in note 2, but with use of NAV for beginning, ending and reinvestment values. Because the DTF Fund’s expenses (ratios detailed on page 18 of this report) reduce the DTF Fund’s NAV, they are already reflected in the DTF Fund’s total return on NAV shown in the table. NAV represents the underlying value of the DTF Fund’s net assets, but the market price per share may be higher or lower than the NAV. Source: Administrator of the DTF Fund.

 

3


4. 

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index (formerly known as the Barclays Municipal Bond Index) is a market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the long-term tax-exempt bond market. The index is calculated on a total return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged, its returns do not reflect any fees, expenses, or sales charges, and it is not available for direct investment. Source: Bloomberg.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

At the regular September 2020 meeting of the DTF Fund’s Board of Directors, the Board declared the following monthly dividends:

 

Cents Per Share

 

Record Date

 

Payable Date

4.0   October 15   October 30
4.0   November 16   November 30
4.0   December 15   December 31

At the regular December 2020 meeting of the DTF Fund’s Board of Directors, the Board declared the following monthly dividends:

 

Cents Per Share

 

Record Date

 

Payable Date

4.0   January 15   January 29
4.0   February 16   February 26
4.0   March 15   March 31

ABOUT YOUR FUND

The Fund’s investment objective is current income exempt from regular federal income tax consistent with the preservation of capital. The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily (at least 80% of its total assets) in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade tax-exempt obligations. The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in the securities of issuers in a single industry; provided that, for purposes of this restriction, tax exempt securities of issuers that are states, municipalities or their political subdivisions are not considered to be the securities of issuers in any single industry.

The use of leverage enables the Fund to borrow at short-term rates and invest at longer-term rates. On November 2, 2020, the Fund issued $65 million of Remarketable Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (RVMTPs) at a more favorable cost to the common shareholders than the previous leverage source. The Fund used the proceeds of the RVMTPs to effect an early redemption of $65 million of Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (VMTPs) that were originally scheduled for redemption on January 31, 2021. The VMTPs were redeemed on November 12, 2020 for 100% of their liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends.

The RVMTPs have been privately placed with an institutional shareholder for its own account, and will pay dividends at a variable rate that is set weekly at a spread to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Index. The RVMTPs are subject to mandatory tender three years after issuance, but may remain outstanding either on the same terms or modified terms pursuant to agreement between the Fund and the holder(s) or under a remarketing process at such time. The newly issued RVMTPs, like the redeemed VMTPs, provide leverage for the fund’s common shareholders.

As of October 31, 2020, the Fund’s leverage represented approximately 33% of the Fund’s total assets. The amount and type of leverage used is reviewed by the Board of Directors based on the Fund’s expected earnings relative to the anticipated costs (including fees and expenses) associated with the leverage. In addition, the long-term expected benefits of leverage are weighed against the potential effect of increasing the volatility of both the Fund’s net asset value and the market value of its common stock. Historically, the tendency of the U.S. yield curve to exhibit a positive slope (i.e., long-term rates higher than short-term rates) has fostered an environment in which leverage can make a positive contribution to the earnings of the Fund. There is no assurance that this will continue to be the case in the future. A decline in the difference between short-term and long-term rates could have an adverse effect on the income provided from leverage. Prolonged periods of low longer-term interest rates can result in modest reinvestment opportunities for the Fund’s portfolio and could also adversely affect the income provided from leverage. If the DTF Fund were to conclude that the use of leverage was likely to cease being beneficial, it could modify the amount and type of leverage it uses or eliminate the use of leverage entirely.

 

4


On December 8, 2020, the Fund announced that it has commenced a cash tender offer (the “Offer”) for up to 17.5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”) at a price per Share equal to 98% of the Fund’s net asset value per Share (“NAV”) as of the close of the regular trading session (normally 4:00 p.m. New York City time) on the New York Stock Exchange on January 8, 2021 (or if the Offer is extended, on the next trading day after the day to which the Offer is extended). The Fund will repurchase Shares tendered and accepted in the Offer in exchange for cash. In the event the Offer is oversubscribed, Shares will be repurchased on a pro rata basis.

The Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on January 7, 2021, unless extended (the “Expiration Date”). The Fund may extend the period of time the Offer will be open by issuing a press release or making some other public announcement by no later than the next business day after the Offer otherwise would have expired. Tenders of Shares made pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date.

We continue to appreciate your interest in the DTF Fund and look forward to being of continued service in the future.

 

Timothy M. Heaney, CFA

Vice President and Chief Investment Officer

 

Nathan I. Partain, CFA

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements. Discussions of specific investments are for illustration only and are not intended as recommendations of individual investments. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein, are those of the portfolio managers as of the date of this report. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, and the views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. The DTF Fund disclaims any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein.

 

5


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2020

 

Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS—146.4%

 
 

Alabama—1.8%

 

  $2,000    

Jefferson Cnty. Brd. of Ed. Pub. Sch. Warrants,
5.00%, 2/01/46

    $2,355,220  
   

 

 

 
 

Alaska—0.3%

 

  290    

Anchorage Elec. Util. Rev.,
5.00%, 12/01/36

    336,327  
   

 

 

 
 

Arizona—3.8%

 

  1,350    

Arizona Brd. of Regents Rev., Arizona St. Univ.,
5.00%, 7/01/37

    1,614,276  
  650    

Arizona St. Hlth. Fac. Auth. Rev., Scottsdale Lincoln Hosp. Proj.,
5.00%, 12/01/42

    733,564  
  1,000    

Maricopa Cnty. Indl. Dev. Auth. Rev., Banner Hlth.,
4.00%, 1/01/34

    1,123,770  
  190    

Northern Arizona Univ. Rev.,
5.00%, 6/01/40
Prerefunded 6/01/24 @ $100 (b)

    221,016  
  310    

Northern Arizona Univ. Rev.,
5.00%, 6/01/40

    342,931  
  1,000    

Northern Arizona Univ. SPEED Rev., (Stimulus Plan for Econ. and Edl. Dev.),
5.00%, 8/01/38
Prerefunded 8/01/23 @ $100 (b)

    1,127,480  
   

 

 

 
      5,163,037  
   

 

 

 
 

California—18.1%

 

  1,150    

California St. Hlth. Facs. Fin. Auth. Rev., Kaiser Permanente,
4.00%, 11/01/44

    1,280,502  
  330    

California St. Hlth. Facs. Fin. Auth. Rev., Providence St. Joseph Hlth.,
4.00%, 10/01/36

    367,834  
  1,500    

California St. Hlth. Facs. Fin. Auth. Rev., Sutter Hlth.,
5.00%, 11/15/46
Prerefunded 11/15/25 @ $100 (b)

    1,840,125  
  100    

California St. Muni. Fin. Auth. Student Hsg. Rev., Bowles Hall Foundation,
5.00%, 6/01/35

    106,145  
Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
$ 1,000    

California St. Gen. Oblig.,
5.00% 10/01/28

  $ 1,172,970  
  1,000    

California St. Pub. Wks. Brd. Lease Rev., Dept. of Corrections and Rehab.,
5.25%, 9/01/29

    1,131,270  
  750    

California Statewide Communities Dev. Auth. Rev., Marin General Hosp.,
4.00%, 8/01/45

    777,593  
  600    

Contra Costa Cnty. Successor Agy. to Redev. Agy., Tax Allocation,
5.00%, 8/01/35, BAM

    731,946  
  1,000    

Garden Grove Successor Agy. to Agy. Cmty. Dev., Tax Allocation,
5.00%, 10/01/31, BAM

    1,195,240  
  2,000    

Gilroy Unified Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
4.00%, 8/01/41

    2,258,020  
  280    

Lancaster Successor Agy. to Redev. Agy., Tax Allocation,
5.00%, 8/01/33, AGM

    330,322  
  1,000    

Los Angeles Cnty. Santn. Dists. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 10/01/34

    1,208,270  
  250    

Palm Desert Successor Agy. to Redev. Agy., Tax Allocation,
5.00%, 10/01/28, BAM

    308,950  
  2,550    

Riverside Cnty. Sngl. Fam. Rev.,
7.80%, 5/01/21,
Escrowed to maturity (b)

    2,640,372  
  1,000    

San Jose Unified Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
4.00%, 8/01/42

    1,141,900  
  1,215    

San Marcos Successor Agy. to Redev. Agy., Tax Allocation,
5.00%, 10/01/32

    1,422,789  
  2,000    

San Mateo Successor Agy. to Redev. Agy., Tax Allocation,
5.00%, 8/01/30

    2,326,140  
  1,000    

Santa Clarita Cmnty. Clg. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
3.00%, 8/01/49

    1,050,110  
  1,000    

Temple City Unified Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
4.00%, 8/01/43

    1,124,710  
  1,750    

Univ. of California Rev.,
4.00%, 5/15/48

    1,994,632  
   

 

 

 
      24,409,840  
   

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

6


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
 

Colorado—4.2%

 

$ 555    

Colorado St. Hsg. & Fin. Auth. Rev.,
3.60%, 11/01/38

  $ 595,543  
  400    

Denver Conv. Center & Hotel Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 12/01/27

    433,496  
  1,000    

Eagle River Wtr. & Santn. Dist. Enterprise Wstwtr. Rev.,
5.00%, 12/01/42
Prerefunded 12/01/22 @ $100 (b)

    1,095,740  
  1,835    

Public Auth. for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purch. Rev.,
6.25%, 11/15/28

    2,329,276  
  1,000    

Univ. of Colorado Enterprise Rev.,
4.00%, 6/01/43

    1,135,000  
   

 

 

 
      5,589,055  
   

 

 

 
 

Connecticut—7.5%

 

  900    

Connecticut St. Gen. Oblig.,
5.00%, 9/15/35

    1,106,667  
  705    

Connecticut St. Gen. Oblig.,
4.00%, 4/15/38

    806,689  
  700    

Connecticut St. Hlth. & Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev., Hartford HlthCare.,
5.00%, 7/01/32
Prerefunded 7/01/21 @ $100 (b)

    721,518  
  1,000    

Connecticut St. Hlth. & Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev., Hartford HlthCare.,
5.00%, 7/01/41
Prerefunded 7/01/21 @ $100 (b)

    1,030,740  
  500    

Connecticut St. Hlth. & Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev., Univ. of New Haven,
5.00%, 7/01/43

    524,325  
  550    

Connecticut St. Hlth. & Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev., Yale-New Haven Hosp.,
5.00%, 7/01/48

    593,367  
  250    

Connecticut St. Hgr. Edu. Supplemental Loan Auth. Rev.,
3.25%, 11/15/36

    249,870  
  570    

Connecticut St. Hsg. Auth. Rev.,
3.00%, 5/15/33

    606,503  
  500    

Connecticut St. Hsg. Auth. Rev.,
3.20%, 11/15/33

    533,735  
  1,255    

Connecticut St. Spl. Tax Oblig. Rev.,
3.125%, 5/01/40

    1,325,267  
  1,000    

S. Central Connecticut Reg. Wtr. Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 8/01/41
Prerefunded 8/01/21 @ $100 (b)

    1,035,690  
Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
$ 1,300    

Univ. of Connecticut Spec. Oblig. Rev.,
5.00%, 11/15/43

  $ 1,567,735  
   

 

 

 
      10,102,106  
   

 

 

 
 

District of Columbia—0.9%

 

  1,000    

District of Columbia Gen. Oblig.,
5.00%, 6/01/43

    1,238,810  
   

 

 

 
 

Florida—21.2%

 

