Deutsche DWS Tax Free Trust

08/01/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/01/2025 11:52

Annual Report by Investment Company (Form N-CSR)

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: 811-03632

Deutsche DWS Tax Free Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

875 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022-6225

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 454-4500

Diane Kenneally

100 Summer Street

Boston, MA 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Date of fiscal year end: 5/31
Date of reporting period: 5/31/2025
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
(a)

DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

Class A: SZMAX

Annual Shareholder Report-May 31, 2025

This annual shareholder report contains important information about DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (the "Fund") for the period June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025. You can find additional information about the Fund on the Fund's website at dws.com/mutualreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 728-3337.

What were the Fund costs for the last year?

(Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)

Fund
Costs of a $10,000 investment
Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment
Class A
$75
0.74%

Gross expense ratio as of the latest prospectus: 0.79%. See prospectus for any contractual or voluntary waivers; without a waiver, costs would have been higher.

How did the Fund perform last year and what affected its performance?

Class A shares of the Fund returned 2.32% (unadjusted for sales charges) for the period ended May 31, 2025. The Fund's broad-based index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index, returned 2.03% for the same period, while the Fund's additional, more narrowly based index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index, returned 3.18%.

Municipal bond market performance was pressured over the period by elevated new issue supply, although this was offset to a degree by positive flows into tax-free exchange traded funds. Yields for longer maturity municipals finished the period higher, weighing on returns for those issues.

The Fund was overweight issues rated single A and BBB (the lowest investment grade category) as well as non-rated issues. This positioning proved additive as lower quality segments of the municipal market led performance. In sector terms, overweight allocations to housing, continuing care retirement community and industry development/pollution control revenue bonds aided performance. Exposure to shorter maturity issues also contributed positively as yields moved lower on the front end of the municipal curve.

The Fund's overweight allocation to bonds with remaining maturities of 15 years or longer weighed on performance as the negative impact on prices from rising yields more than offset the higher income offered by these issues. In addition, overweight allocations to state and local general obligation and tax-backed bonds detracted from return.

Fund Performance

Cumulative Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment

(Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)

Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a market value-weighted index of investment-grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more.

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a required broad-based index that represents the Fund's overall debt market.

Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index is a sub-index of the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index. It is a rules-based market value-weighted index of bonds with maturities of one year to 17 years designed for the tax-exempt bond market.

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index is a more narrowly based index that reflects the market sector in which the Fund invests.

Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.

Class A
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index
'15
$9,725
$10,000
$10,000
'15
$9,711
$9,991
$9,999
'15
$9,771
$10,063
$10,060
'15
$9,789
$10,083
$10,079
'15
$9,841
$10,156
$10,150
'15
$9,877
$10,196
$10,189
'15
$9,905
$10,237
$10,210
'15
$9,949
$10,309
$10,264
'16
$10,075
$10,432
$10,386
'16
$10,079
$10,448
$10,404
'16
$10,096
$10,481
$10,414
'16
$10,149
$10,558
$10,477
'16
$10,142
$10,587
$10,481
'16
$10,261
$10,755
$10,611
'16
$10,263
$10,762
$10,625
'16
$10,265
$10,777
$10,629
'16
$10,234
$10,723
$10,591
'16
$10,152
$10,610
$10,505
'16
$9,833
$10,215
$10,166
'16
$9,911
$10,334
$10,265
'17
$9,964
$10,403
$10,337
'17
$10,020
$10,475
$10,406
'17
$10,040
$10,498
$10,424
'17
$10,111
$10,574
$10,498
'17
$10,226
$10,742
$10,636
'17
$10,186
$10,703
$10,595
'17
$10,241
$10,790
$10,673
'17
$10,304
$10,872
$10,743
'17
$10,256
$10,816
$10,693
'17
$10,259
$10,843
$10,709
'17
$10,186
$10,785
$10,622
'17
$10,253
$10,898
$10,710
'18
$10,160
$10,769
$10,616
'18
$10,122
$10,737
$10,589
'18
$10,143
$10,777
$10,612
'18
$10,103
$10,738
$10,584
'18
$10,195
$10,861
$10,683
'18
$10,200
$10,870
$10,702
'18
$10,221
$10,897
$10,736
'18
$10,225
$10,925
$10,755
'18
$10,168
$10,854
$10,695
'18
$10,103
$10,787
$10,652
'18
$10,198
$10,907
$10,760
'18
$10,296
$11,037
$10,879
'19
$10,373
$11,121
$10,971
'19
$10,434
$11,180
$11,024
'19
$10,565
$11,357
$11,152
'19
$10,598
$11,400
$11,175
'19
$10,730
$11,557
$11,311
'19
$10,781
$11,599
$11,357
'19
$10,859
$11,693
$11,447
'19
$10,991
$11,877
$11,580
'19
$10,905
$11,782
$11,486
'19
$10,919
$11,803
$11,516
'19
$10,924
$11,833
$11,543
'19
$10,955
$11,869
$11,579
'20
$11,125
$12,082
$11,757
'20
$11,250
$12,238
$11,868
'20
$10,864
$11,794
$11,522
'20
$10,721
$11,646
$11,439
'20
$11,024
$12,016
$11,764
'20
$11,131
$12,115
$11,832
'20
$11,294
$12,319
$11,998
'20
$11,269
$12,262
$11,958
'20
$11,264
$12,264
$11,968
'20
$11,248
$12,227
$11,937
'20
$11,384
$12,412
$12,070
'20
$11,458
$12,488
$12,127
'21
$11,526
$12,567
$12,185
'21
$11,358
$12,367
$12,031
'21
$11,417
$12,444
$12,088
'21
$11,505
$12,548
$12,164
'21
$11,554
$12,586
$12,181
'21
$11,584
$12,620
$12,196
'21
$11,671
$12,725
$12,286
'21
$11,640
$12,678
$12,261
'21
$11,552
$12,587
$12,186
'21
$11,521
$12,550
$12,150
'21
$11,596
$12,657
$12,214
'21
$11,611
$12,677
$12,232
'22
$11,335
$12,330
$11,933
'22
$11,275
$12,286
$11,896
'22
$10,960
$11,888
$11,579
'22
$10,686
$11,559
$11,337
'22
$10,813
$11,730
$11,496
'22
$10,685
$11,538
$11,400
'22
$10,921
$11,843
$11,654
'22
$10,705
$11,584
$11,453
'22
$10,371
$11,139
$11,105
'22
$10,314
$11,046
$11,063
'22
$10,694
$11,563
$11,450
'22
$10,717
$11,596
$11,504
'23
$10,998
$11,929
$11,763
'23
$10,773
$11,660
$11,541
'23
$10,966
$11,918
$11,766
'23
$10,971
$11,891
$11,733
'23
$10,874
$11,788
$11,629
'23
$10,949
$11,906
$11,717
'23
$10,974
$11,953
$11,763
'23
$10,887
$11,781
$11,645
'23
$10,649
$11,436
$11,383
'23
$10,562
$11,338
$11,336
'23
$11,057
$12,058
$11,884
'23
$11,308
$12,339
$12,109
'24
$11,293
$12,275
$12,062
'24
$11,330
$12,291
$12,074
'24
$11,336
$12,291
$12,074
'24
$11,229
$12,139
$11,950
'24
$11,215
$12,103
$11,879
'24
$11,377
$12,289
$12,032
'24
$11,457
$12,401
$12,139
'24
$11,547
$12,498
$12,247
'24
$11,648
$12,622
$12,347
'24
$11,487
$12,438
$12,190
'24
$11,631
$12,653
$12,340
'24
$11,511
$12,468
$12,216
'25
$11,582
$12,531
$12,299
'25
$11,696
$12,655
$12,419
'25
$11,523
$12,441
$12,263
'25
$11,478
$12,341
$12,187
'25
$11,475
$12,348
$12,256

Yearly periods ended May 31

The Fund's growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 2.75%. This results in a net initial invesment of $9,725.

Average Annual Total Returns

Class/Index
1-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Class A Unadjusted for Sales Charge
2.32%
0.81%
1.67%
Class A Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge (max 2.75% load)
-0.49%
0.25%
1.39%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index
2.03%
0.55%
2.13%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index
3.18%
0.82%
2.06%

Performance shown is historical. The Fund's past performance is not a good predictor or guarantee of the Fund's future performance. Investment return and principal fluctuate, so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. The performance graph and returns table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.Please visit dws.com/en-us/products/mutual-funds for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had reflected sales charges.

Key Fund Statistics

Net Assets ($)
727,149,078
Number of Portfolio Holdings
322
Portfolio Turnover Rate (%)
48
Total Net Advisory Fees Paid ($)
2,380,071
Modified Duration to Worst
5.3 years

Modified duration to worst is the measure of sensitivity of the prices of bonds held by the Fund to a change in interest rates, computed using each bond's nearest call or maturity date.

What did the Fund invest in?

Holdings-based data is subject to change.

The quality ratings represent the highest of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch") or S&P Global Ratings ("S&P") credit ratings. The ratings of Moody's, Fitch and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. Credit quality measures a bond issuer's ability to repay interest and principal in a timely manner. Ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. Credit quality does not remove market risk and is subject to change.

Asset Allocation

Asset Type
% of Net Assets
Revenue Bonds
83%
General Obligation Bonds
13%
Lease Obligations
4%
Escrow to Maturity/Prerefunded Bonds
1%
Variable Rate Demand Notes
0%
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
(1%)
Total
100%

Credit Quality

Credit Rating
% of Net Assets
AAA
12%
AA
47%
A
23%
BBB
12%
BB
2%
B
1%
Not Rated
5%

Top Five State Allocations

Holdings
% of Net Assets
Texas
15%
New York
10%
Pennsylvania
7%
California
7%
Georgia
6%

Additional Information

If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including, but not limited to, its prospectus, quarterly holdings, Board fee evaluation reports, and financial statements and other information, please visit dws.com/mutualreports. For information about the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures and how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities, please visit dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting. This additional information is also available free of charge by contacting us at (800) 728-3337.

Householding

In order to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce expenses, we generally send a single copy of any shareholder report and prospectus to each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact your financial representative or call DWS toll free at (800) 728-3337.

Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity, and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Investments in lower-quality ("junk bonds") and non-rated securities present greater risk of loss than investments in higher-quality securities. Municipal securities are subject to the risk that litigation, legislation or other political events, local business or economic conditions or the bankruptcy of the issuer could have a significant effect on an issuer's ability to make payments of principal and/or interest. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds and there may be less information available on the financial condition of issuers of municipal securities than for public corporations. Although the Fund seeks income that is exempt from federal income taxes, a portion of the Fund's distributions may be subject to federal, state, and local taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. Please read the prospectus for details.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund, which can be requested by calling (800) 728-3337, contacting your financial representative, or visit dws.com/mutualreportsto view or download a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc., which offers investment products, or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C., which offer advisory services.

©2025 DWS Group GmbH&Co. KGaA. All rights reserved

DITFF-TSRA-A

R-101129-2 (07/25)

DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

Class C: SZMCX

Annual Shareholder Report-May 31, 2025

This annual shareholder report contains important information about DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (the "Fund") for the period June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025. You can find additional information about the Fund on the Fund's website at dws.com/mutualreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 728-3337.

What were the Fund costs for the last year?

(Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)

Fund
Costs of a $10,000 investment
Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment
Class C
$150
1.49%

Gross expense ratio as of the latest prospectus: 1.57%. See prospectus for any contractual or voluntary waivers; without a waiver, costs would have been higher.

How did the Fund perform last year and what affected its performance?