  755    

Brevard Cnty. Sch. Brd. Ref. COP,
5.00%, 7/01/32

    924,414  
  750    

Broward Cnty. Port Fac. Rev.,
4.00%, 9/01/49

    786,307  
  1,000    

Central Florida Expwy. Auth. Rev.,
4.00%, 7/01/36

    1,121,680  
  1,175    

Escambia Cnty. Hlth. Fac. Auth. Rev., Baptist Hosp.,
3.00%, 8/15/50, AGM

    1,193,624  
  2,000    

Florida St. Brd. of Ed. Cap. Outlay Gen. Oblig.,
5.00%, 6/01/41

    2,050,560  
  2,350    

Florida St. Brd. of Gov. Florida State Univ. Dorm Rev.,
5.00%, 5/01/33

    2,592,309  
  1,000    

Hillsborough Cnty. Aviation Auth. Rev., Tampa Int’l. Arpt.,
5.00%, 10/01/44

    1,114,470  
  500    

Lee Cnty. Tran. Fac. Rev.,
5.00%, 10/01/35, AGM

    578,690  
  1,080    

Miami Beach Hlth. Facs. Auth. Rev.,
Mt. Sinai Med. Ctr.,
5.00%, 11/15/39

    1,183,324  
  500    

Miami Beach Redev. Agy. Rev.,
5.00%, 2/01/40, AGM

    565,040  
  1,250    

Miami-Dade Cnty. Ed. Facs. Auth. Rev., Univ. of Miami,
5.00%, 4/01/45

    1,376,925  
  2,220    

Miami-Dade Cnty. Sch. Brd. Ref. COP,
5.00%, 2/01/34

    2,642,732  
  250    

Miami-Dade Cnty. Aviation Rev.,
5.00%, 10/01/32
Prerefunded 10/01/22 @ $100 (b)

    271,872  
  2,000    

Orlando and Orange Cnty. Expwy. Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/35

    2,210,200  
  1,000    

Reedy Creek Impvt. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
5.00%, 6/01/38
Prerefunded 6/01/23 @ $100 (b)

    1,121,420  
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

7


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
$ 2,035    

Seminole Cnty. Sales Tax Rev.,
5.25%, 10/01/31, NRE

  $ 2,746,151  
  2,190    

Seminole Cnty. Sch. Brd. COP,
5.00%, 7/01/33

    2,648,170  
  830    

S. Florida Wtr. Mgmt. Dist. COP,
5.00%, 10/01/35

    981,998  
  470    

Tallahassee Hlth. Facs. Rev.,
Tallahassee Memorial Hlthcare.,
5.00%, 12/01/41

    519,486  
  665    

Tampa-Hillsborough Cnty. Expwy. Auth. Rev.,
4.00%, 7/01/42

    751,164  
  985    

Tampa-Hillsborough Cnty. Expwy. Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/47

    1,164,378  
   

 

 

 
      28,544,914  
   

 

 

 
 

Georgia—0.4%

 

  500    

Atlanta Arpt. Passenger Fac. Charge Gen. Rev.,
5.00%, 1/01/32

    559,270  
   

 

 

 
 

Idaho—0.2%

 

  240    

Idaho St. Hlth. Facs. Auth. Rev.,
St. Luke’s Hlth. Sys.,
5.00%, 3/01/37

    290,434  
   

 

 

 
 

Illinois—13.1%

 

  500    

Chicago Multi-Family Hsg. Rev.,
4.90%, 3/20/44, FHA

    501,500  
  1,000    

Chicago O’Hare Intl. Arpt. Rev., Customer Fac. Charge,
5.125%, 1/01/30, AGM

    1,085,740  
  620    

Chicago O’Hare Intl. Arpt. Rev.,
5.25%, 1/01/42

    718,840  
  250    

Chicago Sales Tax Rev.,
5.00%, 1/01/30
Prerefunded 1/01/25 @ $100 (b)

    297,750  
  250    

Chicago Wtrwks. Rev.,
5.00%, 11/01/30

    298,372  
  650    

Chicago Wtrwks. Rev.,
5.25%, 11/01/32, AGM

    794,222  
  250    

Chicago Wtrwks. Rev.,
5.00%, 11/01/36, AGM

    297,607  
  865    

Chicago Wtrwks. Rev.,
5.00%, 11/01/44

    958,238  
Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
$ 170    

Illinois St. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
Advocate Hlth. Care Network,
5.00%, 5/01/45
Prerefunded 5/01/25 @ $100 (b)

  $ 204,629  
  1,055    

Illinois St. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
Advocate Hlth. Care Network,
5.00%, 5/01/45

    1,175,798  
  525    

Illinois St. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
Northwestern Memorial Hlthcare.,
(fka Centegra Hlth. Sys.),
5.00%, 9/01/42

    581,469  
  520    

Illinois St. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
Northwestern Memorial Hlthcare.,
5.00%, 8/15/37

    553,348  
  1,070    

Illinois St. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
Rush Univ. Med. Ctr.,
4.00%, 11/15/39

    1,150,657  
  1,000    

Illinois St. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
Rush Univ. Med. Ctr.,
5.00%, 11/15/39

    1,122,850  
  1,000    

Illinois St. Gen. Oblig.,
5.00%, 2/01/27

    1,093,430  
  2,020    

Illinois St. Gen. Oblig.,
5.50%, 1/01/29

    2,295,387  
  750    

Illinois St. Toll Hwy. Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 1/01/41

    884,378  
  330    

Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 6/01/27

    398,795  
  1,000    

Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement Auth. Rev.,
6.00%, 6/01/28
Prerefunded 6/01/21 @ $100 (b)

    1,033,230  
  1,000    

Sales Tax Securitization Corp. Rev.,
5.00%, 1/01/48

    1,126,820  
  1,000    

Univ. of Illinois Aux. Facs. Sys. Rev.,
5.00%, 4/01/34

    1,099,400  
   

 

 

 
      17,672,460  
   

 

 

 
 

Indiana—2.8%

 

  240    

Indiana St. Fin. Auth. Hosp. Rev.,
Indiana Univ. Hlth.,
5.00%, 12/01/28

    277,310  
  2,000    

Indiana St. Fin. Auth. Hosp. Rev.,
Parkview Hlth.,
5.00%, 11/01/43

    2,420,160  
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

8


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
$ 1,000    

Indiana St. Fin. Auth. Rev.
State Revolving Fund,
5.00%, 2/01/31
Prerefunded 2/01/21 @ $100 (b)

  $ 1,011,800  
   

 

 

 
      3,709,270  
   

 

 

 
 

Kentucky—0.8%

 

  900    

Kentucky Bond Dev. Corp.
Transient Room Tax Rev.,
5.00%, 9/01/43

    1,009,143  
   

 

 

 
 

Louisiana—4.8%

 

  1,250    

Louisiana St. Stadium & Exposition Dist. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/30

    1,354,288  
  605    

Louisiana St. Stadium & Exposition Dist. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/36

    649,123  
  1,250    

Louisiana St. Tran. Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 8/15/38

    1,383,250  
  300    

New Orleans Swr. Svc. Rev.,
5.00%, 6/01/44

    335,310  
  500    

Port of New Orleans Brd. of Commissioners Port Fac. Rev.,
5.00%, 4/01/33
Prerefunded 4/01/23 @ $100 (b)

    552,325  
  1,100    

Regional Tran. Auth. Sales Tax Rev.,
5.00%, 12/01/30, AGM
Refunded 12/01/20 @ $100 (b)

    1,104,092  
  1,000    

Terrebonne Parish Consol. Wtrwks.
Dist. No. 1 Rev.,
5.00%, 11/01/37
Prerefunded 11/01/22 @ $100 (b)

    1,092,130  
   

 

 

 
      6,470,518  
   

 

 

 
 

Maine—1.7%

 

  95    

Maine St. Hlth. & Hgr. Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/33,
Prerefunded 7/01/23 @ $100 (b)

    106,637  
  905    

Maine St. Hlth. & Hgr. Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/33

    986,151  
  610    

Portland General Arpt. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/31

    663,265  
  540    

Portland General Arpt. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/32

    586,121  
   

 

 

 
      2,342,174  
   

 

 

 
Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
 

Maryland—0.8%

 

$ 1,000    

Maryland St. Hlth. & Hgr. Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev., Luminis Hlth.,
5.00%, 7/01/39

  $ 1,104,020  
   

 

 

 
 

Massachusetts—6.1%

 

  3,000    

Massachusetts St. Bay Trans. Auth. Rev.,
5.50%, 7/01/29, NRE

    4,128,540  
  1,000    

Massachusetts St. Gen. Oblig.,
5.25%, 9/01/25, AGM

    1,233,510  
  1,000    

Massachusetts St. Gen. Oblig.,
5.50%, 8/01/30, AMBAC

    1,399,000  
  300    

Massachusetts St. Hsg. Fin. Agy. Rev.,
3.00%, 12/01/45

    307,593  
  1,000    

Massachusetts St. Port Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/47

    1,163,170  
   

 

 

 
      8,231,813  
   

 

 

 
 

Michigan—2.6%

 

  1,000    

Holland Elec. Util. Sys. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/39

    1,029,720  
  550    

Michigan St. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
Beaumont Hlth. Credit Group,
5.00%, 11/01/44

    623,629  
  540    

Michigan St. Bldg. Auth. Rev.,
4.00%, 10/15/36

    604,481  
  1,000    

Michigan St. Hsg. Dev. Auth. Rev.,
2.80%, 12/01/45

    985,820  
  225    

Royal Oak Hosp. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
William Beaumont Hosp.,
5.00%, 9/01/39

    250,596  
   

 

 

 
      3,494,246  
   

 

 

 
 

Minnesota—0.2%

 

  270    

Minnesota St. Hsg. Fin. Agy.,
2.70%, 7/01/44

    273,232  
   

 

 

 
 

Mississippi—0.5%

 

  600    

Mississippi St. Gen. Oblig.,
4.00%, 10/01/39

    706,782  
   

 

 

 
 

Nebraska—2.2%

 

  500    

Nebraska St. Pub. Pwr. Dist. Gen. Rev.,
5.00%, 1/01/34

    522,645  
  1,900    

Omaha Gen. Oblig.,
5.25%, 4/01/27

    2,452,957  
   

 

 

 
      2,975,602  
   

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

9


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
 

New Jersey—2.1%

 

$ 400    

Camden Cnty. Impvt. Auth. Hlthcare. Redev. Rev., Cooper Hlth. Sys.,
5.00%, 2/15/33

  $ 436,972  
  240    

New Jersey St. Tpk. Auth. Rev.,
4.00%, 1/01/35

    272,729  
  1,750    

Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. Rev.,
5.25%, 6/01/46

    2,047,448  
   

 

 

 
      2,757,149  
   

 

 

 
 

New York—10.1%

 

  1,000    

Albany Indl. Dev. Agy. Rev., Brighter Choice Charter Sch.,
5.00%, 4/01/32

    1,001,050  
  300    

Buffalo and Erie Cnty. Indl. Land. Dev. Rev., Catholic Hlth. Sys.,
5.25%, 7/01/35

    339,348  
  235    

Long Island Pwr. Auth. Elec. Sys. Gen. Rev.,
5.00%, 9/01/42
Prerefunded 9/01/22 @ $100 (b)

    255,478  
  465    

Long Island Pwr. Auth. Elec. Sys. Gen. Rev.,
5.00%, 9/01/42

    491,928  
  530    

Long Island Pwr. Auth. Elec. Sys. Gen. Rev.,
5.00%, 9/01/42

    636,143  
  600    

New York Cntys. Tobacco Trust VI Rev.,
5.00%, 6/01/45

    629,712  
  1,010    

New York City Mun. Wtr. Fin. Auth., Wtr. & Swr. Sys. Rev.,
5.00%, 6/15/34

    1,126,251  
  660    

New York City Mun. Wtr. Fin. Auth., Wtr. & Swr. Sys. Rev.,
5.375%, 6/15/43
Prerefunded 12/15/20 @ $100 (b)

    664,000  
  340    

New York City Mun. Wtr. Fin. Auth., Wtr. & Swr. Sys. Rev.,
5.375%, 6/15/43

    342,060  
  1,000    

New York City Mun. Wtr. Fin. Auth., Wtr. & Swr. Sys. Rev.,
5.50%, 6/15/43
Prerefunded 12/15/20 @ $100 (b)

    1,006,260  
  1,185    

New York City Transitional Fin. Auth. Rev.,
3.00%, 5/01/45

    1,217,860  
Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
$ 2,000    

New York St. Dorm. Auth., Personal Inc. Tax Rev.,
5.00%, 03/15/31

  $ 2,338,220  
  1,000    

New York St. Dorm. Auth., Personal Inc. Tax Rev.,
5.00%, 3/15/42

    1,218,480  
  900    

Port Auth. of New York and New Jersey Rev.,
5.00%, 6/01/33

    1,003,113  
  500    

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 11/15/30

    551,475  
  195    

TSASC Inc. Tobacco Settlement Rev.,
5.00%, 6/01/34

    229,439  
  400    

Utility Debt Securitization Auth., Restructuring Rev.,
5.00%, 12/15/31

    455,624  
   

 