Class C shares of the Fund returned 1.65% (unadjusted for sales charges) for the period ended May 31, 2025. The Fund's broad-based index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index, returned 2.03% for the same period, while the Fund's additional, more narrowly based index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index, returned 3.18%.

Municipal bond market performance was pressured over the period by elevated new issue supply, although this was offset to a degree by positive flows into tax-free exchange traded funds. Yields for longer maturity municipals finished the period higher, weighing on returns for those issues.

The Fund was overweight issues rated single A and BBB (the lowest investment grade category) as well as non-rated issues. This positioning proved additive as lower quality segments of the municipal market led performance. In sector terms, overweight allocations to housing, continuing care retirement community and industry development/pollution control revenue bonds aided performance. Exposure to shorter maturity issues also contributed positively as yields moved lower on the front end of the municipal curve.

The Fund's overweight allocation to bonds with remaining maturities of 15 years or longer weighed on performance as the negative impact on prices from rising yields more than offset the higher income offered by these issues. In addition, overweight allocations to state and local general obligation and tax-backed bonds detracted from return.

Fund Performance

Cumulative Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment

Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a market value-weighted index of investment-grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more.

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a required broad-based index that represents the Fund's overall debt market.

Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index is a sub-index of the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index. It is a rules-based market value-weighted index of bonds with maturities of one year to 17 years designed for the tax-exempt bond market.

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index is a more narrowly based index that reflects the market sector in which the Fund invests.

Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.

Class C
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index
'15
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
'15
$9,971
$9,991
$9,999
'15
$10,034
$10,063
$10,060
'15
$10,039
$10,083
$10,079
'15
$10,094
$10,156
$10,150
'15
$10,124
$10,196
$10,189
'15
$10,138
$10,237
$10,210
'15
$10,185
$10,309
$10,264
'16
$10,300
$10,432
$10,386
'16
$10,297
$10,448
$10,404
'16
$10,317
$10,481
$10,414
'16
$10,364
$10,558
$10,477
'16
$10,342
$10,587
$10,481
'16
$10,465
$10,755
$10,611
'16
$10,460
$10,762
$10,625
'16
$10,455
$10,777
$10,629
'16
$10,408
$10,723
$10,591
'16
$10,327
$10,610
$10,505
'16
$9,988
$10,215
$10,166
'16
$10,070
$10,334
$10,265
'17
$10,109
$10,403
$10,337
'17
$10,159
$10,475
$10,406
'17
$10,173
$10,498
$10,424
'17
$10,239
$10,574
$10,498
'17
$10,357
$10,742
$10,636
'17
$10,311
$10,703
$10,595
'17
$10,351
$10,790
$10,673
'17
$10,417
$10,872
$10,743
'17
$10,362
$10,816
$10,693
'17
$10,359
$10,843
$10,709
'17
$10,269
$10,785
$10,622
'17
$10,329
$10,898
$10,710
'18
$10,229
$10,769
$10,616
'18
$10,193
$10,737
$10,589
'18
$10,207
$10,777
$10,612
'18
$10,161
$10,738
$10,584
'18
$10,238
$10,861
$10,683
'18
$10,236
$10,870
$10,702
'18
$10,251
$10,897
$10,736
'18
$10,257
$10,925
$10,755
'18
$10,194
$10,854
$10,695
'18
$10,122
$10,787
$10,652
'18
$10,211
$10,907
$10,760
'18
$10,303
$11,037
$10,879
'19
$10,373
$11,121
$10,971
'19
$10,428
$11,180
$11,024
'19
$10,553
$11,357
$11,152
'19
$10,571
$11,400
$11,175
'19
$10,704
$11,557
$11,311
'19
$10,740
$11,599
$11,357
'19
$10,810
$11,693
$11,447
'19
$10,934
$11,877
$11,580
'19
$10,852
$11,782
$11,486
'19
$10,859
$11,803
$11,516
'19
$10,857
$11,833
$11,543
'19
$10,881
$11,869
$11,579
'20
$11,043
$12,082
$11,757
'20
$11,151
$12,238
$11,868
'20
$10,771
$11,794
$11,522
'20
$10,612
$11,646
$11,439
'20
$10,915
$12,016
$11,764
'20
$11,015
$12,115
$11,832
'20
$11,168
$12,319
$11,998
'20
$11,127
$12,262
$11,958
'20
$11,124
$12,264
$11,968
'20
$11,093
$12,227
$11,937
'20
$11,229
$12,412
$12,070
'20
$11,285
$12,488
$12,127
'21
$11,355
$12,567
$12,185
'21
$11,183
$12,367
$12,031
'21
$11,224
$12,444
$12,088
'21
$11,313
$12,548
$12,164
'21
$11,354
$12,586
$12,181
'21
$11,377
$12,620
$12,196
'21
$11,454
$12,725
$12,286
'21
$11,417
$12,678
$12,261
'21
$11,323
$12,587
$12,186
'21
$11,286
$12,550
$12,150
'21
$11,353
$12,657
$12,214
'21
$11,350
$12,677
$12,232
'22
$11,083
$12,330
$11,933
'22
$11,018
$12,286
$11,896
'22
$10,703
$11,888
$11,579
'22
$10,428
$11,559
$11,337
'22
$10,546
$11,730
$11,496
'22
$10,415
$11,538
$11,400
'22
$10,639
$11,843
$11,654
'22
$10,421
$11,584
$11,453
'22
$10,089
$11,139
$11,105
'22
$10,018
$11,046
$11,063
'22
$10,391
$11,563
$11,450
'22
$10,396
$11,596
$11,504
'23
$10,673
$11,929
$11,763
'23
$10,448
$11,660
$11,541
'23
$10,629
$11,918
$11,766
'23
$10,626
$11,891
$11,733
'23
$10,526
$11,788
$11,629
'23
$10,593
$11,906
$11,717
'23
$10,609
$11,953
$11,763
'23
$10,509
$11,781
$11,645
'23
$10,282
$11,436
$11,383
'23
$10,192
$11,338
$11,336
'23
$10,663
$12,058
$11,884
'23
$10,898
$12,339
$12,109
'24
$10,877
$12,275
$12,062
'24
$10,907
$12,291
$12,074
'24
$10,905
$12,291
$12,074
'24
$10,796
$12,139
$11,950
'24
$10,765
$12,103
$11,879
'24
$10,915
$12,289
$12,032
'24
$10,994
$12,401
$12,139
'24
$11,073
$12,498
$12,247
'24
$11,163
$12,622
$12,347
'24
$11,002
$12,438
$12,190
'24
$11,133
$12,653
$12,340
'24
$11,011
$12,468
$12,216
'25
$11,061
$12,531
$12,299
'25
$11,174
$12,655
$12,419
'25
$10,992
$12,441
$12,263
'25
$10,942
$12,341
$12,187
'25
$10,943
$12,348
$12,256

Yearly periods ended May 31

Average Annual Total Returns

Class/Index
1-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Class C Unadjusted for Sales Charge
1.65%
0.05%
0.91%
Class C Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge (max 1.00% CDSC)
0.66%
0.05%
0.91%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index
2.03%
0.55%
2.13%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index
3.18%
0.82%
2.06%

Performance shown is historical. The Fund's past performance is not a good predictor or guarantee of the Fund's future performance. Investment return and principal fluctuate, so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. The performance graph and returns table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.Please visit dws.com/en-us/products/mutual-funds for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions.

Key Fund Statistics

Net Assets ($)
727,149,078
Number of Portfolio Holdings
322
Portfolio Turnover Rate (%)
48
Total Net Advisory Fees Paid ($)
2,380,071
Modified Duration to Worst
5.3 years

Modified duration to worst is the measure of sensitivity of the prices of bonds held by the Fund to a change in interest rates, computed using each bond's nearest call or maturity date.

What did the Fund invest in?

Holdings-based data is subject to change.

The quality ratings represent the highest of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch") or S&P Global Ratings ("S&P") credit ratings. The ratings of Moody's, Fitch and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. Credit quality measures a bond issuer's ability to repay interest and principal in a timely manner. Ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. Credit quality does not remove market risk and is subject to change.

Asset Allocation

Asset Type
% of Net Assets
Revenue Bonds
83%
General Obligation Bonds
13%
Lease Obligations
4%
Escrow to Maturity/Prerefunded Bonds
1%
Variable Rate Demand Notes
0%
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
(1%)
Total
100%

Credit Quality

Credit Rating
% of Net Assets
AAA
12%
AA
47%
A
23%
BBB
12%
BB
2%
B
1%
Not Rated
5%

Top Five State Allocations

Holdings
% of Net Assets
Texas
15%
New York
10%
Pennsylvania
7%
California
7%
Georgia
6%

Additional Information

If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including, but not limited to, its prospectus, quarterly holdings, Board fee evaluation reports, and financial statements and other information, please visit dws.com/mutualreports. For information about the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures and how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities, please visit dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting. This additional information is also available free of charge by contacting us at (800) 728-3337.

Householding

In order to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce expenses, we generally send a single copy of any shareholder report and prospectus to each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact your financial representative or call DWS toll free at (800) 728-3337.

Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity, and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Investments in lower-quality ("junk bonds") and non-rated securities present greater risk of loss than investments in higher-quality securities. Municipal securities are subject to the risk that litigation, legislation or other political events, local business or economic conditions or the bankruptcy of the issuer could have a significant effect on an issuer's ability to make payments of principal and/or interest. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds and there may be less information available on the financial condition of issuers of municipal securities than for public corporations. Although the Fund seeks income that is exempt from federal income taxes, a portion of the Fund's distributions may be subject to federal, state, and local taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. Please read the prospectus for details.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund, which can be requested by calling (800) 728-3337, contacting your financial representative, or visit dws.com/mutualreportsto view or download a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc., which offers investment products, or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C., which offer advisory services.

©2025 DWS Group GmbH&Co. KGaA. All rights reserved

DITFF-TSRA-C

R-101129-2 (07/25)

DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

Class S: SCMTX

Annual Shareholder Report-May 31, 2025

This annual shareholder report contains important information about DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (the "Fund") for the period June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025. You can find additional information about the Fund on the Fund's website at dws.com/mutualreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 728-3337.

This report describes changes to the Fund that occurred during the reporting period.

What were the Fund costs for the last year?

(Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)

Fund
Costs of a $10,000 investment
Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment
Class S
$53
0.52%

Gross expense ratio as of the latest prospectus: 0.63%. See prospectus for any contractual or voluntary waivers; without a waiver, costs would have been higher.

How did the Fund perform last year and what affected its performance?

Class S shares of the Fund returned 2.54% for the period ended May 31, 2025. The Fund's broad-based index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index, returned 2.03% for the same period, while the Fund's additional, more narrowly based index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index, returned 3.18%.

Municipal bond market performance was pressured over the period by elevated new issue supply, although this was offset to a degree by positive flows into tax-free exchange traded funds. Yields for longer maturity municipals finished the period higher, weighing on returns for those issues.

The Fund was overweight issues rated single A and BBB (the lowest investment grade category) as well as non-rated issues. This positioning proved additive as lower quality segments of the municipal market led performance. In sector terms, overweight allocations to housing, continuing care retirement community and industry development/pollution control revenue bonds aided performance. Exposure to shorter maturity issues also contributed positively as yields moved lower on the front end of the municipal curve.

The Fund's overweight allocation to bonds with remaining maturities of 15 years or longer weighed on performance as the negative impact on prices from rising yields more than offset the higher income offered by these issues. In addition, overweight allocations to state and local general obligation and tax-backed bonds detracted from return.

Fund Performance

Cumulative Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment

Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a market value-weighted index of investment-grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more.

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a required broad-based index that represents the Fund's overall debt market.

Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index is a sub-index of the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index. It is a rules-based market value-weighted index of bonds with maturities of one year to 17 years designed for the tax-exempt bond market.

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index is a more narrowly based index that reflects the market sector in which the Fund invests.

Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.

Class S
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index
'15
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
'15
$9,979
$9,991
$9,999
'15
$10,042
$10,063
$10,060
'15
$10,064
$10,083
$10,079
'15
$10,128
$10,156
$10,150
'15
$10,167
$10,196
$10,189
'15
$10,189
$10,237
$10,210
'15
$10,236
$10,309
$10,264
'16
$10,369
$10,432
$10,386
'16
$10,374
$10,448
$10,404
'16
$10,394
$10,481
$10,414
'16
$10,459
$10,558
$10,477
'16
$10,445
$10,587
$10,481
'16
$10,579
$10,755
$10,611
'16
$10,583
$10,762
$10,625
'16
$10,587
$10,777
$10,629
'16
$10,548
$10,723
$10,591
'16
$10,474
$10,610
$10,505
'16
$10,139
$10,215
$10,166
'16
$10,231
$10,334
$10,265
'17
$10,279
$10,403
$10,337
'17
$10,338
$10,475
$10,406
'17
$10,361
$10,498
$10,424
'17
$10,437
$10,574
$10,498
'17
$10,557
$10,742
$10,636
'17
$10,518
$10,703
$10,595
'17
$10,577
$10,790
$10,673
'17
$10,653
$10,872
$10,743
'17
$10,597
$10,816
$10,693
'17
$10,603
$10,843
$10,709
'17
$10,528
$10,785
$10,622
'17
$10,599
$10,898
$10,710
'18
$10,506
$10,769
$10,616
'18
$10,477
$10,737
$10,589
'18
$10,491
$10,777
$10,612
'18
$10,461
$10,738
$10,584
'18
$10,549
$10,861
$10,683
'18
$10,556
$10,870
$10,702
'18
$10,581
$10,897
$10,736
'18
$10,587
$10,925
$10,755
'18
$10,530
$10,854
$10,695
'18
$10,465
$10,787
$10,652
'18
$10,565
$10,907
$10,760
'18
$10,669
$11,037
$10,879
'19
$10,761
$11,121
$10,971
'19
$10,816
$11,180
$11,024
'19
$10,955
$11,357
$11,152
'19
$10,992
$11,400
$11,175
'19
$11,131
$11,557
$11,311
'19
$11,186
$11,599
$11,357
'19
$11,269
$11,693
$11,447
'19
$11,408
$11,877
$11,580
'19
$11,322
$11,782
$11,486
'19
$11,339
$11,803
$11,516
'19
$11,346
$11,833
$11,543
'19
$11,381
$11,869
$11,579
'20
$11,560
$12,082
$11,757
'20
$11,692
$12,238
$11,868
'20
$11,294
$11,794
$11,522
'20
$11,146
$11,646
$11,439
'20
$11,464
$12,016
$11,764
'20
$11,588
$12,115
$11,832
'20
$11,750
$12,319
$11,998
'20
$11,726
$12,262
$11,958
'20
$11,723
$12,264
$11,968
'20
$11,709
$12,227
$11,937
'20
$11,853
$12,412
$12,070
'20
$11,933
$12,488
$12,127
'21
$12,007
$12,567
$12,185
'21
$11,843
$12,367
$12,031
'21
$11,897
$12,444
$12,088
'21
$12,002
$12,548
$12,164
'21
$12,055
$12,586
$12,181
'21
$12,089
$12,620
$12,196
'21
$12,172
$12,725
$12,286
'21
$12,143
$12,678
$12,261
'21
$12,053
$12,587
$12,186
'21
$12,033
$12,550
$12,150
'21
$12,105
$12,657
$12,214
'21
$12,122
$12,677
$12,232
'22
$11,837
$12,330
$11,933
'22
$11,777
$12,286
$11,896
'22
$11,450
$11,888
$11,579
'22
$11,165
$11,559
$11,337
'22
$11,301
$11,730
$11,496
'22
$11,169
$11,538
$11,400
'22
$11,419
$11,843
$11,654
'22
$11,206
$11,584
$11,453
'22
$10,848
$11,139
$11,105
'22
$10,791
$11,046
$11,063
'22
$11,191
$11,563
$11,450
'22
$11,217
$11,596
$11,504
'23
$11,514
$11,929
$11,763
'23
$11,291
$11,660
$11,541
'23
$11,496
$11,918
$11,766
'23
$11,503
$11,891
$11,733
'23
$11,404
$11,788
$11,629
'23
$11,475
$11,906
$11,717
'23
$11,513
$11,953
$11,763
'23
$11,414
$11,781
$11,645
'23
$11,167
$11,436
$11,383
'23
$11,078
$11,338
$11,336
'23
$11,600
$12,058
$11,884
'23
$11,876
$12,339
$12,109
'24
$11,863
$12,275
$12,062
'24
$11,894
$12,291
$12,074
'24
$11,902
$12,291
$12,074
'24
$11,793
$12,139
$11,950
'24
$11,780
$12,103
$11,879
'24
$11,953
$12,289
$12,032
'24
$12,050
$12,401
$12,139
'24
$12,147
$12,498
$12,247
'24
$12,245
$12,622
$12,347
'24
$12,089
$12,438
$12,190
'24
$12,242
$12,653
$12,340
'24
$12,107
$12,468
$12,216
'25
$12,183
$12,531
$12,299
'25
$12,305
$12,655
$12,419
'25
$12,125
$12,441
$12,263
'25
$12,080
$12,341
$12,187
'25
$12,079
$12,348
$12,256

Yearly periods ended May 31

Average Annual Total Returns

Class/Index
1-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Class S No Sales Charge
2.54%
1.05%
1.91%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index
2.03%
0.55%
2.13%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index
3.18%
0.82%
2.06%

Performance shown is historical. The Fund's past performance is not a good predictor or guarantee of the Fund's future performance. Investment return and principal fluctuate, so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. The performance graph and returns table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.Please visit dws.com/en-us/products/mutual-funds for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions.

Key Fund Statistics

Net Assets ($)
727,149,078
Number of Portfolio Holdings
322
Portfolio Turnover Rate (%)
48
Total Net Advisory Fees Paid ($)
2,380,071
Modified Duration to Worst
5.3 years

Modified duration to worst is the measure of sensitivity of the prices of bonds held by the Fund to a change in interest rates, computed using each bond's nearest call or maturity date.

What did the Fund invest in?

Holdings-based data is subject to change.

The quality ratings represent the highest of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch") or S&P Global Ratings ("S&P") credit ratings. The ratings of Moody's, Fitch and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. Credit quality measures a bond issuer's ability to repay interest and principal in a timely manner. Ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. Credit quality does not remove market risk and is subject to change.

Asset Allocation

Asset Type
% of Net Assets
Revenue Bonds
83%
General Obligation Bonds
13%
Lease Obligations
4%
Escrow to Maturity/Prerefunded Bonds
1%
Variable Rate Demand Notes
0%
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
(1%)
Total
100%

Credit Quality

Credit Rating
% of Net Assets
AAA
12%
AA
47%
A
23%
BBB
12%
BB
2%
B
1%
Not Rated
5%

Top Five State Allocations

Holdings
% of Net Assets
Texas
15%
New York
10%
Pennsylvania
7%
California
7%
Georgia
6%

Material Fund Changes

This is a summary of certain changes of the Fund since June 1, 2024. For more information, review the Fund's current prospectus at dws.com/mutualreports, or call (800) 728-3337.

Effective October 1, 2024, the Fund's contractual cap on total annual operating expense for Class S shares changed from 0.49% to 0.54%. The cap excludes certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses.

Additional Information

If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including, but not limited to, its prospectus, quarterly holdings, Board fee evaluation reports, and financial statements and other information, please visit dws.com/mutualreports. For information about the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures and how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities, please visit dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting. This additional information is also available free of charge by contacting us at (800) 728-3337.

Householding

In order to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce expenses, we generally send a single copy of any shareholder report and prospectus to each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact your financial representative or call DWS toll free at (800) 728-3337.

Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity, and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Investments in lower-quality ("junk bonds") and non-rated securities present greater risk of loss than investments in higher-quality securities. Municipal securities are subject to the risk that litigation, legislation or other political events, local business or economic conditions or the bankruptcy of the issuer could have a significant effect on an issuer's ability to make payments of principal and/or interest. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds and there may be less information available on the financial condition of issuers of municipal securities than for public corporations. Although the Fund seeks income that is exempt from federal income taxes, a portion of the Fund's distributions may be subject to federal, state, and local taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. Please read the prospectus for details.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund, which can be requested by calling (800) 728-3337, contacting your financial representative, or visit dws.com/mutualreportsto view or download a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc., which offers investment products, or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C., which offer advisory services.

©2025 DWS Group GmbH&Co. KGaA. All rights reserved

DITFF-TSRA-S

R-101129-2 (07/25)

DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

Institutional Class: SZMIX

Annual Shareholder Report-May 31, 2025

This annual shareholder report contains important information about DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (the "Fund") for the period June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025. You can find additional information about the Fund on the Fund's website at dws.com/mutualreports. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 728-3337.

What were the Fund costs for the last year?

(Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)

Fund
Costs of a $10,000 investment
Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment
Institutional Class
$50
0.49%

Gross expense ratio as of the latest prospectus: 0.55%. See prospectus for any contractual or voluntary waivers; without a waiver, costs would have been higher.

How did the Fund perform last year and what affected its performance?

Institutional Class shares of the Fund returned 2.67% for the period ended May 31, 2025. The Fund's broad-based index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index, returned 2.03% for the same period, while the Fund's additional, more narrowly based index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index, returned 3.18%.

Municipal bond market performance was pressured over the period by elevated new issue supply, although this was offset to a degree by positive flows into tax-free exchange traded funds. Yields for longer maturity municipals finished the period higher, weighing on returns for those issues.

The Fund was overweight issues rated single A and BBB (the lowest investment grade category) as well as non-rated issues. This positioning proved additive as lower quality segments of the municipal market led performance. In sector terms, overweight allocations to housing, continuing care retirement community and industry development/pollution control revenue bonds aided performance. Exposure to shorter maturity issues also contributed positively as yields moved lower on the front end of the municipal curve.

The Fund's overweight allocation to bonds with remaining maturities of 15 years or longer weighed on performance as the negative impact on prices from rising yields more than offset the higher income offered by these issues. In addition, overweight allocations to state and local general obligation and tax-backed bonds detracted from return.

Fund Performance

Cumulative Growth of an Assumed $1,000,000 Investment

Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a market value-weighted index of investment-grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more.

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a required broad-based index that represents the Fund's overall debt market.

Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index is a sub-index of the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index. It is a rules-based market value-weighted index of bonds with maturities of one year to 17 years designed for the tax-exempt bond market.

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index is a more narrowly based index that reflects the market sector in which the Fund invests.

Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.