 

 
      13,506,441  
   

 

 

 
 

North Carolina—0.2%

 

  250    

North Carolina St. Hsg. Fin. Agy. Rev.,
2.85%, 1/01/43

    256,875  
   

 

 

 
 

Ohio—3.6%

 

  775    

Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Fin. Auth. Rev.,
4.00%, 6/01/48

    840,030  
  630    

Deerfield Twp. Tax Increment Rev.,
5.00%, 12/01/25

    632,142  
  570    

Northeast Ohio Regl. Swr. Dist. Rev.,
4.00%, 11/15/43

    651,493  
  2,000    

Ohio St. Hosp. Rev.,
Univ. Hosp. Hlth. Sys.,
4.00%, 1/15/44

    2,115,840  
  600    

Ohio St. Hsg. Fin. Agy. Rev.,
2.45%, 9/01/45

    598,470  
   

 

 

 
      4,837,975  
   

 

 

 
 

Oregon—1.8%

 

  500    

Oregon St. Gen. Oblig.,
5.00%, 5/01/41

    598,055  
  570    

Port of Portland Intl. Arpt. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/32

    637,767  
  1,000    

Washington Cnty. Sch. Dist. 48J (Beaverton), Gen. Oblig.
5.00%, 6/15/36

    1,234,450  
   

 

 

 
      2,470,272  
   

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

10


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
 

Pennsylvania—3.5%

 

$ 2,000    

Delaware River Port Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 1/01/34

  $ 2,241,720  
  375    

Pennsylvania St. Tpk. Commision Rev.,
6.375%, 12/01/38

    483,270  
  2,000    

Philadelphia Wtr. & Wstwtr. Rev.,
5.00%, 1/01/41
Prerefunded 1/01/21 @ $100 (b)

    2,015,380  
   

 

 

 
      4,740,370  
   

 

 

 
 

Rhode Island—2.2%

 

  1,070    

Rhode Island St. Clean Wtr. Fin. Agy., Wtr. Poll. Control Rev. (Green Bonds),
5.00%, 10/01/32

    1,254,168  
  1,600    

Rhode Island St. Hlth. & Edl. Bldg. Corp., Higher Ed. Facs. Rev.,
Providence College,
5.00%, 11/01/41

    1,646,544  
   

 

 

 
      2,900,712  
   

 

 

 
 

South Carolina—1.9%

 

  2,000    

Charleston Cnty. Spl. Source Rev.,
5.00%, 12/01/32

    2,262,900  
  290    

SCAGO Edl. Facs. Corp. Rev.,
Pickens Cnty. Sch. Dist.,
5.00%, 12/01/24

    338,990  
   

 

 

 
      2,601,890  
   

 

 

 
 

Tennessee—3.9%

 

  250    

Chattanooga-Hamilton Cnty. Hosp. Auth. Rev., Erlanger Hlth. Sys.,
5.00%, 10/01/34

    271,510  
  1,000    

Tennessee St. Energy Acquisition Corp. Rev.,
5.25%, 9/01/21

    1,038,240  
  495    

Tennessee St. Hsg. Dev. Agy.,
3.625%, 7/01/32

    527,447  
  460    

Tennessee St. Hsg. Dev. Agy.,
3.90%, 7/01/42

    499,105  
  485    

Tennessee St. Hsg. Dev. Agy.,
4.00%, 7/01/43

    526,167  
  2,000    

Tennessee St. Sch. Bond Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 11/01/42

    2,438,080  
   

 

 

 
      5,300,549  
   

 

 

 
 

Texas—14.7%

 

  850    

Austin Indep. Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
4.00%, 8/01/36, PSF

    970,352  
Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
$ 500    

Cypress-Fairbanks Indep. Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
2.25%, 2/15/43, PSF

  $ 493,275  
  500    

Cypress-Fairbanks Indep. Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
2.25%, 2/15/44, PSF

    489,300  
  500    

Cypress-Fairbanks Indep. Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
2.25%, 2/15/45, PSF

    485,600  
  650    

Dallas Area Rapid Transit Rev.,
5.00%, 12/01/41

    777,699  
  500    

Houston Arpt. Sys. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/32
Prerefunded 7/01/22 @ $100 (b)

    536,735  
  1,250    

Houston Arpt. Sys. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/39

    1,495,838  
  1,000    

Houston Hotel Occupancy Tax & Spl. Rev.,
5.25%, 9/01/29

    1,013,750  
  1,410    

Houston Util. Sys. Rev.,
5.00%, 11/15/32
Prerefunded 11/15/23 @ $100 (b)

    1,610,417  
  1,625    

Keller Indep. Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
4.00%, 2/15/47, PSF

    1,901,055  
  1,000    

Klein Indep. Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
3.00%, 8/01/46, PSF

    1,090,210  
  1,000    

Lewisville Indep. Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig.,
3.00%, 8/15/39, PSF

    1,076,860  
  1,505    

North Texas Twy. Auth. Rev., Convertible CAB,
0.00%, 9/01/43
Prerefunded 9/01/31 @ $100 (b)

    2,044,527  
  1,000    

North Texas Twy. Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 1/01/31

    1,164,960  
  1,135    

North Texas Twy. Auth. Rev.,
4.00%, 1/01/43

    1,279,769  
  700    

San Antonio Indep. Sch. Dist. Sch. Bldg. Gen. Oblig.,
5.00%, 8/15/38, PSF

    849,891  
  250    

Spring Branch Indep. Sch. Dist. Sch. Bldg. Gen. Oblig.,
3.00%, 2/01/43, PSF

    266,433  
  1,000    

Texas St. Wtr. Development Brd. Rev.,
St. Wtr. Implementation Fund,
4.00%, 10/15/47

    1,145,650  
  1,000    

Upper Trinity Reg. Wtr. Dist. Rev.,
4.00%, 8/01/37, AGM

    1,048,830  
   

 

 

 
      19,741,151  
   

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

11


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

Principal
Amount
(000)
   

Description (a)

  Value  
 

Vermont—2%

 

$ 2,000    

Univ. of Vermont & St. Agric. College Gen. Oblig.,
5.00%, 10/01/38

  $ 2,134,260  
  500    

Vermont St. Edl. and Hlth. Bldg. Fin. Agy. Rev.,
Univ. of Vermont Med. Center,
5.00%, 12/01/35

    579,325  
   

 

 

 
      2,713,585  
   

 

 

 
 

Virginia—2.8%

 

  1,250    

Riverside Regl. Jail Auth. Fac. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/26

    1,511,000  
  2,000    

Virginia St. College Bldg. Auth. Rev.,
5.00%, 2/01/23

    2,212,980  
   

 

 

 
      3,723,980  
   

 

 

 
 

Washington—2.2%

 

  1,700    

King Cnty. Gen. Oblig.,
Adjustable Rate Bond,
0.11%, 1/01/46

    1,700,000  
  1,000    

King Cnty. Swr. Rev.,
5.00%, 7/01/41

    1,201,920  
   

 

 

 
      2,901,920  
   

 

 

 
 

Wisconsin—1.4%

 

  1,400    

Wisconsin St. Pub. Fin. Auth. Hosp. Rev., Renown Reg. Med. Ctr.,
5.00%, 6/01/40

    1,615,530  
  250    

Wisconsin St. Pub. Fin. Auth., Solid Waste Disp. Rev.,
2.875%, 5/01/27

    265,753  
   

 

 

 
      1,881,283  
   

 

 

 
 

Total Long-Term Investments
(Cost $183,253,364)

    196,912,425  
   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—146.4%

 

 

(Cost $183,253,364)

    196,912,425  
 

Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares at liquidation value—(48.3)%

    (65,000,000
 

Other assets less other liabilities—1.9%

    2,589,041  
   

 

 

 
 

NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK—100.0%

    $134,501,466  
   

 

 

 
(a)

The following abbreviations are used in the portfolio descriptions:

AGM—Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.*

AMBAC—Ambac Assurance Corporation*

BAM—Build America Mutual Assurance Company*

CAB—Capital Appreciation Bond

COP—Certificate of Participation

FHA—Federal Housing Authority*

NRE—National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation*

PSF—Texas Permanent School Fund*

*

Indicates an obligation of credit support, in whole or in part.

(b)

Prerefunded and escrowed to maturity issues are secured by escrowed cash, U.S. government obligations, or other securities.

The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of that category as a percentage of the net assets applicable to common stock of the Fund.

The Fund’s investments are carried at fair value which is defined as the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. The three- tier hierarchy of inputs established to classify fair value measurements for disclosure purposes is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

Level 1—

quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2—

other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.).

Level 3—

significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each of the Fund’s investments at October 31, 2020:

 

     Level 2  

Municipal bonds

     $196,912,425  
  

 

 

 

There were no Level 1 or Level 3 priced securities held and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

12


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

Summary of Ratings

as a Percentage of Long-Term Investments

(Unaudited)

 

Rating*

   %  

AAA

     8.9  

AA

     43.1  

A

     37.8  

BBB

     6.9  

BB

     0.8  

B

     0.0  

NR

     2.5  
  

 

 

 
     100.0  
  

 

 

 

 

*

Individual ratings are grouped based on the lower rating of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and are expressed using the S&P ratings scale. If a particular security is rated by either S&P or Moody’s, but not both, then the single rating is used. If a particular security is not rated by either S&P or Moody’s, then a rating from Fitch Ratings, Inc. is used, if available. The Fund does not evaluate these ratings but simply assigns them to the appropriate credit quality category as determined by the ratings agencies, as applicable. Securities that have not been rated by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch totaled 2.5% of the portfolio at the end of the reporting period.

Portfolio Composition

as a Percentage of Total Investments

(Unaudited)

 

     %  

General Obligation

     16.4  

Healthcare

     12.0  

Pre-Refunded

     11.9  

Special Tax

     11.4  

Education

     11.1  

Transportation

     7.4  

Water & Sewer

     5.4  

Leasing

     4.7  

Airports

     4.1  

Tax Allocation

     3.8  

Other

     11.8  
  

 

 

 
     100.0  
  

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

13


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2020

 

ASSETS:

  

Investments, at value (cost $183,253,364)

     $196,912,425  

Cash

     1,622,748  

Interest receivable

     2,562,048  

Prepaid expenses

     16,015  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     201,113,236  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

  

Payable for securities purchased

     1,452,110  

Investment advisory fee (Note 3)

     84,583  

Administrative fee (Note 3)

     15,975  

Accrued expenses

     67,177  

Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (650 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation preference $100,000 per share, net of deferred offering costs of $8,075) (Note 7)

     64,991,925  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     66,611,770  
  

 

 

 
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK      $134,501,466  
  

 

 

 

CAPITAL:

  

Common stock ($0.01 par value per share; 599,997,400 shares authorized, 8,520,685 issued and outstanding)

     $85,207  

Additional paid-in capital

     120,081,388  

Total distributable earnings

     14,334,871  
  

 

 

 

Net assets applicable to common stock

     $134,501,466  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

     $15.79  
  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

14


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the year ended October 31, 2020

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

  

Interest

     $6,841,901  
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

  

Interest expense and amortization of deferred offering costs on preferred shares (Note 7)

     1,436,250  

Investment advisory fees (Note 3)

     994,561  

Administrative fees (Note 3)

     187,477  

Professional fees

     144,940  

Reports to shareholders

     70,800  

Custodian fees

     62,300  

Directors’ fees

     39,437  

Transfer agent fees

     31,575  

Other expenses

     79,020  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     3,046,360  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     3,795,541  
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS):

  

Net realized loss on investments

     (3,640

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     644,723  
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     641,083  
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

     $4,436,624  
  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

15


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     For the
year ended
October 31, 2020
    For the
year ended
October 31, 2019
 

OPERATIONS:

    

Net investment income

     $3,795,541       $3,370,738  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (3,640     74,799  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     644,723       10,883,797  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets applicable to common stock resulting from operations

     4,436,624       14,329,334  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:

    

Net investment income and net realized gains

     (4,139,715     (4,674,713
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets from distributions to common stockholders (Note 5)