Institutional Class
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index
'15
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
'15
$997,925
$999,089
$999,900
'15
$1,004,265
$1,006,326
$1,006,003
'15
$1,006,401
$1,008,302
$1,007,875
'15
$1,012,840
$1,015,606
$1,015,034
'15
$1,016,703
$1,019,644
$1,018,922
'15
$1,018,917
$1,023,698
$1,021,035
'15
$1,023,653
$1,030,890
$1,026,391
'16
$1,036,921
$1,043,190
$1,038,572
'16
$1,037,457
$1,044,831
$1,040,406
'16
$1,039,530
$1,048,140
$1,041,376
'16
$1,045,989
$1,055,847
$1,047,655
'16
$1,044,678
$1,058,703
$1,048,131
'16
$1,058,061
$1,075,545
$1,061,110
'16
$1,058,464
$1,076,202
$1,062,543
'16
$1,058,869
$1,077,654
$1,062,916
'16
$1,054,987
$1,072,275
$1,059,072
'16
$1,047,608
$1,061,026
$1,050,476
'16
$1,014,107
$1,021,455
$1,016,625
'16
$1,023,298
$1,033,447
$1,026,502
'17
$1,028,119
$1,040,260
$1,033,727
'17
$1,034,004
$1,047,483
$1,040,627
'17
$1,036,276
$1,049,757
$1,042,381
'17
$1,043,881
$1,057,374
$1,049,820
'17
$1,055,884
$1,074,155
$1,063,577
'17
$1,052,032
$1,070,302
$1,059,498
'17
$1,057,896
$1,078,961
$1,067,260
'17
$1,065,554
$1,087,172
$1,074,332
'17
$1,059,920
$1,081,645
$1,069,337
'17
$1,060,485
$1,084,285
$1,070,854
'17
$1,053,046
$1,078,479
$1,062,152
'17
$1,060,172
$1,089,751
$1,070,959
'18
$1,050,833
$1,076,921
$1,061,623
'18
$1,047,927
$1,073,703
$1,058,907
'18
$1,049,418
$1,077,666
$1,061,230
'18
$1,046,426
$1,073,820
$1,058,398
'18
$1,055,220
$1,086,116
$1,068,317
'18
$1,055,900
$1,087,043
$1,070,202
'18
$1,058,367
$1,089,681
$1,073,625
'18
$1,059,018
$1,092,480
$1,075,537
'18
$1,054,274
$1,085,407
$1,069,543
'18
$1,046,795
$1,078,723
$1,065,150
'18
$1,056,832
$1,090,663
$1,075,990
'18
$1,067,266
$1,103,722
$1,087,883
'19
$1,075,477
$1,112,065
$1,097,115
'19
$1,081,960
$1,118,019
$1,102,440
'19
$1,095,838
$1,135,692
$1,115,239
'19
$1,098,592
$1,139,960
$1,117,506
'19
$1,113,433
$1,155,676
$1,131,066
'19
$1,118,016
$1,159,943
$1,135,749
'19
$1,127,251
$1,169,291
$1,144,697
'19
$1,141,186
$1,187,735
$1,158,007
'19
$1,132,546
$1,178,214
$1,148,606
'19
$1,134,237
$1,180,325
$1,151,604
'19
$1,135,015
$1,183,277
$1,154,281
'19
$1,138,464
$1,186,890
$1,157,924
'20
$1,156,361
$1,208,215
$1,175,673
'20
$1,169,548
$1,223,795
$1,186,789
'20
$1,129,722
$1,179,404
$1,152,154
'20
$1,114,996
$1,164,602
$1,143,941
'20
$1,146,752
$1,201,649
$1,176,395
'20
$1,158,170
$1,211,539
$1,183,202
'20
$1,175,354
$1,231,944
$1,199,784
'20
$1,173,005
$1,226,164
$1,195,768
'20
$1,172,676
$1,226,424
$1,196,757
'20
$1,171,308
$1,222,740
$1,193,744
'20
$1,185,665
$1,241,192
$1,206,951
'20
$1,193,646
$1,248,753
$1,212,724
'21
$1,201,062
$1,256,711
$1,218,499
'21
$1,183,725
$1,236,744
$1,203,113
'21
$1,190,132
$1,244,371
$1,208,784
'21
$1,199,566
$1,254,808
$1,216,355
'21
$1,204,947
$1,258,552
$1,218,118
'21
$1,208,326
$1,262,008
$1,219,643
'21
$1,217,580
$1,272,475
$1,228,575
'21
$1,214,673
$1,267,805
$1,226,056
'21
$1,205,721
$1,258,656
$1,218,555
'21
$1,202,718
$1,254,976
$1,214,984
'21
$1,210,857
$1,265,660
$1,221,433
'21
$1,211,603
$1,267,702
$1,223,192
'22
$1,184,082
$1,233,001
$1,193,304
'22
$1,178,076
$1,228,584
$1,189,614
'22
$1,145,424
$1,188,757
$1,157,942
'22
$1,116,929
$1,155,877
$1,133,668
'22
$1,130,444
$1,173,047
$1,149,636
'22
$1,117,325
$1,153,834
$1,139,972
'22
$1,142,305
$1,184,320
$1,165,422
'22
$1,119,917
$1,158,364
$1,145,274
'22
$1,085,159
$1,113,905
$1,110,529
'22
$1,078,392
$1,104,641
$1,106,310
'22
$1,119,460
$1,156,309
$1,145,044
'22
$1,122,078
$1,159,619
$1,150,435
'23
$1,151,812
$1,192,929
$1,176,300
'23
$1,128,435
$1,165,954
$1,154,148
'23
$1,148,955
$1,191,824
$1,176,552
'23
$1,149,622
$1,189,101
$1,173,299
'23
$1,139,756
$1,178,797
$1,162,938
'23
$1,147,877
$1,190,605
$1,171,715
'23
$1,150,673
$1,195,315
$1,176,314
'23
$1,141,842
$1,178,107
$1,164,468
'23
$1,117,082
$1,143,578
$1,138,307
'23
$1,108,216
$1,133,846
$1,133,632
'23
$1,160,398
$1,205,824
$1,188,407
'23
$1,186,957
$1,233,850
$1,210,920
'24
$1,185,631
$1,227,548
$1,206,245
'24
$1,189,801
$1,229,125
$1,207,437
'24
$1,190,700
$1,229,086
$1,207,387
'24
$1,179,709
$1,213,864
$1,194,989
'24
$1,177,378
$1,210,303
$1,187,892
'24
$1,194,680
$1,228,855
$1,203,241
'24
$1,204,368
$1,240,055
$1,213,923
'24
$1,214,101
$1,249,835
$1,224,661
'24
$1,224,992
$1,262,188
$1,234,664
'24
$1,208,343
$1,243,784
$1,218,997
'24
$1,223,686
$1,265,269
$1,233,974
'24
$1,211,382
$1,246,848
$1,221,572
'25
$1,219,026
$1,253,097
$1,229,915
'25
$1,231,257
$1,265,522
$1,241,944
'25
$1,212,203
$1,244,075
$1,226,322
'25
$1,208,851
$1,234,052
$1,218,738
'25
$1,208,838
$1,234,844
$1,225,623

Yearly periods ended May 31

Average Annual Total Returns

Class/Index
1-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Institutional Class No Sales Charge
2.67%
1.06%
1.91%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index
2.03%
0.55%
2.13%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend (1-17) Index
3.18%
0.82%
2.06%

Performance shown is historical. The Fund's past performance is not a good predictor or guarantee of the Fund's future performance. Investment return and principal fluctuate, so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. The performance graph and returns table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.Please visit dws.com/en-us/products/mutual-funds for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions.

Key Fund Statistics

Net Assets ($)
727,149,078
Number of Portfolio Holdings
322
Portfolio Turnover Rate (%)
48
Total Net Advisory Fees Paid ($)
2,380,071
Modified Duration to Worst
5.3 years

Modified duration to worst is the measure of sensitivity of the prices of bonds held by the Fund to a change in interest rates, computed using each bond's nearest call or maturity date.

What did the Fund invest in?

Holdings-based data is subject to change.

The quality ratings represent the highest of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch") or S&P Global Ratings ("S&P") credit ratings. The ratings of Moody's, Fitch and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. Credit quality measures a bond issuer's ability to repay interest and principal in a timely manner. Ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. Credit quality does not remove market risk and is subject to change.

Asset Allocation

Asset Type
% of Net Assets
Revenue Bonds
83%
General Obligation Bonds
13%
Lease Obligations
4%
Escrow to Maturity/Prerefunded Bonds
1%
Variable Rate Demand Notes
0%
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
(1%)
Total
100%

Credit Quality

Credit Rating
% of Net Assets
AAA
12%
AA
47%
A
23%
BBB
12%
BB
2%
B
1%
Not Rated
5%

Top Five State Allocations

Holdings
% of Net Assets
Texas
15%
New York
10%
Pennsylvania
7%
California
7%
Georgia
6%

Additional Information

If you wish to view additional information about the Fund, including, but not limited to, its prospectus, quarterly holdings, Board fee evaluation reports, and financial statements and other information, please visit dws.com/mutualreports. For information about the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures and how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities, please visit dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting. This additional information is also available free of charge by contacting us at (800) 728-3337.

Householding

In order to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce expenses, we generally send a single copy of any shareholder report and prospectus to each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact your financial representative or call DWS toll free at (800) 728-3337.

Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity, and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Investments in lower-quality ("junk bonds") and non-rated securities present greater risk of loss than investments in higher-quality securities. Municipal securities are subject to the risk that litigation, legislation or other political events, local business or economic conditions or the bankruptcy of the issuer could have a significant effect on an issuer's ability to make payments of principal and/or interest. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds and there may be less information available on the financial condition of issuers of municipal securities than for public corporations. Although the Fund seeks income that is exempt from federal income taxes, a portion of the Fund's distributions may be subject to federal, state, and local taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. Please read the prospectus for details.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund, which can be requested by calling (800) 728-3337, contacting your financial representative, or visit dws.com/mutualreportsto view or download a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc., which offers investment products, or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C., which offer advisory services.

©2025 DWS Group GmbH&Co. KGaA. All rights reserved

DITFF-TSRA-I

R-101129-2 (07/25)

(b) Not applicable
Item 2. Code of Ethics.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR that applies to its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.

There have been no amendments to, or waivers from, a provision of the code of ethics during the period covered by this report that would require disclosure under Item 2.

A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The fund's audit committee is comprised solely of trustees who are "independent" (as such term has been defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in regulations implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (the "Regulations")). The fund's Board of Trustees has determined that there are several "audit committee financial experts" (as such term has been defined by the Regulations) serving on the fund's audit committee including Ms. Catherine Schrand, the chair of the fund's audit committee. An "audit committee financial expert" is not an "expert" for any purpose, including for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 and the designation or identification of a person as an "audit committee financial expert" does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations and liability imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

DWS intermediate Tax Free Fund

form n-csr disclosure re: AUDIT FEES

The following table shows the amount of fees that Ernst & Young LLP ("EY"), the Fund's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, billed to the Fund during the Fund's last two fiscal years. The Audit Committee approved in advance all audit services and non-audit services that EY provided to the Fund.

Services that the Fund's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Billed to the Fund

Fiscal Year
Ended
May 31,
Audit Fees Billed to Fund Audit-Related
Fees Billed to Fund
Tax Fees Billed to Fund All
Other Fees Billed to Fund
2025 $40,311 $0 $7,629 $0
2024 $40,311 $0 $7,629 $0

The above "Tax Fees" were billed for professional services rendered for tax preparation.

Services that the Fund's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Billed to the Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers

The following table shows the amount of fees billed by EY to DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Adviser"), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with DIMA ("Control Affiliate") that provides ongoing services to the Fund ("Affiliated Fund Service Provider"), for engagements directly related to the Fund's operations and financial reporting, during the Fund's last two fiscal years.

Fiscal Year
Ended
May 31,
Audit-Related
Fees Billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers
Tax Fees Billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers All
Other Fees Billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers
2025 $0 $1,369,569 $0
2024 $0 $0 $0

The above "Tax Fees" were billed in connection with tax compliance services and agreed upon procedures.

Non-Audit Services

The following table shows the amount of fees that EY billed during the Fund's last two fiscal years for non-audit services. The Audit Committee pre-approved all non-audit services that EY provided to the Adviser and any Affiliated Fund Service Provider that related directly to the Fund's operations and financial reporting. The Audit Committee requested and received information from EY about any non-audit services that EY rendered during the Fund's last fiscal year to the Adviser and any Affiliated Fund Service Provider. The Committee considered this information in evaluating EY's independence.

Fiscal Year
Ended
May 31,
Total
Non-Audit Fees Billed to Fund
(A)
Total Non-Audit Fees billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers (engagements related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund)
(B)
Total Non-Audit Fees billed to Adviser and Affiliated Fund Service Providers (all other engagements)
(C)
Total of
(A), (B) and (C)
2025 $7,629 $1,369,569 $0 $1,377,198
2024 $7,629 $0 $0 $7,629

All other engagement fees were billed for services in connection with agreed upon procedures and tax compliance for DIMA and other related entities.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. Generally, each Fund's Audit Committee must pre approve (i) all services to be performed for a Fund by a Fund's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and (ii) all non-audit services to be performed by a Fund's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the DIMA Entities with respect to operations and financial reporting of the Fund, except that the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of each Fund's Audit Committee may grant the pre-approval for non-audit services described in items (i) and (ii) above for non-prohibited services for engagements of less than $100,000. All such delegated pre approvals shall be presented to each Fund's Audit Committee no later than the next Audit Committee meeting.

There were no amounts that were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

According to the registrant's principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, substantially all of the principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm's hours spent on auditing the registrant's financial statements were attributed to work performed by full-time permanent employees of the principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and (i) and (j) are not applicable.

***

In connection with the audit of the 2024 and 2025 financial statements, the Fund entered into an engagement letter with EY. The terms of the engagement letter required by EY, and agreed to by the Audit Committee, include a provision mandating the use of mediation and arbitration to resolve any controversy or claim between the parties arising out of or relating to the engagement letter or services provided thereunder.