     (4,139,715     (4,674,713
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     296,909       9,654,621  

TOTAL NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK:

    

Beginning of year

     134,204,557       124,549,936  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

     $134,501,466       $134,204,557  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

16


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended October 31, 2020

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

    

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Interest received

     $8,456,927    

Expenses paid

     (1,644,121  

Interest expense paid

     (1,379,114  

Purchase of investment securities

     (27,132,087  

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities

     26,366,626    
  

 

 

   

Net cash provided by operating activities

       $4,668,231  

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:

    

Distributions paid

     (4,139,715  
  

 

 

   

Net cash used in financing activities

       (4,139,715
    

 

 

 

Net increase in cash

       528,516  

Cash-beginning of year

       1,094,232  
    

 

 

 

Cash-end of year

       $1,622,748  
    

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       $4,436,624  

Purchase of investment securities

     (27,132,087  

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities

     26,366,626    

Net amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities

     1,511,207    

Amortization of deferred offering costs

     32,124    

Net realized loss on investments

     3,640    

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     (644,723  

Decrease in interest receivable

     103,819    

Decrease in accrued expenses

     (8,999  
  

 

 

   

Total adjustments

       231,607  
    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

       $4,668,231  
    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

17


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—SELECTED PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS

The table below provides information about income and capital changes for a share of common stock outstanding throughout the years indicated (excluding supplemental data provided below):

 

     For the year ended October 31,  
PER SHARE DATA:    2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of year

     $15.75       $14.62       $15.69       $16.31       $16.31  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

     0.44       0.39       0.47       0.54       0.57  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.08       1.29       (0.92     (0.41     0.30  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations applicable to common stock

     0.52       1.68       (0.45     0.13       0.87  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions on common stock:

          

Net investment income

     (0.48     (0.43     (0.59     (0.70     (0.84

Net realized gains

     (1)      (0.12     (0.03     (0.05     (0.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.48     (0.55     (0.62     (0.75     (0.87
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

     $15.79       $15.75       $14.62       $15.69       $16.31  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share market value, end of year

     $14.21       $14.18       $12.34       $14.16       $15.08  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK:           

Operating expenses

     2.27     2.87     2.58     2.29     2.16

Operating expenses, without leverage

     1.17     1.14     1.16     1.15     1.13

Net investment income

     2.83     2.58     3.10     3.42     3.45
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:           

Total return on market value(2)

     3.62     19.70     (8.72 )%      (1.21 )%      5.31

Total return on net asset value(2)

     3.39     11.67     (2.94 )%      0.95     5.41

Portfolio turnover rate

     13     10     23     17     14

Net assets applicable to common stock, end of year (000’s omitted)

     $134,501       $134,205       $124,550       $133,688       $138,973  

Preferred stock outstanding, end of year (000’s omitted)(3)

     $65,000       $65,000       $65,000       $65,000       $65,000  

Asset coverage on preferred stock(4)

     $306,925       $306,469       $291,615       $305,674       $313,804  

Asset coverage ratio on preferred stock(5)

     307     306     292     306     314

 

(1) 

Amount per share is less than $0.01.

(2) 

Total return on market value assumes a purchase of common stock at the opening market price on the first business day and a sale at the closing market price on the last business day of each year shown in the table and assumes reinvestment of dividends at the actual reinvestment prices obtained under the terms of the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return on net asset value uses the same methodology, but with use of net asset value for beginning, ending and reinvestment values.

(3) 

The Fund’s preferred stock is not publicly traded.

(4) 

Represents value of net assets applicable to common stock plus preferred stock outstanding at year end divided by the preferred stock outstanding at year end, calculated per $100,000 liquidation preference per share of preferred stock.

(5) 

Represents value of net assets applicable to common stock plus preferred stock outstanding at year end divided by the preferred stock outstanding at year end.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

18


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

October 31, 2020

 

Note 1. Organization

DTF Tax-Free Income Inc. (“DTF” or the “Fund”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on September 24, 1991. The Fund commenced operations on November 29, 1991 as a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s investment objective is current income exempt from regular federal income tax consistent with preservation of capital.

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund is an investment company that follows the accounting and reporting guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 applicable to Investment Companies.

The following are the significant accounting policies of the Fund.

A. Investment Valuation: Debt securities are generally valued based on the evaluated bid using prices provided by one or more dealers regularly making a market in that security, an independent pricing service, or quotes from broker-dealers, when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities and are generally classified as Level 2. The relative liquidity of some securities in the Fund’s portfolio may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to accurately value such securities. Any securities for which it is determined that market prices are unavailable or inappropriate are valued at fair value using a procedure determined in good faith by the Board of Directors and are classified as Level 2 or 3 based on the valuation inputs.

B. Investment Transactions and Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on securities using the effective interest method. Premiums on securities are amortized over the period remaining until first call date, if any, or if none, the remaining life of the security and discounts are accreted over the remaining life of the security for financial reporting purposes.

C. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund’s intention to comply with requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income or excise taxes is required. Management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund’s tax returns filed for the tax years 2017 to 2020 are subject to such review.

D. Dividends and Distributions: The Fund declares and pays dividends on its common stock monthly from net investment income. Net capital gains, if any, in excess of capital loss carryforwards are expected to be distributed annually. Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends on the Fund’s Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (“VMTP Shares”) are accrued on a daily basis and paid on a monthly basis and are determined as described in Note 7.

The amount and timing of distributions are generally determined in accordance with federal tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

E. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

F. Accounting Standards: In 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-08, which shortens the premium amortization period for callable debt to the earliest call date. During the current fiscal period, ASU 2017-08 became effective for the Fund and did not materially impact the Fund’s financial statements.

 

19


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

Note 3. Agreements and Management Arrangements

A. Adviser: The Fund has an Advisory Agreement with Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. (the “Adviser”), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (“Virtus”). The investment advisory fee is payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund’s average weekly managed assets, which is defined as the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund minus the sum of all accrued liabilities of the Fund (other than the aggregate amount of any outstanding borrowings or other indebtedness constituting financial leverage).

B. Administrator: The Fund has an Administration Agreement with Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated (the “Administrator” or “Baird”). The administration fee is payable quarterly at an annual rate of 0.14% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets, which is defined as the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund minus the sum of all accrued liabilities of the Fund (including the aggregate amount of any outstanding borrowings or other indebtedness constituting financial leverage).

C. Directors: The Fund pays each director not affiliated with the Adviser an annual fee. Total fees paid to directors for the year ended October 31, 2020 were $39,437.

D. Affiliated Shareholder: At October 31, 2020, Virtus Partners, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Virtus) held 34,265 shares of the Fund which represent 0.40% of shares of common stock outstanding. These shares may be sold at any time.

Note 4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended October 31, 2020 were $27,571,380, and $26,366,626, respectively.

Note 5. Distributions and Tax Information

At October 31, 2020, federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Federal Tax

Cost

  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
$183,237,240   $13,772,635   $(97,450)   $13,675,185

The difference between the book basis and tax basis of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investments is primarily attributable to the tax treatment of discount accretion on fixed income securities.

The tax character of distributions paid to common shareholders during the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

 

     10/31/2020      10/31/2019  

Distributions paid from:

     

Tax-exempt income

     $4,089,929        $3,621,292  

Ordinary income

            26,039  

Long-term capital gains

     49,786        1,027,382  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

     $4,139,715        $4,674,713  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

20


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

At October 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed net tax-exempt income

     $657,863  

Undistributed realized long-term capital gain

     1,823  

Net unrealized appreciation

     13,675,185  
  

 

 

 
     $14,334,871  
  

 

 

 

Note 6. Reclassification of Capital Accounts

Due to inherent differences in the recognition and distribution of income and realized gains (losses) under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and for federal income tax purposes, permanent differences between book and tax basis reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. At October 31, 2020, the following reclassifications were recorded:

 

Paid-in capital

  Total distributable
earnings
$(32,124)   $32,124

The reclassifications are attributable to expenses related to the Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares offering. These reclassifications have no impact on the net asset value of the Fund.

Note 7. Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares

As of October 31, 2020, the Fund had issued and outstanding 650 shares of Series 2021 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (“VMTP Shares”) each with a liquidation preference of $100,000. The VMTP Shares are a floating-rate form of preferred shares with a mandatory redemption date. The Fund is required to redeem all outstanding VMTP Shares on January 31, 2021. The redemption price per share is equal to the sum of the liquidation value per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends and a redemption premium, if any.

Key terms of the series of VMTP Shares at October 31, 2020 are as follows:

 

Series   Shares
Outstanding
  Liquidation
Preference
    Weekly Rate Reset   Rate     Mandatory
Redemption
Date
 
2021   650     $65,000,000     SIFMA Municipal Swap Index + 1.40%     1.52%       1/31/2021  

The Fund incurred costs in connection with the issuance of the VMTP Shares. These costs were recorded as a deferred charge and are being amortized over the five year life of the VMTP Shares. Amortization of these deferred offering costs of $32,124 is included under the caption “Interest expense and amortization of deferred offering costs on preferred shares” on the Statement of Operations and the unamortized balance is deducted from the carrying amount of the VMTP shares under the caption “Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Dividends on the VMTP Shares (which are treated as interest expense for financial reporting purposes) are accrued daily and paid monthly. The average daily liquidation value outstanding and the weighted daily average dividend rate of the VMTP Shares during the year ended October 31, 2020, were $65,000,000 and 2.14%, respectively.

The VMTP Shares are not listed on any exchange or automated quotation system. The fair value of the VMTP Shares is estimated to be their liquidation preference. The VMTP Shares are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The Fund is subject to certain restrictions relating to the VMTP Shares, such as maintaining certain asset

 

21


DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

coverage, effective leverage ratio and overcollateralization ratio requirements. Failure to comply with these restrictions could preclude the Fund from declaring any distributions to common shareholders or purchasing common shares and/or could trigger the mandatory redemption of the VMTP Shares.

Note 8. Indemnifications

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not occurred. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these arrangements and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Note 9. Subsequent Events

On November 2, 2020, the Fund privately placed 650 shares of Remarketable Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (“RVMTP Shares”) with an institutional investor. The proceeds were used to conduct an early redemption of the Fund’s Series 2021 VMTP Shares at 100% of their liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends on November 12, 2020. The remaining unamortized deferred offering costs related to the VMTP shares were fully expensed at this time. The RVMTP Shares carry a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share. Dividends are paid monthly at a variable rate that is set weekly at a spread of 1.25% over the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index. The RVMTPs are subject to mandatory tender three years after issuance, but may remain outstanding either on the same terms or modified terms pursuant to an agreement between the Fund and the holder(s), or under a remarketing process at such time.

On November 23, 2020, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Fund authorized (subject to certain conditions) a cash tender offer for up to 17.5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock, with the commencement to be announced at a future date. In addition, the Board also approved certain amendments to the Fund’s charter which, if approved by the Fund’s shareholders, will convert the Fund from its existing closed-end fund structure with a perpetual existence into a “term fund” with a limited life of seven years, measured from the approximate time of the occurrence of shareholder approval. Full details will be provided in the forthcoming proxy statement, which will be furnished to shareholders in conjunction with the Fund’s annual meeting of shareholders.

On December 8, 2020, the Fund announced that it commenced a cash tender offer (the “Offer”) for up to 17.5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”) at a price per Share equal to 98% of the Fund’s net asset value per Share (“NAV”) as of the close of the regular trading session (normally 4:00 p.m. New York City time) on the New York Stock Exchange on January 8, 2021 (or if the Offer is extended, on the next trading day after the day to which the Offer is extended). The Fund will repurchase Shares tendered and accepted in the Offer in exchange for cash. In the event the Offer is oversubscribed, Shares will be repurchased on a pro rata basis. The Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on January 7, 2021, unless extended (the “Expiration Date”). The Fund may extend the period of time the Offer will be open by issuing a press release or making some other public announcement by no later than the next business day after the Offer otherwise would have expired. Tenders of Shares made pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date.

The commencement of the tender offer and the proposed conversion to a term fund have been made pursuant to a standstill agreement between the Fund and a significant shareholder.

 

22


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

DTF Tax-Free Income Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of DTF Tax-Free Income Inc. (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2020, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund at October 31, 2020, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

We have served as the auditor of one or more Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. investment companies since 1991.