***

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
Not applicable
Item 6. Investments.
Not applicable
Item 7. Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
(a)
May 31, 2025
Annual Financial Statements and Other Information
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Contents
3
Investment Portfolio
23
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
25
Statement of Operations
26
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
27
Financial Highlights
31
Notes to Financial Statements
41
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
43
Tax Information
44
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc., which offers investment products, or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C., which offer advisory services.
2
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Investment Portfolioas of May 31, 2025
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Municipal Investments 100.5%
Alabama 4.2%
Alabama, Black Belt Energy Gas District Gas
Project Revenue:
Series D-1, 4.0%, Mandatory Put 6/1/2027 @ 100,
7/1/2052, GTY: Royal Bank of Canada, LIQ: Royal Bank
of Canada
1,335,000
1,334,018
Series B-1, 4.0%, Mandatory Put 10/1/2027 @ 100,
4/1/2053, GTY: Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
2,615,000
2,608,529
Series D, 5.0%, Mandatory Put 11/1/2034 @ 100,
3/1/2055, GTY: BP PLC
3,000,000
3,146,037
Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue:
5.25%, 10/1/2040
3,000,000
3,161,430
5.25%, 10/1/2041
1,500,000
1,568,974
Southeast Alabama, Energy Authority A
Cooperative District:
Series B-1, 5.0%, Mandatory Put 8/1/2028 @ 100,
5/1/2053, GTY: Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
3,635,000
3,729,825
Series B, 5.0%, Mandatory Put 6/1/2030 @ 100,
1/1/2054, LIQ: Royal Bank of Canada
8,490,000
8,851,263
Series A-1, 5.5%, Mandatory Put 1/1/2031 @ 100,
11/1/2053, GTY: Morgan Stanley
6,000,000
6,409,251
30,809,327
Alaska 0.2%
Alaska, State General Obligation, Series A, 5.0%, 8/1/2029
1,300,000
1,404,018
Arizona 3.4%
Arizona, Chandler Industrial Development Authority, Intel
Corp., 3.8%, Mandatory Put 6/15/2028 @ 100,
12/1/2035
3,000,000
3,019,805
Arizona, Industrial Development Authority, Authority
Hospital Revenue Bond, Phoenix Childrens Hospital,
Series A, 5.0%, 2/1/2030
600,000
644,681
Arizona, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and
Power District, Electric System Revenue, Series A,
5.0%, 1/1/2042
2,640,000
2,806,692
Arizona, State Industrial Development Authority Revenue,
"A" , Series 2019-2, 3.625%, 5/20/2033
3,970,577
3,756,773
Arizona, State Industrial Development Authority, Education
Revenue, Odyssey Preparatory Academy Project, 144A,
4.375%, 7/1/2039
1,500,000
1,335,660
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
3
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Arizona, Yuma Industrial Development Authority Revenue,
Regional Medical Center Obligated Group:
Series A, 5.25%, 8/1/2042, INS: AGC
1,500,000
1,563,452
Series A, 5.25%, 8/1/2044, INS: AGC
3,000,000
3,090,473
Maricopa County, AZ, Industrial Development Authority,
Education Revenue, Legacy Traditional Schools Project:
4.0%, 7/1/2034
3,635,000
3,487,765
Series B, 144A, 5.0%, 7/1/2039
1,000,000
1,001,380
Maricopa County, AZ, Industrial Development Authority,
Hospital Revenue:
Series D, 5.0%, 12/1/2039
1,445,000
1,512,181
Series D, 5.0%, 12/1/2040
1,500,000
1,559,581
Series D, 5.0%, 12/1/2041
1,000,000
1,031,256
24,809,699
California 6.8%
Anaheim, CA, Housing & Public Improvements Authority,
Electric Utility Distribution System:
Series E, 5.0%, 10/1/2028
1,000,000
1,050,392
Series E, 5.0%, 10/1/2029
1,000,000
1,047,333
California, Antelope Valley Community College District,
General Obligation, 5.0%, 8/1/2044 (a)
1,675,000
1,694,175
California, Bay Area Toll Authority, Toll Bridge Revenue:
Series D, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index + 0.3%, 2.27%
(b), Mandatory Put 4/1/2027 @ 100, 4/1/2056
3,000,000
2,934,851
Series C, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index + 0.45%, 2.42%
(b), Mandatory Put 4/1/2026 @ 100, 4/1/2056
1,000,000
992,524
California, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,
Multi-Family Variable Rate Certificates, "A" ,
Series M-050, 144A, AMT, 3.05%, 6/15/2037
5,970,000
5,477,360
California, Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp.,
Tobacco Settlement, Series A-1, Prerefunded, 5.0%,
6/1/2032
5,000,000
5,308,142
California, Moreland School District, General Obligation:
Series B, 5.0%, 8/1/2039
1,000,000
1,108,374
Series B, 5.0%, 8/1/2040
1,025,000
1,128,197
California, South San Francisco Unified School District,
General Obligation:
5.0%, 9/1/2036 (a)
1,010,000
1,157,837
5.0%, 9/1/2037 (a)
1,100,000
1,248,176
California, State Housing Finance Agency, Multi-Family
Green Tax-Exempt Mortgage Backed Bonds, Noble
Towers Apartment, Series N, 2.35%, 12/1/2035
9,091,454
7,560,034
California, University of California Revenue, Series BS,
5.0%, 5/15/2041
2,000,000
2,139,649
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
4
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power Revenue:
Series A, 5.0%, 7/1/2041
2,750,000
2,836,681
Series A, 5.25%, 7/1/2044, INS: BAM
1,000,000
1,050,642
Los Angeles, CA, Department of Airports Revenue, Los
Angeles International Airport, Series H, AMT, 5.5%,
5/15/2037
4,985,000
5,337,475
San Francisco City & County, CA, Airports Commission,
International Airport Revenue, Series A, AMT, 5.0%,
5/1/2035
7,000,000
7,211,040
49,282,882
Colorado 3.4%
Colorado, Bridge & Tunnel Enterprise Revenue:
Series A, 5.0%, 12/1/2041, INS: AGMC
1,075,000
1,128,751
Series A, 5.0%, 12/1/2042, INS: AGMC
1,525,000
1,589,089
Series A, 5.25%, 12/1/2044, INS: AGC
1,000,000
1,048,574
Colorado, General Obligation, Vauxmont Metropolitan
District, 3.25%, 12/15/2050, INS: AGMC
1,292,000
962,420
Colorado, Health Facilities Authority Revenue,
AdventHealth Obligated Group, Series A, 5.0%,
Mandatory Put 11/15/2029 @ 100, 11/15/2059
1,000,000
1,068,074
Colorado, State Housing & Finance Authority Revenue:
"III", Series H, 4.25%, 11/1/2049
880,000
886,860
"III", Series L, 5.75%, 11/1/2053
4,375,000
4,643,650
Denver City & County, CO, Airport System Revenue:
Series A, AMT, 5.0%, 12/1/2035
10,000,000
10,186,094
Series D, AMT, 5.75%, 11/15/2037
1,375,000
1,508,237
Denver, CO, Convention Center Hotel Authority Revenue:
5.0%, 12/1/2027
500,000
507,669
5.0%, 12/1/2033
500,000
504,744
5.0%, 12/1/2034
1,000,000
1,007,913
25,042,075
Connecticut 1.4%
Connecticut, State General Obligation, Series B, 3.0%,
6/1/2037
1,075,000
929,798
Connecticut, State Health & Educational Facilities
Authority Revenue, Yale University, Series A, 2.8% (c),
6/2/2025
400,000
400,000
Connecticut, State Health & Educational Facilities
Authority Revenue, Yale-New Haven Health Obligated
Group, Series B, 5.0%, Mandatory Put 7/1/2029 @ 100,
7/1/2049
1,000,000
1,056,243
Connecticut, State Housing Finance Program
Authority Revenue:
Series A-1, 4.0%, 11/15/2047
585,000
585,313
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
5
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Series D, 6.25%, 5/15/2054
1,865,000
2,014,551
Connecticut, State Special Tax Obligation Revenue,
Transportation Infrastructure Purpose:
Series A, 5.0%, 7/1/2028
3,000,000
3,191,089
Series A, 5.0%, 7/1/2038
1,565,000
1,678,970
9,855,964
Florida 4.6%
Broward County, FL, Airport System Revenue, Series A,
AMT, 5.0%, 10/1/2037
2,365,000
2,403,321
Central Florida, Tourism Oversight District, Reedy Creek
Improvement District, Series A, 4.0%, 6/1/2032
1,500,000
1,512,821
Escambia County, FL, Housing Finance Authority Single
Family Mortgage Revenue, County Program, Series A,
4.75%, 4/1/2050
1,835,000
1,852,816
Florida, Capital Project Finance Authority, Student Housing
Revenue, Series A-1, 5.0%, 10/1/2029
1,650,000
1,724,025
Florida, Capital Trust Agency, Educational Growth Fund,
Charter Educational Foundation Project, Series A-1,
144A, 3.375%, 7/1/2031
1,765,000
1,673,692
Florida, Development Finance Corp., Educational Facilities
Revenue, Mater Academy Projects:
Series A, 144A, 5.0%, 11/15/2030
785,000
730,203
Series A, 5.0%, 6/15/2035
1,000,000
1,011,164
Florida, Development Finance Corp., AAF Operations
Holdings LLC, 144A, AMT, 12.0%, Mandatory Put
7/15/2028 @ 109, 7/15/2032
2,085,000
2,165,020
Florida, Development Finance Corp., Brightline Trains
Florida LLC, AMT, 5.0%, 7/1/2041
6,000,000
5,512,953
Florida, Development Finance Corp., Health
Sciences Center Inc. Obligated Group, Series A, 5.0%,
8/1/2041
1,000,000
1,018,201
Florida, Tohopekaliga Water Utility System Revenue, 4.0%,
10/1/2032
2,145,000
2,152,523
Florida, Village Community Development District No. 15,
Special Assessment Revenue:
144A, 4.2%, 5/1/2039
750,000
701,599
144A, 4.85%, 5/1/2038
990,000
996,041
Jacksonville, FL, Special Revenue, Series C, 5.25%,
10/1/2036
5,000,000
5,481,050
Lake County, FL, Educational Facilities Revenue, Imagine
South Lake Charter School Project, Series A, 144A,
5.0%, 1/15/2029
435,000
436,956
Miami-Dade County, FL, Seaport Revenue, Series A, AMT,
5.0%, 10/1/2040
2,250,000
2,273,003
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Miami-Dade County, FL, Water & Sewer System Revenue,
Series A, 5.0%, 10/1/2048
750,000
772,719
Village, FL, Community Development District No. 13,
Special Assessment Revenue, 3.0%, 5/1/2029
765,000
736,377
33,154,484
Georgia 5.8%
Atlanta, GA, Development Authority Tax Allocation,
Series A, 144A, 5.0%, 4/1/2034
1,000,000
995,422
Atlanta, GA, Water & Wastewater Revenue, Series B,
5.25%, 11/1/2027, INS: AGMC
10,000,000
10,321,783
Carroll City & County, GA, State Hospital Authority
Revenue, Tanner Medical Center Obligated Group, 5.0%,
7/1/2041
1,400,000
1,480,419
Cobb County, GA, Kennestone Hospital Authority, Wellstar
Health System, Inc. Project:
Series B, 4.0%, 4/1/2032
200,000
202,670
Series B, 4.0%, 4/1/2033
200,000
201,427
Series B, 4.0%, 4/1/2034
250,000
250,663
Series B, 4.0%, 4/1/2035
225,000
224,065
Series B, 4.0%, 4/1/2036
250,000
246,286
Georgia, Gainesville & Hall County Hospital Authority
Revenue, Northeast Georgia Health System Obligated
Group, 5.0%, 10/15/2030
1,375,000
1,491,649
Georgia, George L Smith II World Congress Center
Authority, Convention Center Hotel Second Tier
Revenue, Series B, 144A, 5.0%, 1/1/2036
1,250,000
1,251,468
Georgia, Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., Gas
Project Revenue:
Series C, 4.0%, Mandatory Put 12/1/2028 @ 100,
5/1/2052, GTY: Citigroup Global Markets
10,000,000
10,013,365
Series C, 5.0%, Mandatory Put 9/1/2030 @ 100,
9/1/2053, GTY: Royal Bank of Canada
1,155,000
1,207,221
Series D, 5.0%, Mandatory Put 4/1/2031 @ 100,
4/1/2054, GTY: TD Bank NA
2,000,000
2,093,229
Series A, 5.0%, Mandatory Put 6/1/2032 @ 100,
6/1/2055, GTY: TD Bank NA
1,500,000
1,578,287
Georgia, Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., Gas Supply
Revenue, Series A, 5.0%, 5/15/2035, GTY: Macquarie
Group Ltd.
3,135,000
3,287,640
Georgia, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
Revenue, Series A, 5.0%, 7/1/2043
2,665,000
2,826,567
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
7
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Georgia, Paulding County Hospital Authority Revenue,
WellStar Health System Obligated Group, Series A,
5.0%, 4/1/2043
2,065,000
2,100,175
Monroe County, GA, Development Authority, Pollution
Control Revenue, Georgia Power Co. Plant
Scherer Project, Series 1st, 2.25%, 7/1/2025
2,295,000
2,291,110
42,063,446
Hawaii 0.6%
Hawaii, State General Obligation, Series FK, 4.0%,
5/1/2032
4,400,000
4,447,360
Illinois 4.5%
Chicago, IL, Midway International Airport Revenue,
Series A, AMT, 5.75%, 1/1/2041, INS: BAM
1,000,000
1,079,388
Chicago, IL, O'Hare International Airport Revenue:
Series C, AMT, 5.0%, 1/1/2035
715,000
747,923
Series C, AMT, 5.0%, 1/1/2036
500,000
519,018
5.25%, 1/1/2039, INS: BAM
825,000
883,422
5.25%, 1/1/2040, INS: BAM
1,130,000
1,199,064
Chicago, IL, O'Hare International Airport Revenue, Senior
Lien, Series A, AMT, 5.0%, 1/1/2036
2,500,000
2,534,308
Dupage County, IL, School District No. 58 Downers Grove,
General Obligation, 5.5%, 12/15/2042
3,000,000
3,258,963
Illinois, Elmhurst Park District, General Obligation:
5.0%, 12/15/2043
1,000,000
1,041,276
5.0%, 12/15/2044
1,250,000
1,297,986
Illinois, Housing Development Authority Revenue,
Series K, 6.25%, 10/1/2053
4,635,000
5,088,349