Chicago, Illinois

December 18, 2020

 

23


 

TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

The Fund designated and paid long-term capital gains dividends of $25,012 to preferred shareholders and $49,786 to common shareholders during the taxable year ended October 31, 2020. All of the other net investment income distributions paid by the Fund qualify and are designated as tax-exempt interest dividends for Federal income tax purposes.

 

 

INFORMATION ABOUT PROXY VOTING BY THE FUND (Unaudited)

 

Although the Fund does not typically hold voting securities, a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Administrator toll-free at (833) 604-3163 or is available on the Fund’s website www.dpimc.com/dtf or on the SEC’s website www.sec.gov.

 

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS (Unaudited)

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended January 31 and July 31) as an exhibit to Form NPORT-P. The Fund’s Form NPORT-P is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s schedule of portfolio holdings is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Administrator toll-free at (833) 604-3163 or is available on the Fund’s website at www.dpimc.com/dtf.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

Since October 31, 2019: (i) there have been no material changes in the Fund’s investment objectives or policies that have not been approved by the shareholders; (ii) there have been no changes in the Fund’s charter or by-laws that would delay or prevent a change in control of the Fund which have not been approved by the shareholders except as detailed under “Important Notices to Shareholders” on page 27 of this report; (iii) there have been no material changes in the principal risk factors associated with an investment in the Fund; and (iv) there have been no changes in the persons who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.

Additional information relating to the Fund’s directors and officers, and any other information found elsewhere in this Annual Report, may be requested by contacting the Fund at the address provided on the back cover of this report.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act that the Fund may from time to time purchase its shares of common stock in the open market.

 

24


 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective: The Fund’s investment objective is current income exempt from regular federal income tax consistent with the preservation of capital.

Principal Strategies: The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of investment grade tax-exempt obligations.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in securities of issuers in a single industry; provided that, for purposes of this restriction, tax-exempt securities of issuers that are states, municipalities or their political subdivisions are not considered to be the securities of issuers in any single industry. The Fund will also not invest more than 20% of its assets in obligations that pay interest that is subject to the alternative minimum tax.

All of the Fund’s investments at the time of purchase will be rated at least investment grade or, with respect to no more than 20% of total assets, unrated but of comparable credit quality of obligations rated investment grade.

The Fund may also use various investment techniques including hedging and risk management transactions, selling call options, investing in illiquid securities, making forward commitments, entering into repurchase agreements, and portfolio lending activities.

Principal Risks:

Credit and Interest Risk. Debt securities are subject to various risks, the most prominent of which are credit and interest rate risk. The issuer of a debt security may fail to make interest and/or principal payments. Values of debt securities may rise or fall in response to changes in interest rates, and this risk may be enhanced with longer-term maturities.

Municipal Market Risk. Events negatively impacting a municipality, municipal security, or the municipal bond market in general, may cause the fund to decrease in value, perhaps significantly.

Industry and Sector Concentration Risk. The value of the investments of a fund that focuses its investments in a particular industry or market sector will be highly sensitive to financial, economic, political and other developments affecting that industry or market sector, and conditions that negatively impact that industry or market sector will have a greater impact on the Fund as compared with a fund that does not have its holdings concentrated in a particular industry or market sector. Events negatively affecting the industries or market sectors in which the Fund has invested are therefore likely to cause the value of the Fund’s shares to decrease, perhaps significantly.

No Guarantee. There is no guarantee that the portfolio will meet its objective.

Market Volatility Risk. The Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. The value of a security or other instrument may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other instrument, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates generally do not have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments. An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019 and has now been detected globally. This coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established

 

25


healthcare systems. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

Income Risk. Income received from the Fund may vary widely over the short- and long-term and/or be less than anticipated if the proceeds from maturing securities in the Fund are reinvested in lower-yielding securities.

Prepayment/Call Risk. Issuers may prepay or call their fixed rate obligations when interest rates fall, forcing the Fund to reinvest in obligations with lower interest rates and the Fund may not benefit fully from the increase in value that other fixed income investments experience when interest rates decline.

Tax-Exempt Securities Risk. Tax-exempt securities may not provide a higher after-tax return than taxable securities, and/or the tax-exempt status may be lost or limited.

Tax Liability Risk. Noncompliant conduct by a municipal bond issuer, or certain adverse interpretations or actions by a government or tax authority, could cause interest from a security to become taxable, possibly retroactively, subjecting shareholders to increased tax liability.

State and AMT Tax Risk. A portion of income may be subject to some state and/or local taxes and, for certain investors, a portion may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.

Unrated Fixed Income Securities Risk. If the Adviser is unable to accurately assess the quality of an unrated fixed income security, the Fund may invest in a security with greater risk than intended, or the securities may be more difficult to sell than anticipated.

Leverage Risk. When a fund uses leverage through activities such as borrowing, entering into short sales, purchasing securities on margin or on a when-issued basis, or purchasing derivative instruments in an effort to increase its returns, the fund has the risk of magnified capital losses that occur when losses affect an asset base, enlarged by borrowings or the creation of liabilities, that exceeds the net assets of the Fund. The value of the shares of a fund employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements. Leverage may also involve the creation of a liability that requires the fund to pay interest.

Closed-End Fund Risk. Closed-end funds may trade at a discount or premium from their net asset values, which may affect whether an investor will realize gains or losses. They may also employ leverage, which may increase the impact of volatility.

 

26


 

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS (Unaudited)

 

The following disclosures provide only a summary of certain changes which have occurred during the fund’s most recent fiscal year.

Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act: On June 8, 2020, the Board made an election, by unanimous vote of the independent directors, to “opt in” to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (MCSAA).

The MCSAA protects the interests of all shareholders of a Maryland corporation by denying voting rights to “control shares” acquired in a “control share acquisition” unless the other shareholders of the corporation reinstate those voting rights by a vote of two-thirds of the shares held by shareholders other than the acquiring person (i.e., the holder or group of holders acting in concert that acquires, or proposes to acquire, “control shares”). Generally, “control shares” are shares that, when aggregated with shares already owned by an acquiring person, would entitle the acquiring person to exercise 10% or more, 33 1/3% or more, or a majority of the total voting power of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors.

The MCSAA limits the ability of an acquiring person to achieve a short-term gain at the expense of long-term value for the rest of the Fund’s shareholders. The MCSAA applies automatically to most types of Maryland corporations, but in the case of closed-end investment companies, it applies only if the board of directors elects to “opt in.” Because the Fund’s board “opted in” to the MCSAA on June 8, 2020, the MCSAA will only apply to “control shares” acquired after that date.

The above description of the MCSAA is only a high-level summary and does not purport to be complete. Investors should refer to the actual provisions of the MCSAA for more information, including definitions of key terms, various exclusions from the statute’s scope, and the procedures by which shareholders may approve the reinstatement of voting rights to holders of “control shares.”

 

27


 

INFORMATION ABOUT DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)

 

Set forth below are the names and certain biographical information about the directors of the Fund. Directors are divided into three classes and are elected to serve staggered three-year terms. All of the directors are elected by the holders of the Fund’s common stock, except for Mr. Genetski and Ms. McNamara who are elected by the holders of the Fund’s preferred stock. All of the current directors of the Fund, with the exception of Mr. Partain, are classified as independent directors because none of them are “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Partain is an “interested person” of the Fund by reason of his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund and President, Chief Investment Officer and employee of the Adviser. The term “Fund Complex” refers to the Fund and all the other investment companies advised by affiliates of Virtus.

The address for all directors is c/o Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co., 200 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60606. All of the Fund’s directors currently serve on the Board of Directors of three other registered closed-end investment companies that are advised by Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.: DNP Select Income Fund Inc. (“DNP”), Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc. (“DPG”) and Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. (“DUC”).

 

 

DIRECTORS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

Independent Directors

 

Name and Age

 

Position(s)
Held
with Fund

 

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director
 

Other
Directorships Held
by the Director
During Past 5 Years

Donald C. Burke

Age: 60

  Director   Term expires 2021;
Director since 2014
  Private investor since 2009; President and Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock U.S. Funds 2007-2009; Managing Director, BlackRock Inc. 2006-2009; Managing Director, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers 1990-2006   72   Director, Avista Corp. (energy company); Trustee, Goldman Sachs Fund Complex 2010-2014; Director, BlackRock Luxembourg and Cayman Funds 2006-2010

Robert J. Genetski

Age: 78

  Director   Term expires 2022;
Director since 2009
  Co-owner, Good Industries, Inc. (branding company) since 2014; President, Robert Genetski & Associates, Inc. (economic and financial consulting firm) since 1991; Senior Managing Director, Chicago Capital Inc. (financial services firm) 1995-2001; former Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Harris Trust & Savings Bank; author of several books   4  

Philip R. McLoughlin

Age: 74

  Director   Term expires 2022;
Director since 1996
  Private investor since 2010; Partner, CrossPond Partners, LLC (investment management consultant) 2006-2010; Managing Director, SeaCap Partners LLC (strategic advisory firm) 2009-2010   72   Chairman of the Board, Lazard World Trust Fund (closed-end fund; f/k/a The World Trust Fund) 2010-2019 (Director since 1991-2019)

Geraldine M. McNamara

Age: 69

  Director   Term expires 2023;
Director since 2003
  Private investor since 2006; Managing Director, U.S Trust Company of New York 1982-2006   72  

Eileen A. Moran

Age: 66

  Director and Vice Chairperson of the Board   Term expires 2021;
Director since 1996
  Private investor since 2011; President and Chief Executive Officer, PSEG Resources L.L.C. (investment company) 1990-2011   4  

 

28


Name and Age

 

Position(s)
Held
with Fund

 

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director
 

Other
Directorships Held
by the Director
During Past 5 Years

David J. Vitale

Age: 74

  Director and Chairman of the Board   Term expires 2023;
Director since 2005
  Advisor, Ariel Investments, LLC since 2019; Chairman, Urban Partnership Bank 2010-2019; President, Chicago Board of Education 2011-2015; Senior Advisor to the CEO, Chicago Public Schools 2007-2008 (Chief Administrative Officer 2003-2007); President and Chief Executive Officer, Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc. 2001-2002; Vice Chairman and Director, Bank One Corporation 1998-1999; Vice Chairman and Director, First Chicago NBD Corporation, and President, The First National Bank of Chicago 1995-1998; Vice Chairman, First Chicago Corporation and The First National Bank of Chicago 1993-1998 (Director 1992-1998; Executive Vice President 1986-1993)   4   Director, United Continental Holdings, Inc. (airline holding company); Ariel Investment, LLC; Wheels, Inc. (automobile fleet management); Chairman, Urban Partnership Bank 2010-2019
Interested Director

Nathan I. Partain, CFA

Age: 64

  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer  

Term expires

2022;
Director since 2007

  President and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser since 2005 (Executive Vice President 1997-2005); Director of Utility Research, Duff & Phelps Investment Research Co. 1989-1996 (Director of Equity Research 1993-1996 and Director of Fixed Income Research 1993); President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund and DUC since 2004 and of DPG since 2011; President and Chief Executive Officer of DNP since 2001 (Chief Investment Officer 1998-2017; Executive Vice President 1998-2001; Senior Vice President 1997-1998)   4   Chairman of the Board and Director, Otter Tail Corporation (manages diversified operations in the electric, plastics, manufacturing and other business operations sectors)

 

29


 

OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)

 

The officers of the Fund are elected at the annual meeting of the board of directors of the Fund and serve until their respective successors are chosen and qualified. The Fund’s officers receive no compensation from the Fund, but are also officers of the Adviser, Virtus or the Administrator and receive compensation in such capacities. Information pertaining to Nathan I. Partain, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, is provided under the caption “Interested Director”. Information pertaining to the other officers of the Fund is set forth below. The address for all officers noted below is c/o Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co., 200 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60606, except as noted.

 

Name, Address and Age

  

Positions(s) Held with Fund and
Length of Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Jennifer S. Fromm

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

One Financial Plaza

Hartford, CT 06103

Age: 47

   Vice President and Secretary since March 2020    Vice President of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. since 2016 and Senior Counsel, Legal of Virtus Investment Partners Inc. and/or certain of its subsidiaries since 2007; Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Counsel and Secretary of Duff & Phelps Select MLP and Midstream Energy Fund Inc., Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund Inc. and Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. since 2020; Vice President of various Virtus-affiliated open-end funds since 2017 and Assistant Secretary since 2008; Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Counsel and Secretary of Virtus Variable Insurance Trust and Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust since 2013; various officer positions of Virtus affiliates since 2008

Timothy M. Heaney, CFA
Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

One Financial Plaza

Hartford, CT 06103

Age: 55

   Chief Investment Officer since 2004 and Vice President since 1997 (Portfolio Manager 1997-2004)    Senior Managing Director of the Adviser since 2014 (Senior Vice President 2004-2014; Vice President 1997-2004); Senior Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income, Newfleet Asset Management, LLC since 2011; Portfolio Manager, Virtus Tax-Exempt Bond Fund since 2012; Portfolio Manager, Virtus CA Tax-Exempt Bond Fund since 1997; Senior Managing Director, Fixed Income, Virtus Investment Advisors, Inc. (and predecessor firms) 2006-2011 (Managing Director, Fixed Income 1997-2006; Director, Fixed Income Research 1996-1997; Investment Analyst 1992-1996)

Lisa H. Leonard
Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

One Financial Plaza

Hartford, CT 06103

Age: 57

   Vice President since 2006    Managing Director of the Adviser since 2014 (Vice President 2006-2014; Assistant Vice President 1998-2006); Portfolio Manager, Virtus Tax-Exempt Bond Fund since 2012; Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income, Newfleet Asset Management, LLC since 2011; Managing Director, Fixed Income, Virtus Investment Advisors, Inc. (and predecessor firms) 2006-2011 (Director, Fixed Income 1998-2006, Director, Investment Operations 1994-1998, Fixed Income Trader 1987-1994)

Alan M. Meder, CFA, CPA

Age: 61

   Treasurer since 2000; Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and Assistant Secretary since 2002    Chief Risk Officer of the Adviser since 2001 and Senior Managing Director since 2014 (Senior Vice President 1994-2014); Member, Board of Governors of CFA Institute 2008-2014 (Chair 2012-2013; Vice Chair 2011-2012); Member, Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council 2011-2014

Daniel J. Petrisko, CFA

Age: 60

   Senior Vice President since 2017 and Assistant Secretary since 2015    Executive Managing Director of the Adviser since 2017 (Senior Managing Director 2014-2017, Senior Vice President 1997-2014; Vice President 1995-1997)

William J. Renahan

Age: 51

   Chief Compliance Officer since March 2020; Vice President since 2015 (Secretary 2015-March 2020)    Secretary of the Adviser since 2014; Chief Compliance Officer since 2019 (Senior Counsel 2015-2019); Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President, Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. 2012-2018; Managing Director, Legg Mason, Inc. (and predecessor firms) 1999-2012

Dianna P. Wengler

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

500 West Jefferson Street

Louisville, KY 40202

Age: 60

   Vice President and Assistant Secretary since 2014    Senior Vice President and Director—Fund Administration, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated since 2019; Senior Vice President, J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L Lyons, LLC 2016-2019 (Vice President 1990-2015); Senior Vice President, Hilliard-Lyons Government Fund, Inc. 2006-2010 (Vice President 1998-2006; Treasurer 1988-2010)

 

30


 

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN (Unaudited)

 

Pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), common shareholders may elect to have all distributions of dividends and capital gains automatically reinvested by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Plan Agent”) in shares of common stock of the Fund (“Fund Shares”) pursuant to the Plan; provided that such election is subject to the power of the Board of Directors to declare capital gains distributions in the form of stock (if such a declaration is made by the Board of Directors, all shareholders who do not elect to receive cash will receive the distribution in the form of stock whether or not they elect to participate in the Plan). Common shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash (except as described above) paid by check in United States dollars mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Custodian, as dividend disbursing agent. Common shareholders who wish to participate in the Plan should contact the Fund at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11219 or call toll free (866) 668-8552.

The Plan Agent serves as agent for the common shareholders in administering the Plan. After the Fund declares a dividend or determines to make a capital gain distribution, if (1) the market price is lower than net asset value, the participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Fund Shares valued at the market price determined as of the time of purchase (generally, the payment date of the dividend or distribution); or if (2) the market price of Fund Shares on the payment date of the dividend or distribution is equal to or exceeds their net asset value, participants will be issued Fund Shares at the higher of net asset value or 95% of the market price. This discount reflects savings in underwriting and other costs that the Fund otherwise will be required to incur to raise additional capital. If net asset value exceeds the market price of Fund Shares on the payment date or the Fund declares a dividend or other distribution payable only in cash (i.e., if the Board of Directors precludes reinvestment in Fund Shares for that purpose), the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, receive the cash payment and use it to buy Fund Shares in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange, other national securities exchanges on which the Fund’s common stock is listed or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts. If, before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value of a Fund Share, the average per share purchase price paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the net asset value of Fund Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund. The Fund will not issue shares under the Plan below net asset value.

Participants in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan upon written notice to the Plan Agent and will receive certificates for whole Fund Shares and a cash payment will be made for any fraction of a Fund Share.

There is no charge to participants for reinvesting dividends or capital gain distributions, except for certain brokerage commissions, as described below. The Plan Agent’s fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be paid by the Fund. There will be no brokerage commissions charged with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any federal income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to all shareholders of the Fund at least 90 days before the record date for the dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by the Plan Agent upon at least 90 days written notice to all common shareholders of the Fund. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Fund at the address on the front of this report.

The Plan permits Plan participants to periodically purchase additional shares of common stock through the Plan by delivering to the Plan Agent a check (or authorizing an electronic fund transfer) for at least $100, but not more than $5,000, in any month. The Plan Agent will use the funds to purchase shares in the open market or in private transactions as described above with respect to reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Purchases made pursuant to this feature of the Plan will be made commencing at the time of the first dividend or distribution payment following the second business day after receipt of the funds for additional purchases, and may be aggregated with purchases of shares for reinvestment of the dividends and distributions.

 

31


Shares will be allocated to the accounts of participants purchasing additional shares at the average price per share, plus a service charge imposed by the Plan Agent and brokerage commissions (or equivalent purchase costs) paid by the Plan Agent for all shares purchased by it, including for reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Checks drawn on a foreign bank are subject to collection and collection fees, and will be invested at the time of the next distribution after funds are collected by the Plan Agent.

The Plan Agent will make every effort to invest funds promptly, and in no event more than 30 days after the Plan Agent receives a dividend or distribution, except where postponement is deemed necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws.

Funds sent to the Plan Agent for voluntary additional share investment may be recalled by the participant by written notice received by the Plan Agent not later than two business days before the next distribution payment date. If for any reason a regular monthly distribution is not paid by the Fund, funds for voluntary additional share investment will be returned to the participant, unless the participant specifically directs that they continue to be held by the Plan Agent for subsequent investment.

 

32


Board of Directors

David J. Vitale Chairman

Eileen A. Moran Vice Chairperson

Donald C. Burke

Robert J. Genetski

Philip R. McLoughlin

Geraldine M. McNamara

Nathan I. Partain, CFA

Officers

Nathan I. Partain, CFA President and Chief Executive Officer

Daniel J. Petrisko, CFA Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary

Timothy M. Heaney, CFA Vice President and Chief Investment Officer

Lisa H. Leonard Vice President

Jennifer S. Fromm Vice President and Secretary

William J. Renahan Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer

Dianna P. Wengler Vice President and Assistant Secretary

Alan M. Meder, CFA, CPA Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

DTF Tax-Free Income Inc.

Common stock traded on the New York

Stock Exchange under the symbol DTF

Investment Adviser

Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.

200 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500

Chicago, lL 60606

Call toll-free (800) 243-4361 ext. 4941

(860) 263-4941

www.dpimc.com/dtf

Administrator

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

500 West Jefferson Street

Louisville, KY 40202

Call toll-free (833) 604-3163

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

Call toll-free (866) 668-8552

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Legal Counsel

Mayer Brown LLP

Independcnt Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

 


ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer (the “Code of Ethics”). The registrant’s principal financial officer also performs the functions of principal accounting officer.

The text of the Code of Ethics is posted on the registrant’s web site at http://www.dpimc.com/dtf. In the event that the registrant makes any amendment to or grants any waiver from the provisions of the Code of Ethics, the registrant intends to disclose such amendment or waiver on its web site within five business days.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

The registrant’s board of directors has determined that three members of its audit committee: Donald C. Burke, Philip R. McLoughlin and David J. Vitale, are audit committee financial experts and that each of them is “independent” for purposes of this Item.

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table sets forth the aggregate audit and non-audit fees billed to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the registrant’s principal accountant, Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm (the “Independent Auditor”).

 

             Fiscal year ended   
October 31, 2020   
             Fiscal year ended   
October 31, 2019   
      
  Audit Fees (1)      $54,000          $54,000       
  Audit-Related Fees (2)(6)      0          0                        
  Tax Fees (3)(6)      8,350          8,350       
  All Other Fees (4)(6)      0          0       
  Aggregate Non-Audit Fees (5)(6)      8,350          8,350       

 

 

 

  (1)

Audit Fees are fees billed for the professional services rendered by the Independent Auditor for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and for services that are normally provided by the Independent Auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

  (2)

Audit-Related Fees are fees billed for assurance and related services by the Independent Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under the caption “Audit Fees.”

  (3)

Tax Fees are fees billed for professional services rendered by the Independent Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. In both years shown in the table, such services consisted of preparation of the registrant’s annual federal and state income tax returns and excise tax returns.

  (4)

All Other Fees are fees billed for products and services provided by the Independent Auditor, other than the services reported under the captions “Audit Fees”, “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees.”

  (5)

Aggregate Non-Audit Fees are non-audit fees billed by the Independent Auditor for services rendered to the registrant, the registrant’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant (collectively, the “Covered Entities”). During both years shown in the table, no portion of such fees related to services rendered by the Independent Auditor to the Adviser or any other Covered Entity.

  (6)

No portion of these fees was approved by the registrant’s audit committee after the beginning of the engagement pursuant to the waiver of the pre-approval requirement for certain de minimis non-audit services described in Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and applicable regulations.

The audit committee of the board of directors of the registrant (the “Audit Committee”), jointly with the audit committee of the board of directors of DNP Select Income Fund Inc. (“DNP”), Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc. (“DPG”) and Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. (“DUC”), has adopted a Joint Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy to govern the provision by the Independent Auditor of the following services: (i) all engagements for audit and non-audit services to be provided by the Independent Auditor to the registrant and (ii) all engagements for non-audit services to be provided by the Independent Auditor to the Adviser or any other Covered Entity, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant. With respect to non-audit services rendered by the Independent Auditor to the Adviser or any other Covered Entity that were not required to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee because they do not relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant, the Audit Committee has nonetheless considered whether the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining the independence of the Independent Auditor.


Set forth below is a copy of the Joint Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy (omitting data in the appendices relating to DNP, DPG and DUC).

DNP SELECT INCOME FUND INC. (“DNP”)

DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND INC. (“DPG”)

DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY AND CORPORATE BOND TRUST INC. (“DUC”)

DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC. (“DTF”)

AUDIT COMMITTEE

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES PRE-APPROVAL POLICY

(adopted on December 17, 2020)

 

I.

Statement of Principles

Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”), the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of each of DNP Select Income Fund Inc., Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc., Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. and DTF Tax-Free Income Inc. (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”)(1) is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that they do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Fund. To implement these provisions of the Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client, as well as the Audit Committee’s administration of the engagement of the independent auditor. Accordingly, the Audit Committee has adopted this Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy (this “Policy”), which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent auditor may be pre-approved.

The SEC’s rules establish two different approaches to pre-approving services, which the SEC considers to be equally valid. Proposed services either: may be pre-approved without consideration of specific case-by-case services by the Audit Committee (“general pre-approval”); or require the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee (“specific pre-approval”). The Audit Committee believes that the combination of these two approaches in this Policy will result in an effective and efficient procedure to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor. As set forth in this Policy, unless a type of service has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee if it is to be provided by the independent auditor. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

For both types of pre-approval, the Audit Committee will consider whether such services are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee will also consider whether the independent auditor is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service, for reasons such as its familiarity with the Fund’s business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile and other factors, and whether the service might enhance the Fund’s ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality. All such factors will be considered as a whole, and no one factor should necessarily be determinative.