Illinois, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater
Chicago, General Obligation, Series A, 5.0%, 12/1/2042
2,500,000
2,636,766
Illinois, State Development Authority Revenue, Madison
County Community Unit School District No. 2 Triad,
Series B, 5.5%, 4/1/2043, INS: BAM (a)
3,910,000
4,131,556
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, University of
Chicago, Series A, 5.25%, 4/1/2045
1,000,000
1,036,935
Illinois, State General Obligation:
Series B, 5.0%, 5/1/2028
1,000,000
1,042,781
Series B, 5.25%, 10/1/2037
2,000,000
2,123,979
Series C, 5.5%, 10/1/2039
2,000,000
2,131,613
Illinois, State O'Hare International Airport Revenue, TrIPs
Obligated Group, AMT, 5.5%, 7/1/2041 (a)
1,600,000
1,672,740
32,426,067
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Indiana 2.5%
Indiana, Finance Authority Revenue, Deaconess Health
System, Series B, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index + 0.3%,
2.27% (b), Mandatory Put 3/1/2027 @ 100, 3/1/2039
2,135,000
2,114,685
Indiana, Rockport Pollution Control Revenue, Michigan
Power Co. Project, Series A, ETM, 3.05%, 6/1/2025
3,700,000
3,700,000
Indiana, State Finance Authority Revenue, BHI Senior
Living Obligated Group, 5.0%, 11/15/2033
2,000,000
2,044,160
Indiana, State Finance Authority Revenue, Methodist
Hospitals, Inc. Obligated Group, Series A, 5.5%,
9/15/2039
1,070,000
1,113,886
Indiana, State Finance Authority, CWA
Authority Inc., Revenue:
Series A, 5.0%, 10/1/2040
1,000,000
1,064,655
Series A, 5.0%, 10/1/2041
1,000,000
1,052,365
Indiana, Westfield-Washington Multi-School Building Corp.
Revenue, Series A, 5.25%, 7/15/2041, INS: BAM
1,700,000
1,812,550
Indianapolis, IN, Local Public Improvement Bond Bank,
Airport Authority Project:
Series I2, AMT, 5.0%, 1/1/2030
1,500,000
1,577,590
Series G-2, AMT, 5.25%, 1/1/2037
1,700,000
1,787,443
Series E, 5.5%, 3/1/2038
2,000,000
2,110,356
18,377,690
Iowa 0.5%
Iowa, State Finance Authority Revenue, Lifespace
Communities, Inc. Obligated Group:
Series A, 5.0%, 5/15/2039
2,000,000
2,014,688
Series B, 6.6%, 5/15/2028
1,220,000
1,282,783
Iowa, State Student Loan Liquidity Corp., Senior Revenue,
Series B, AMT, 3.0%, 12/1/2039
125,000
117,410
Iowa, Tobacco Settlement Authority Revenue, "2" ,
Series B1, 4.0%, 6/1/2049
485,000
485,000
3,899,881
Kentucky 0.6%
Kentucky, State Municipal Energy Agency Revenue, 5.0%,
1/1/2042
4,245,000
4,397,686
Louisiana 0.9%
Louisiana, State Gasoline & Fuels Tax Revenue, Series A,
5.0%, 5/1/2040
5,000,000
5,339,777
New Orleans, LA, Aviation Board Special Facility Revenue,
Parking Facilities Corp., Consol Garage System,
Series A, 5.0%, 10/1/2035, INS: AGMC
1,250,000
1,290,718
6,630,495
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
9
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Massachusetts 1.0%
Massachusetts, State Development Finance Agency
Revenue, CareGroup Obligated Group:
Series J2, 5.0%, 7/1/2033
1,000,000
1,033,797
Series J2, 5.0%, 7/1/2034
2,000,000
2,059,653
Massachusetts, State Educational Financing Authority,
Series B, AMT, 3.0%, 7/1/2035
140,000
138,138
Massachusetts, State Port Authority, Series A, AMT, 5.0%,
7/1/2036
4,000,000
4,128,684
7,360,272
Michigan 2.8%
Michigan, State Finance Authority Revenue, Henry Ford
Health System, 5.0%, 11/15/2031
10,700,000
10,880,482
Michigan, State Strategic Fund Ltd., Obligation Revenue,
Improvement Project:
AMT, 5.0%, 6/30/2032
1,320,000
1,359,121
AMT, 5.0%, 12/31/2032
700,000
719,641
AMT, 5.0%, 12/31/2033
1,600,000
1,640,410
Michigan, Trunk Line Revenue, Rebuilding
Michigan Program:
Series A, 4.0%, 11/15/2038
2,500,000
2,393,430
5.5%, 11/15/2044
3,000,000
3,249,595
20,242,679
Minnesota 0.5%
Minnesota, State Office of Higher Education Revenue,
AMT, 2.65%, 11/1/2038
2,070,000
1,858,467
St. Cloud, MN, CentraCare Health System Obligated
Group Revenue, 5.0%, 5/1/2041
1,500,000
1,540,858
3,399,325
Mississippi 1.7%
Mississippi, State Gaming Tax Revenue:
Series E, 5.0%, 10/15/2028
4,755,000
4,780,378
Series A, 5.0%, 10/15/2036
4,000,000
4,090,798
Mississippi, State University Educational Building Corp.
Revenue, Institutions of Higher Learning:
Series B, 5.0%, 8/1/2042
1,465,000
1,545,033
Series B, 5.0%, 8/1/2043
1,540,000
1,618,045
12,034,254
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Missouri 1.0%
Missouri, Higher Education Loan Authority Revenue,
Taxable Student Loan Asset Back Notes, "A1A" ,
Series 2021-1, 1.53%, 1/25/2061
2,996,735
2,768,976
Missouri, Plaza At Noah's Ark Community Improvement
District, 3.0%, 5/1/2030
725,000
677,296
Missouri, State Housing Development Commission, Single
Family Mortgage Revenue, First Homeownership Loan
Program, Series C, 6.0%, 5/1/2053
3,150,000
3,423,876
6,870,148
Nebraska 0.0%
Douglas County, NE, State Hospital Authority No.
2 Revenue, Children's Hospital Obligated Group,
Series A, 3.0% (c), 6/2/2025, LOC: U.S. Bank NA
250,000
250,000
Nevada 0.4%
Nevada, Department of Business & Industry Revenue,
Brightline West Passenger Rail Project, Series 2025-A,
144A, AMT, 9.5%, Mandatory Put 1/1/2033 @ 100,
1/1/2065
2,500,000
2,385,636
Sparks, NV, Tourism Improvement District #1 Revenue,
Sales Tax, Series A, 144A, 2.75%, 6/15/2028
410,000
398,383
2,784,019
New Hampshire 1.0%
New Hampshire, Business Finance Authority Revenue:
"A", Series 2, 4.0%, 10/20/2036
2,893,367
2,723,316
Series 2022-1, 4.375%, 9/20/2036
3,847,051
3,732,465
New Hampshire, State Health and Education Facilities
Authority Act Revenue, Trustees of Dartmouth College,
Series A, 3.3%, Mandatory Put 8/3/2027 @ 100,
6/1/2040
815,000
816,904
7,272,685
New Jersey 2.6%
New Jersey, State Economic Development Authority,
Motor Vehicle Surcharge Revenue, Series A, 3.125%,
7/1/2029
915,000
880,174
New Jersey, State Higher Education Assistance Authority,
Student Loan Revenue:
Series B, AMT, 3.25%, 12/1/2039
440,000
410,759
Series B, AMT, 3.5%, 12/1/2039
1,075,000
1,022,649
Series B, AMT, 4.0%, 12/1/2041
3,910,000
3,823,141
New Jersey, State Transportation Trust Fund Authority,
Transportation Systems:
Series CC, 5.0%, 6/15/2038
2,000,000
2,097,725
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
11
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Series AA, 5.0%, 6/15/2040
1,000,000
1,043,410
New Jersey, State Turnpike Authority Revenue:
Series A, 4.0%, 1/1/2035
2,000,000
2,072,266
Series C, 5.0%, 1/1/2035 (a)
1,000,000
1,104,839
Series C, 5.0%, 1/1/2045
3,000,000
3,096,232
New Jersey, Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Series A,
5.0%, 6/1/2030
3,000,000
3,081,385
18,632,580
New Mexico 0.2%
New Mexico, State Mortgage Finance Authority, "I" ,
Series C, 4.0%, 1/1/2050
1,520,000
1,523,321
New York 10.0%
Broome County, NY, Local Development Corp., Revenue,
United Health Services Hospitals, Inc., Project:
3.0%, 4/1/2035, INS: AGMC
1,820,000
1,646,514
3.0%, 4/1/2036, INS: AGMC
1,750,000
1,548,586
Long Island, NY, Electric System Revenue, Power
Authority, Series B, 3.0%, Mandatory Put 9/1/2029 @
100, 9/1/2049
1,250,000
1,202,094
New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue:
Series B, 5.0%, 11/15/2028
3,170,000
3,354,119
Series C1, 5.0%, 11/15/2028
1,200,000
1,251,808
Series A2, 5.0%, Mandatory Put 5/15/2030 @ 100,
11/15/2045
5,335,000
5,559,146
New York, State Dormitory Authority, Personal Income Tax
Revenue, Series A, 5.0%, 3/15/2041
5,000,000
5,284,394
New York, State Liberty Development Corp. Revenue, A
World Trade Center Project, Series A, 1.9%, 11/15/2031
800,000
684,478
New York, State Liberty Development Corp., Second
Priority Liberty Revenue, "1" , 2.45%, 9/15/2069
5,000,000
4,614,723
New York, State Transportation Development Corp., Special
Facilities Revenue, Delta Air Lines, Inc., LaGuardia
Airport Terminal, AMT, 6.0%, 4/1/2035
2,400,000
2,606,985
New York, State Transportation Development Corp., Special
Facility Revenue, Delta Air Lines, Inc., LaGuardia Airport
Terminals C&D Redevelopment Project, AMT, 5.0%,
1/1/2026
3,970,000
3,987,210
New York, State Transportation Development Corp., Special
Facility Revenue, Terminal 4 John F. Kennedy
International Airport Project, AMT, 5.0%, 12/1/2030
5,000,000
5,274,811
New York, Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority Real Estate
Transfer Tax Revenue, Series A, 5.0%, 12/1/2043
750,000
781,026
New York, Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority Revenue,
MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series B, 5.0%, 5/15/2046
1,000,000
1,026,107
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
New York, Utility Debt Securitization Authority,
Restructuring Revenue, Series TE, 5.0%, 12/15/2038
7,000,000
7,604,771
New York City, NY, General Obligation:
Series G-1, 5.0%, 2/1/2042
1,500,000
1,573,972
Series D, 5.0%, 4/1/2043
1,000,000
1,037,998
New York City, NY, Housing Development Corp.,
Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Series A-2, 3.73%,
Mandatory Put 12/29/2028 @ 100, 5/1/2063
4,000,000
4,013,665
New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority,
Water & Sewer Systems Revenue:
Series AA-3, 3.0% (c), 6/2/2025, SPA: TD Bank NA
200,000
200,000
Series CC-SUBSERIES CC-2, 5.0%, 6/15/2046
1,250,000
1,290,340
New York City, NY, Transitional Finance Authority Revenue,
Future Tax Secured:
Series A4, 3.0% (c), 6/2/2025, SPA: JPMorgan Chase
Bank NA
100,000
100,000
Series F-1, 5.0%, 2/1/2042
1,500,000
1,565,357
Series H, 5.0%, 11/1/2043
1,000,000
1,041,746
Series D, 5.25%, 5/1/2043
5,000,000
5,319,131
Series G-1, 5.25%, 5/1/2048
2,750,000
2,868,946
New York, NY, General Obligation:
Series C, 4.0%, 8/1/2037
1,000,000
987,980
Series E1, 5.0%, 4/1/2039
1,250,000
1,324,990
Troy, NY, Capital Resource Corp. Revenue, Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute:
Series A, 5.0%, 9/1/2030
1,345,000
1,439,019
Series A, 5.0%, 9/1/2031
3,520,000
3,745,877
72,935,793
North Carolina 0.8%
County of Wake, NC, State Revenue:
Series A, 5.0%, 5/1/2043
2,300,000
2,428,085
Series A, 5.0%, 5/1/2044
1,400,000
1,470,272
North Carolina, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority,
Atrium Health Obligated Group, Series B, 2.95% (c),
6/2/2025, SPA: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
200,000
200,000
North Carolina, Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority
Revenue, AMT, 5.25%, 7/1/2042, INS: AGMC
1,150,000
1,187,971
North Carolina, State Education Assistance Authority
Revenue, Series A, AMT, 5.0%, 6/1/2043
465,000
468,253
5,754,581
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
13
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
North Dakota 0.7%
North Dakota, State Housing Finance Agency, Home
Mortgage Housing Finance Program, Series A, 6.0%,
7/1/2054
4,820,000
5,174,744
Ohio 3.1%
Cincinnati, OH, University of Cincinnati, Revenue:
Series D, 5.0%, 6/1/2039
1,070,000
1,138,317
Series D, 5.0%, 6/1/2040
1,120,000
1,182,944
Series D, 5.0%, 6/1/2041
1,180,000
1,237,254
City of Akron, OH, City of Akron, Income Tax Revenue:
4.0%, 12/1/2029
1,500,000
1,545,821
4.0%, 12/1/2030
1,210,000
1,245,616
4.0%, 12/1/2031
1,105,000
1,129,942
Hamilton County, OH, Sewer System Revenue, Series B,
5.0%, 12/1/2030
1,180,000
1,305,075
Ohio, Air Quality Development Authority Revenue, Duke
Enery Corp., Series A, AMT, 4.25%, Mandatory Put
6/1/2027 @ 100, 11/1/2039
1,000,000
1,007,825
Ohio, Akron, Bath & Copley Joint Township Hospital
District Revenue, Summa Health System, 4.0%,
11/15/2035
1,665,000
1,618,451
Ohio, Hospital Facility Revenue, Cleveland Clinic Health
System Obligated Group, Series B, 5.0%, 1/1/2029
1,715,000
1,830,181
Ohio, State General Obligation, Series A, 5.0%, 6/15/2043
5,000,000
5,293,844
Ohio, State Hospital Revenue, Aultman Health Foundation,
144A, 5.0%, 12/1/2028
4,100,000
4,119,649
22,654,919
Oklahoma 0.4%
Oklahoma, State Municipal Airport Trust Trustees Revenue,
American Airlines, Inc., AMT, 6.25%, 12/1/2035
1,000,000
1,094,192
Oklahoma, State Turnpike Authority Revenue, Series B,
5.0%, 1/1/2042 (a)
1,500,000
1,560,550
2,654,742
Oregon 0.7%
Oregon, State Housing & Community Services
Department, Mortgage Revenue, Series A, 4.5%,
1/1/2049
1,420,000
1,423,396
Oregon, State Lottery Revenue:
Series A, 5.25%, 4/1/2042
1,000,000
1,083,585
Series A, 5.25%, 4/1/2043
2,500,000
2,694,125
5,201,106
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Pennsylvania 7.2%
Allegheny County, PA, Hospital Development Authority,
Allegheny Health Network Obligated Group, Series A,
5.0%, 4/1/2034
5,000,000
5,139,275