Under the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee must pre-approve non-audit services provided not only to the Fund but also to the Fund’s investment adviser and other affiliated entities that provide ongoing services to the Fund if the independent accountant’s services to those affiliated entities have a direct impact on the Fund’s operations or financial reporting.

 

 

  (1) 

This Joint Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy has been adopted by the Audit Committee of each Fund. Solely for the sake of clarity and simplicity, this Joint Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy has been drafted as if there is a single Fund, a single Audit Committee and a single Board. The terms “Audit Committee” and “Board” mean the Audit Committee and Board of each Fund, respectively, unless the context otherwise requires. The Audit Committee and the Board of each Fund, however, shall act separately and in the best interests of its respective Fund.


The Audit Committee is also mindful of the relationship between fees for audit and non-audit services in deciding whether to pre-approve any such services and may determine, for each fiscal year, the appropriate ratio between the total amount of fees for audit, audit-related and tax services (including any audit-related or tax service fees for affiliates that are subject to pre-approval) and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services classified as “all other” services (including any such services for affiliates that are subject to pre-approval).

The appendices to this Policy describe the audit, audit-related, tax and “all other” services that have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee considers a different period and states otherwise. The Audit Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the independent auditor without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will add to or subtract from the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations.

The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the procedures by which the Audit Committee intends to fulfill its responsibilities. It does not delegate the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor to management.

The independent auditor has reviewed this Policy and believes that implementation of this Policy will not adversely affect the auditor’s independence.

 

II.

Delegation

As provided in the Act and the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members who are independent directors. Any member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. In accordance with the foregoing provisions, the Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its chairman, since under the Audit Committee’s charter each member of the Audit Committee, including the chairman, is required to be an independent director.

 

III.

Audit Services

The annual audit services engagement terms and fees will be subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. Audit services include the annual financial statement audit and other procedures required to be performed by the independent auditor to be able to form an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements. These other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews and testing performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems of internal control, the issuance of an internal control letter for the Fund’s Form N-CEN and consultations relating to the audit. The Audit Committee will monitor the audit services engagement as necessary, but no less than on a semiannual basis, and will also approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Fund structure or other items.

In addition to the annual audit services engagement approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to other audit services, which are those services that only the independent auditor reasonably can provide. Other audit services may include statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements (on Forms N-1A, N-2, N-3, N-4, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings.

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the audit services in Appendix A. All other audit services not listed in Appendix A must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

IV.

Audit-Related Services

Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund’s financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor. Because the Audit Committee believes that the provision of audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor and is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to audit-related services. Audit-related services include, among others, accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as “audit services”; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements (other than the issuance of the internal control letter to be filed with the Fund’s Form N-CEN, which is included in the audit services listed above).

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the audit-related services in Appendix B. All other audit-related services not listed in Appendix B must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.


V.

Tax Services

The Audit Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide tax services to the Fund such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence, and the SEC has stated that the independent auditor may provide such services. Hence, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those tax services that have historically been provided by the auditor, that the Audit Committee has reviewed and believes would not impair the independence of the auditor, and that are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee will not permit the retention of the independent auditor in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor, the sole business purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Audit Committee will consult with the Fund’s Administrator or outside counsel to determine that the tax planning and reporting positions are consistent with this Policy.

Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the tax services in Appendix C. All tax services involving large and complex transactions not listed in Appendix C must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee, including: tax services proposed to be provided by the independent auditor to any executive officer or director of the Fund, in his or her individual capacity, where such services are paid for by the Fund.

 

VI.

All Other Services

The Audit Committee believes, based on the SEC’s rules prohibiting the independent auditor from providing specific non-audit services, that other types of non-audit services are permitted. Accordingly, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services classified as all other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the “all other” services in Appendix D. Permissible “all other” services not listed in Appendix D must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

A list of the SEC’s prohibited non-audit services is attached to this Policy as Appendix E. The SEC’s rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the prohibitions.

 

VII.

Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts

Pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the independent auditor will be established annually by the Audit Committee. (Note that separate amounts may be specified for services to the Fund and for services to other affiliated entities that are subject to pre-approval.) Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is mindful of the overall relationship of fees for audit and non-audit services in determining whether to pre-approve any such services. For each fiscal year, the Audit Committee may determine the appropriate ratio between the total amount of fees for audit, audit-related and tax services for the Fund (including any audit-related or tax services fees for affiliates that are subject to pre-approval), and the total amount of fees for services classified as “all other” services (including any such services for affiliates that are subject to pre-approval).

 

VIII.

Procedures

All requests or applications for services to be provided by the independent auditor that do not require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Fund’s Administrator and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. The Administrator will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the independent auditor.

Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the independent auditor and the Fund’s Administrator, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

The Audit Committee has designated the Fund’s Administrator to monitor the performance of all services provided by the independent auditor and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this Policy. The Administrator will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of its monitoring. Both the Administrator and any member of management will immediately report to the Chairman of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to their attention.

 

IX.

Additional Requirements

The Audit Committee has determined to take additional measures on an annual basis to meet its responsibility to oversee the work of the independent auditor and to assure the auditor’s independence from the Fund, such as reviewing a formal written statement from the independent auditor delineating all relationships between the independent auditor and the Fund, consistent with applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and discussing with the independent auditor its methods and procedures for ensuring independence.


Appendix A

Pre-Approved Audit Services for Fiscal Year Ending in 2021

Dated: December 17, 2020

 

Service
 

1. Services required under generally accepted auditing standards to perform the audit of the annual financial statements of the Fund, including performance of tax qualification tests relating to the Fund’s regulated investment company status and issuance of an internal control letter for the Fund’s Form N-CEN.

2. Services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., comfort letters for closed-end fund offerings, consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters.

3. Consultations by the Fund’s management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be “audit-related” services rather than “audit” services)


Appendix B

Pre-Approved Audit-Related Services for Fiscal Year Ending in 2021

Dated: December 17, 2020

 

Service
 

1. Agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters

2. Consultations by the Fund’s management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be “audit” services rather than “audit-related” services)

3. General assistance with implementation of the requirements of SEC rules or listing standards promulgated pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act


Appendix C

Pre-Approved Tax Services for Fiscal Year Ending in 2021

Dated: December 17, 2020

 

Service
 

1. Preparation of federal and state tax returns, including excise tax returns, and review of required distributions to avoid excise tax

2. Preparation of state tax returns

3. Consultations with the Fund’s management as to the tax treatment of transactions or events

4. Tax advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments


Appendix D

Pre-Approved “All Other” Services for Fiscal Year Ending in 2021

Dated: December 17, 2020

 

Service
 
None


Appendix E

Prohibited Non-Audit Services

 

 

Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the audit client

 

 

Financial information systems design and implementation

 

 

Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports

 

 

Actuarial services

 

 

Internal audit outsourcing services

 

 

Management functions

 

 

Human resources

 

 

Broker-dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services

 

 

Legal services

 

 

Expert services unrelated to the audit

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS

The registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). The members of the Audit Committee are Donald C. Burke, Robert J. Genetski, Philip R. McLoughlin, Geraldine M. McNamara, Eileen A. Moran and David J. Vitale.

 

ITEM 6.

INVESTMENTS

A schedule of investments is included as part of the report to stockholders filed under Item 1 of this report.

 

ITEM 7.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Although the registrant does not typically hold voting securities, the registrant’s board of directors has adopted the following proxy voting policies and procedures with respect to proxy voting.

DNP SELECT INCOME FUND INC.

DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY AND CORPORATE BOND TRUST INC.

DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND INC.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

As Amended June 13, 2018

 

  I.

Definitions. As used in these Policies and Procedures, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed below:

 

  A.

“Adviser” refers to Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.

 

  B.

“Advisers Act” refers to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

 

  C.

“corporate governance matters” refers to changes involving the corporate ownership or structure of an issuer whose voting securities are within a portfolio holding, including changes in the state of incorporation, changes in capital structure, including increases and decreases of capital and preferred stock issuance, mergers and other corporate restructurings, and anti-takeover provisions such as staggered boards, poison pills, and supermajority voting provisions.

 

  D.

“Delegate” refers to the Adviser, any proxy committee to which the Adviser delegates its responsibilities hereunder and any qualified, independent organization engaged by the Adviser to vote proxies on behalf of the Fund.


  E.

“executive compensation matters” refers to stock option plans and other executive compensation issues.

 

  F.

“Fund” refers to DTF Tax-Free Income Inc.

 

  G.

“Investment Company Act” refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

  H.

“portfolio holding” refers to any company or entity whose voting securities are held within the investment portfolio of the Fund as of the date a proxy is solicited.

 

  I.

“Principal underwriter” refers to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, solely with respect to DNP Select Income Fund Inc.

 

  J.

“proxy contests” refer to any meeting of shareholders of an issuer for which there are at least two sets of proxy cards, one solicited by management and the others by a dissident or group of dissidents.

 

  K.

“social issues” refers to social, political and environmental issues.

 

  L.

“takeover” refers to “hostile” or “friendly” efforts to effect radical change in the voting control of the board of directors of a company.

 

  II.

General policy.

 

  A.

It is the intention of the Fund to exercise voting stock ownership rights in portfolio holdings in a manner that is reasonably anticipated to further the best economic interests of shareholders of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund or its Delegate (s) shall endeavor to analyze and vote all proxies that are considered likely to have financial implications, and, where appropriate, to participate in corporate governance, shareholder proposals, management communications and legal proceedings. The Fund and its Delegate(s) must also identify potential or actual conflicts of interests in voting proxies and address any such conflict of interest in accordance with these Policies and Procedures.

 

  B.

Absent special factors, the policy of the adviser is to exercise its proxy voting discretion in accordance with ISS guidelines.

 

  III.

Special Factors to consider when voting.

 

  A.

The Delegate may abstain from voting when it concludes that the effect on shareholders’ economic interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant.

 

  B.

In analyzing anti-takeover measures, the Delegate shall vote on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration such factors as overall long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry competition. Key measures which shall be considered include, without limitation, five-year annual compound growth rates for sales, operating income, net income, and total shareholder returns (share price appreciation plus dividends). Other financial indicators that will be considered include margin analysis, cash flow, and debt levels.

 

  C.

In analyzing proxy contests for control, the Delegate shall vote on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration such factors as long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry; management’s track record; background to the proxy contest; qualifications of director nominees and any compensatory arrangements (both slates); evaluation of which nominee(s) would be most likely to pursue policies that will have the highest likelihood to maximize the economic interests of shareholders of the Fund; the likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and stock ownership positions.

 

  D.

In analyzing contested elections for director, the Delegate shall vote on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration such factors as long-term financial performance of the company relative to its industry; management’s track record; background of the contested election; nominee qualifications and any compensatory arrangements; strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of the critique against management; evaluation of which nominee(s) would be most likely to pursue policies that will have the highest likelihood to maximize the economic interests of shareholders of the Fund; likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and stock ownership positions.

 

  E.

In analyzing corporate governance matters, the Delegate shall vote on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration such factors as tax and economic benefits associated with amending an issuer’s state of incorporation, dilution or improved accountability associated with changes in capital structure, management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to amend charters and bylaws and bundled or “conditioned” proxy proposals; long-term financial performance of the company relative to its industry; and management’s track record.


  F.

In analyzing executive compensation matters and management matters, the Delegate shall vote on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration a company’s overall pay program and demonstrated pay-for-performance philosophy, and generally disfavoring such problematic pay practices as (i) repricing or replacing of underwater stock options, (ii) excessive perquisites or tax gross- ups and (iii) change-in-control payments that are excessive or are payable based on a “single trigger” (i.e. without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties). With respect to the advisory vote on the frequency of “say on pay” votes, the Delegate shall vote in favor of the option that received majority support from shareholders in the most recent advisory vote. If no option received majority support and the board implemented an option that is less frequent than that which received a plurality, but not majority, of votes cast, additional factors will be taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis, including the board’s rationale for implementing a less recurring “say on pay” vote, ownership structure, compensation concerns and “say on pay” support level from the prior year.

 

  G.

The Delegate shall generally vote against shareholder proposals on social issues, except where the Delegate determines that a different position would be in the clear economic interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

  IV.

Responsibilities of Delegates.

 

  A.

In the absence of a specific direction to the contrary from the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Adviser will be responsible for voting proxies for all portfolio holdings in accordance with these Policies and Procedures, or for delegating such responsibility as described below.

 

    

The Adviser has a Proxy Committee (“Committee”) that is responsible for establishing policies and procedures designed to enable the Adviser to ethically and effectively discharge its fiduciary obligation to vote all applicable proxies on behalf of all clients. The Adviser also utilizes Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) a qualified, non-affiliated independent third party to serve as the Adviser’s proxy voting agent in the provision of certain administrative, clerical, functional recordkeeping and support services related to the Adviser’s proxy voting processes and procedures. Absent special factors, the policy of the Adviser is to exercise its proxy voting discretion in accordance with the ISS guidelines.

 

  B.

In voting proxies on behalf of the Fund, each Delegate shall have a duty of care to safeguard the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and to act in accordance with these Policies and Procedures.

 

  C.

No Delegate shall accept direction or inappropriate influence from any other client or third party, or from any director, officer or employee of any affiliated company, and shall not cast any vote inconsistent with these Policies and Procedures without obtaining the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund or its duly authorized representative.

 

  V.

Conflicts of interest

 

  A.

The Fund and its Delegate(s) seek to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest in the voting of proxies for portfolio holdings between the interests of Fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter (if applicable) or any affiliated person of the Fund, the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter (if applicable), on the other hand. The Board of Directors may take into account a wide array of factors in determining whether such a conflict exists, whether such conflict is material in nature, and how to properly address or resolve the same.

 

  B.

While each conflict situation varies based on the particular facts presented and the requirements of governing law, the Board of Directors or its duly authorized representative may take the following actions, among others, or otherwise give weight to the following factors, in addressing material conflicts of interest in voting (or directing Delegates to vote) proxies pertaining to portfolio holdings: (i) vote pursuant to the recommendation of the proposing Delegate; (ii) abstain from voting; or (iii) rely on the recommendations of an established, independent third party with qualifications to vote proxies, such as Institutional Shareholder Services.

 

  C.

The Adviser shall notify the Board of Directors of the Fund promptly after becoming aware that any actual or potential conflict of interest exists and shall seek the Board of Directors’ recommendations for protecting the best interests of Fund’s shareholders. The Adviser shall not waive any conflict of interest or vote any conflicted proxies without the prior written approval of the Board of Directors or its duly authorized representative.

 

  VI.

Miscellaneous.

 

  A.

A copy of the current Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and the voting records for the Fund, reconciling proxies with portfolio holdings and recording proxy voting guideline compliance and justification, shall be kept in an easily accessible place for the period of time required to comply with applicable laws and regulations. They will be available for inspection either physically or through electronic posting on an approved website.


  B.

In the event that a determination, authorization or waiver under these Policies and Procedures is requested at a time other than a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Audit Committee shall be the duly authorized representative of the Board of Directors with the authority and responsibility to interpret and apply these Policies and Procedures and shall provide a report of his or her determinations at the next following meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

  C.

The Adviser shall present a report of any material deviations from these Policies and Procedures at every regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors and shall provide such other reports as the Board of Directors may request from time to time. The Adviser shall provide to the Fund or any shareholder a record of its effectuation of proxy voting pursuant to these Policies and Procedures at such times and in such format or medium as the Fund shall reasonably request. The Adviser shall be solely responsible for complying with its disclosure and reporting requirements under applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation, Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act as amended. The Adviser shall gather, collate and present information relating to its proxy voting activities and those of each Delegate in such format and medium as the Fund shall determine from time to time in order for the Fund to discharge its disclosure and reporting obligations pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act.

 

  D.

The Adviser shall pay all costs associated with proxy voting for portfolio holdings pursuant to these Policies and Procedures and assisting the Fund in providing public notice of the manner in which such proxies were voted, except that the Fund shall pay the costs associated with any filings required under the Investment Company Act.

 

  E.

In performing its duties hereunder, any Delegate or authorized committee may engage the services of a research and/or voting adviser, the cost of which shall be borne by such Delegate. The Adviser may delegate its voting responsibilities hereunder to a Proxy Committee established by the Adviser.

 

  F.

These Policies and Procedures shall be presented to the Board of Directors annually for their amendment and/or approval.

 

ITEM 8.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

   

In this Item 8, the term “Fund” refers to the registrant, DTF Tax-Free Income Inc.

The Fund’s Portfolio Managers

A team of investment professionals employed by Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co., the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. The members of that investment team and their respective roles, as of December 29, 2020, are as follows:

Timothy M. Heaney, CFA, has been Chief Investment Officer of the Fund since 2004 and Vice President since 1997 (Portfolio Manager 1997-2004). He has been a Senior Managing Director of the Adviser since 2014 (Senior Vice President from 2004 to 2014 and Vice President 1997-2004). He has been a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Fixed Income unit of Newfleet Asset Management, LLC since 2011 and was Senior Managing Director in the Fixed Income unit of the Adviser’s affiliate, Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc. (and predecessor firms) (“VIA”) 2006-2011 (Managing Director 1997-2006, Director, Fixed Income Research 1996-1997, Investment Analyst 1992-1996). Mr. Heaney is the head of the municipal bond product area for the Adviser and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC.

Lisa H. Leonard has been Vice President of the Fund since 2006. She has been managing Director of the Adviser since 2014 (Vice President from 2006 to 2014). She has also been a Portfolio Manager in the Fixed Income unit of Newfleet Asset Management, LLC since 2011 and was Portfolio Manager in the Fixed Income unit of VIA 1998-2011 (Director, Investment Operations 1994-1998, Fixed Income Trader 1987-1993). Ms. Leonard assists Mr. Heaney in the management of the Fund’s portfolio in her capacity as a portfolio manager in the municipal bond product area for the Adviser and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC.

Other Accounts Managed by the Fund’s Portfolio Managers

The following table provides information as of October 31, 2020 regarding the other accounts besides the Fund that are managed by the portfolio managers of the Fund. As noted in the table, portfolio managers of the Fund may also manage or be members of management teams for other mutual funds within the same fund complex or other similar accounts. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “fund complex” includes the Fund and all other investment companies advised by affiliates of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (“Virtus”), the Adviser’s ultimate parent company. As of October 31, 2020, the Fund’s portfolio managers did not manage any accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, nor do they manage any hedge funds.


     Registered Investment
Companies (1)
     Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles (2)
   Other Accounts (3)  
                    

Name of Portfolio

Manager

   Number of
Accounts
   Total Assets
(in millions)
     Number of
Accounts
   Total Assets
(in millions)
   Number of
Accounts
   Total Assets
(in millions)
 

Timothy M. Heaney

   10      $7,884*            22      $2,058  

Lisa H. Leonard

   10      $7,884*            22      $2,058  

 

 

  (1) 

Registered Investment Companies include all open and closed-end mutual funds. For Registered Investment Companies, assets represent net assets of all open-end investment companies and gross assets of all closed- end investment companies.

 

  (2) 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles include, but are not limited to, securities of issuers exempt from registration under Section 3(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, such as private placements and hedge funds.

 

  (3) 

Other Accounts include, but are not limited to, individual managed accounts, separate accounts, institutional accounts, pension funds and collateralized bond obligations.

 

  *

Mr. Heaney and Ms. Leonard are Portfolio Managers for several open-end and closed-end registered investment companies with $7.884 billion in assets of which $135 million are municipal securities.

There may be certain inherent conflicts of interest that arise in connection with the portfolio managers’ management of the Fund’s investments and the investments of any other accounts they manage. Such conflicts could include aggregation of orders for all accounts managed by a particular portfolio manager, the allocation of purchases across all such accounts, the allocation of IPOs and any soft dollar arrangements that the Adviser may have in place that could benefit the Fund and/or such other accounts. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to address any such conflicts of interest to ensure that all management time, resources and investment opportunities are allocated equitably. There have been no material compliance issues with respect to any of these policies and procedures during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year.

Compensation of the Fund’s Portfolio Managers

The following is a description of the compensation structure, as of October 31, 2020, of the Fund’s portfolio managers.

The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (“Virtus”). Virtus and its affiliated investment management firms, including the Adviser, believe that their compensation programs are adequate and competitive to attract and retain high caliber investment professionals. The portfolio managers receive a base salary, an incentive bonus opportunity, and a benefits package, as detailed below. Highly-compensated individuals participate in a long-term incentive compensation program, including potential awards of Virtus restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with multi-year vesting, subject to Virtus board approval, and may also take advantage of opportunities to defer their compensation and potentially defer their current tax liability.

Base Salary: Each portfolio manager is paid a fixed base salary, which is determined by Virtus and the Adviser and is designed to be competitive in light of the individual’s experience and responsibilities. Virtus management utilizes results of investment industry compensation surveys conducted by an independent third party in evaluating competitive market compensation for its investment management professionals.

Incentive Bonus: Incentive bonus pools are based on firm profits. The short-term incentive payment is generally paid in cash, but a portion may be made in Virtus RSUs. Individual payments are assessed using comparisons of actual investment performance with specific peer group or index measures established at the beginning of each calendar year. Performance of the Fund managed is measured over one-, three- and five-year periods. Generally, an individual manager’s participation is based on the performance of each fund managed as weighted roughly by total assets in each of these funds. Incentive bonus compensation of the Fund’s portfolio managers is currently comprised of two main components:

First, 70% of the incentive is based on: (i) the pre-tax performance of the Fund, as measured by total return over one-, three-, and five- year periods against specified benchmarks and/or peer groups; (ii) the success of the individual manager in achieving assigned goals; and (iii) a subjective assessment of the manager’s contribution to the efforts of the team. The total return component of the performance portion of portfolio managers’ incentive bonus compensation is compared to the Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged) average NAV return. Portfolio managers who manage more than one product may have other components in their formulaic calculation that are appropriate to the other products, weighted according to the proportion of the manager’s time that is allocated to each specific product.

Second, 30% of the target incentive is based on financial measures of Virtus. These financial measures include: adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization; gross inflows, and product investment performance. A portion of the total incentive bonus can be paid in Virtus RSUs that vest over three years.


The performance portion of portfolio managers’ incentive bonus compensation is not based on the value of assets held in the Fund’s portfolio (except to the extent that the level of assets in the Fund’s portfolio affects the advisory fee received by the Adviser and, thus indirectly, the profitability of Virtus).

Other Benefits: Portfolio managers are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan, health insurance, and other benefits offered generally to the firm’s employees that could include granting of RSUs in Virtus stock.

Equity Ownership of Portfolio Managers

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities in the Fund beneficially owned, as of October 31, 2020, by each of the portfolio managers identified above.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager    Dollar Range of Equity Securities in
the Fund

Timothy M. Heaney

   $100,001-$500,000

Lisa H. Leonard

   -0-

 

ITEM 9.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

During the period covered by this report, no purchases were made by or on behalf of the registrant or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) of shares or other units of any class of the registrant’s equity securities that is registered by the registrant pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors have been implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (i.e., in the registrant’s Proxy Statement dated January 24, 2020) or this Item.

 

ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) are effective, based on an evaluation of those controls and procedures made as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act.

(b) There has been no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURES OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS

 

(a)   

Exhibit 99.CERT

  

Certifications pursuant to Section  302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(b)

  

Exhibit 99.906CERT

  

Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant)   

 DTF TAX-FREE INCOME INC.

By (Signature and Title)

  

 /s/ NATHAN I. PARTAIN                                                     

  

 Nathan I. Partain

  

 President and Chief Executive Officer

  

 (Principal Executive Officer)

Date

  

 December 29, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title)

  

 /s/ NATHAN I. PARTAIN                                                     

  

 Nathan I. Partain

  

 President and Chief Executive Officer

  

 (Principal Executive Officer)

Date

  

 December 29, 2020

By (Signature and Title)

  

 /s/ ALAN M. MEDER                                                     

  

 Alan M. Meder

  

 Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date     December 29, 2020