Lancaster County, PA, Hospital Authority, Brethren Village
Project, 5.125%, 7/1/2037
1,000,000
976,270
Montgomery County, PA, Higher Education & Health
Authority, State Presbyterian Homes, Inc. Project:
5.0%, 12/1/2027
1,720,000
1,740,041
5.0%, 12/1/2032
2,745,000
2,785,831
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development
Authority, Meadowood Senior Living Project, Series A,
5.0%, 12/1/2033
8,435,000
8,577,671
Pennsylvania, Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority,
Sewer System Revenue:
Series A, 5.0%, 12/1/2038, INS: AGMC
1,025,000
1,098,873
Series A, 5.0%, 12/1/2040, INS: AGMC
1,625,000
1,727,288
Pennsylvania, Higher Education Assistance Agency
Education Loan Revenue:
Series A, AMT, 2.45%, 6/1/2041
2,175,000
1,902,307
Series A, 2.625%, 6/1/2042
410,000
363,687
Pennsylvania, State Certificates of Participation:
Series A, 5.0%, 7/1/2029
300,000
313,199
Series A, 5.0%, 7/1/2031
850,000
882,941
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing
Authority Revenue, UPMC Obligated Group, Series A-2,
5.0%, 5/15/2039
1,200,000
1,238,243
Pennsylvania, State Economic Development Financing
Authority Tax-Exempt Private Activity Revenue, Major
Bridges Package One Project:
AMT, 5.5%, 6/30/2037
2,400,000
2,547,313
AMT, 5.5%, 6/30/2038
3,000,000
3,153,132
AMT, 5.5%, 6/30/2039
4,000,000
4,173,140
Pennsylvania, State Housing Finance Agency, Single
Family Mortgage Revenue:
Series 119, AMT, 3.5%, 10/1/2041
200,000
199,610
Series 122, AMT, 4.0%, 10/1/2046
1,820,000
1,819,712
Series 143A, 6.25%, 10/1/2053
1,925,000
2,076,365
Pennsylvania, State Turnpike Commission Revenue:
Series FIRST, 5.0%, 12/1/2039
860,000
906,953
Series FIRST, 5.0%, 12/1/2040
855,000
895,777
Series FIRST, 5.0%, 12/1/2041
855,000
889,718
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
15
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Philadelphia, PA, School District:
Series F, 5.0%, 9/1/2030
8,970,000
9,134,233
Series F, Prerefunded, 5.0%, 9/1/2030
30,000
30,781
52,572,360
Rhode Island 0.4%
Rhode Island, Health and Educational Building Corp.
Revenue, Providence College, 5.0%, 11/1/2041
1,500,000
1,553,702
Rhode Island, Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp.,
Series B, 4.5%, 6/1/2045
1,460,000
1,459,916
3,013,618
South Carolina 0.8%
South Carolina, Public Service Authority Revenue,
Series A, 5.0%, 12/1/2044
1,300,000
1,316,308
South Carolina, State Housing Finance & Development
Authority, Mortgage Revenue, Series A, 4.0%, 1/1/2050
175,000
175,561
South Carolina, State Jobs-Economic Development
Authority Revenue, Bon Secours Mercy Health, Inc.,
Series A, 5.25%, 11/1/2043
1,000,000
1,036,205
South Carolina, State Jobs-Economic Development
Authority Revenue, Novant Health Obligated Group,
Series A, 5.5%, 11/1/2046
3,000,000
3,142,896
5,670,970
Tennessee 0.9%
Greeneville, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board,
Hospital Revenue, Ballad Health Obligation Group,
Series A, 5.0%, 7/1/2035
2,500,000
2,556,049
Memphis & Shelby County, TN, New Memphis Arena
Public Building Authority, City of Memphis Project:
0%-4.0% 4/1/2029 (d)
1,100,000
1,052,468
0%-4.0% 4/1/2030 (d)
750,000
713,338
Metropolitan Nashville, TN, Airport Authority Revenue,
Series B, AMT, 5.5%, 7/1/2038
1,625,000
1,737,633
Nashville & Davidson County, TN, Metropolitan
Government Health & Education Facilities Board
Revenue, Belmont University, 5.0%, 5/1/2039
500,000
516,669
6,576,157
Texas 14.9%
Austin, TX, Independent School District, General
Obligation, 5.0%, 8/1/2042
2,000,000
2,083,597
Austin, TX, Water & Wastewater System Revenue:
5.0%, 11/15/2038
3,500,000
3,748,998
5.0%, 11/15/2049
1,000,000
1,025,331
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Central Texas, Regional Mobility Authority Revenue, Senior
Lien, Series E, 4.0%, 1/1/2037
1,500,000
1,479,125
City of Corpus Christi, TX, Utility System Revenue, 5.0%,
7/15/2049
1,665,000
1,705,933
Conroe, TX, Independent School District, General
Obligation, 5.0%, 2/15/2043
2,500,000
2,604,894
Dallas, TX, Fort Worth International Airport:
Series B, 5.0%, 11/1/2037
1,200,000
1,287,088
Series B, 5.0%, 11/1/2040
3,500,000
3,702,668
Dallas, TX, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Project, Senior Lien, Special Tax, 144A, 6.0%,
Mandatory Put 8/15/2028 @ 100, 8/15/2053
3,015,000
3,019,029
El Paso, TX, Water & Sewer Revenue Revenue, 5.0%,
3/1/2044
2,000,000
2,074,414
Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance
Corp. Revenue, Memorial Hermann Health System
Obligated Group, Series C, 5.0%, Mandatory Put
7/1/2029 @ 100, 7/1/2054
2,000,000
2,121,745
Harris County, TX, Industrial Development Corp. Revenue,
Energy Transfer LP, 4.05%, Mandatory Put 6/1/2033 @
100, 11/1/2050
1,275,000
1,247,720
Harris County, TX, Toll Road Revenue, Series A, 5.25%,
8/15/2049
2,400,000
2,509,349
Houston, TX, Airport System Revenue, Series A, AMT,
4.0%, 7/1/2038
2,000,000
1,892,138
Houston, TX, Airport System Revenue, United Airlines,
Inc., Series B, AMT, 5.5%, 7/15/2039
2,815,000
2,883,748
Houston, TX, Hotel Occupancy Tax And Special Revenue,
Convention And Entertainment Facilities Department:
5.0%, 9/1/2027
1,590,000
1,660,495
5.0%, 9/1/2028
1,350,000
1,433,919
Lower Colorado, TX, State Transmission Contract Authority
Revenue, LCRA Transmission Services Corp., Project,
5.0%, 5/15/2041, INS: AGMC
5,000,000
5,178,708
North Texas, Tollway Authority Revenue, Series A, 5.25%,
1/1/2038
2,500,000
2,684,560
Prosper, TX, Independent School District, General
Obligation, 5.0%, 2/15/2041
4,000,000
4,233,562
Texas, Aldine Independent School District:
4.0%, 2/15/2032
3,000,000
3,017,125
5.0%, 2/15/2044
2,750,000
2,859,774
Texas, Arlington Independent School District, General
Obligation, 5.0%, 2/15/2042
4,000,000
4,229,917
Texas, Birdville Independent School District, General
Obligation, 5.0%, 2/15/2031
2,000,000
2,201,488
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
17
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Texas, Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District,
General Obligation, 5.0%, 8/15/2043
1,500,000
1,583,270
Texas, Lamar Consolidated Independent School District:
5.0%, 2/15/2041
2,530,000
2,646,363
5.0%, 2/15/2042
3,045,000
3,166,948
5.0%, 2/15/2043
2,625,000
2,719,284
Texas, Municipal Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp. V
Revenue, 5.0%, Mandatory Put 1/1/2034 @ 100,
1/1/2055, GTY: Bank of America Corp.
4,500,000
4,740,144
Texas, New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance
Corp., Education Revenue, Cumberland Academy
Project, Series A, 144A, 5.0%, 8/15/2040
6,000,000
5,350,111
Texas, Private Activity Bond, Surface Transportation Corp.
Revenue, Senior Lien, North Mobility Partners
Segments 3 LLC, AMT, 5.5%, 6/30/2040
1,000,000
1,026,612
Texas, San Antonio Water System Revenue:
Series B, 5.0%, 5/15/2042
2,000,000
2,094,698
Series B, 5.0%, 5/15/2043
2,200,000
2,291,881
Texas, State Department of Housing & Community Affairs,
2.17%, 5/1/2038
5,615,703
4,172,829
Texas, State Tech University System Revenue, Series A,
5.0%, 2/15/2045
1,200,000
1,246,228
Texas, State Transportation Commission, Turnpike Systems
Revenue, Series B, 5.0%, Mandatory Put 8/15/2030 @
100, 8/15/2042
1,500,000
1,578,982
Texas, State Water Development Board, Series A, 4.0%,
10/15/2032
5,000,000
5,050,348
Texas, Tollway Authority Revenue, Series A, 5.0%,
1/1/2041
2,500,000
2,620,428
Texas, Transmission Contract Authority Revenue, LCRA
Transmission Services Corp. Project:
Series A, 5.0%, 5/15/2042, INS: AGC
2,770,000
2,872,623
5.0%, 5/15/2043, INS: AGMC
3,790,000
3,901,751
107,947,825
Utah 1.2%
Salt Lake City, UT, Airport Revenue, Series A, AMT, 5.0%,
7/1/2035
5,000,000
5,089,083
Utah, Mida Mountain Village Public Infrastructure District,
Tax Allocation, Series 1, 144A, 5.125%, 6/15/2054
3,000,000
2,791,526
Utah, State Housing Corp. Revenue, Series A, 6.5%,
1/1/2054
805,000
874,311
Utah, State Telecommunication Open Infrastructure
Agency Sales Tax and Telecommunications Revenue,
5.25%, 6/1/2037
250,000
271,757
9,026,677
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Vermont 0.2%
Vermont, State Educational & Health Buildings Financing
Agency Revenue, St. Michael's College, 144A, 5.0%,
10/1/2033
1,500,000
1,428,339
Virginia 2.0%
Hampton Roads, VA, Transportation Accountability
Commission Revenue, Senior Lien Revenue, Series A,
4.0%, 7/1/2038
4,370,000
4,321,397
Norfolk, VA, Water Revenue, Series 2025, 5.0%,
11/1/2038 (a)
1,030,000
1,113,413
Virginia, Small Business Financing Authority:
AMT, 4.0%, 1/1/2030
1,500,000
1,499,375
AMT, 4.0%, 7/1/2030
1,000,000
995,441
Virginia, State College Building Authority, Educational
Facilities Revenue, 21st Century College, Series B,
4.0%, 2/1/2029
5,005,000
5,025,934
Virginia, State Small Business Financing Authority
Revenue, Mary Washington Healthcare Obligated
Group, Series A, 5.0%, 6/15/2043
1,300,000
1,318,829
14,274,389
Washington 4.5%
Pierce County, WA, Pierce County School District No.
403 Bethel, General Obligation, 5.0%, 12/1/2043
1,725,000
1,811,215
Port of Seattle, WA, Revenue Bonds, Series B, AMT, 5.0%,
8/1/2038
5,000,000
5,145,290
Seattle, WA, Seattle Municipal Light & Power Revenue,
Series B, SIFMA Municipal Swap Index + 0.25%, 2.22%
(b), Mandatory Put 11/1/2026 @ 100, 5/1/2045
895,000
884,786
Washington, Central Puget Sound Regional Transit
Authority Sales & Use Taxes Revenue, Motor Vehicle
Excise Tax Improvement, Green Bond, Series 2015-S-2A,
SIFMA Municipal Swap Index + 0.2%, 2.17% (b),
Mandatory Put 11/1/2026 @ 100, 11/1/2045
5,385,000
5,351,071
Washington, State Convention Center Public
Facilities District:
Series B, 3.0%, 7/1/2036
5,185,000
4,555,726
4.0%, 7/1/2031
3,000,000
3,020,546
Washington, State General Obligation, Series C, 5.0%,
2/1/2046
3,000,000
3,104,434
Washington, State Health Care Facilities Authority
Revenue, Virginia Mason Medical Center, 5.0%,
8/15/2029
2,300,000
2,340,335
Washington, State Housing Finance Commission, Horizon
House Project:
144A, 5.0%, 1/1/2028
750,000
750,282
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
19
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
144A, 5.0%, 1/1/2029
840,000
840,329
144A, 5.0%, 1/1/2031
1,030,000
1,022,457
144A, 5.0%, 1/1/2033
1,050,000
1,031,560
Washington, State University Revenue, 5.0%, 4/1/2039
2,695,000
2,906,255
32,764,286
West Virginia 0.3%
West Virginia, State Hospital Finance Authority Revenue,
State University Health System Obligated Group,
Series A, 5.0%, 6/1/2032
2,400,000
2,455,689
Wisconsin 0.2%
Wisconsin, State University of Wisconsin Hospitals &
Clinics Revenue, Series B, 5.0%, Mandatory Put
10/1/2031 @ 100, 4/1/2054
1,500,000
1,623,100
Puerto Rico 0.7%
Puerto Rico, General Obligation:
Series A1, 4.0%, 7/1/2033
1,000,000
962,116
Series A1, 5.75%, 7/1/2031
1,910,000
2,044,918
Puerto Rico, Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Revenue,
Series A-1, Zero Coupon, 7/1/2031
3,000,000
2,331,119
5,338,153
Other 0.9%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Multi-Family Variable
Rate Certificates, "A" , Series M-051, 144A,
2.65%, 6/15/2035
7,405,000
6,150,970
Freddie Mac Multi-Family ML Certificates, "A-CA" ,
Series 2019-ML05, 3.35%, 11/25/2033, GTY:
Freddie Mac
559,225
523,656
6,674,626
Total Municipal Investments(Cost $751,082,218)
730,712,431
Shares
Value ($)
Open-End Investment Companies 0.0%
BlackRock Liquidity Funds MuniCash Portfolio, Institutional
Shares, 2.07% (e) (Cost $20,782)
20,780
20,782
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
20
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
% of Net
Assets
Value ($)
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $751,103,000)
100.5
730,733,213
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
(0.5
)
(3,584,135
)
Net Assets
100.0
727,149,078
(a)
When-issued security.
(b)
Variable or floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of
May 31, 2025. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the
reference rate and spread are indicated within the description above. Certain variable
rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but adjust
periodically based on current market conditions, prepayment of underlying positions
and/or other variables. Securities with a floor or ceiling feature are disclosed at the
inherent rate, where applicable.
(c)
Variable rate demand notes are securities whose interest rates are reset periodically
(usually daily mode or weekly mode) by remarketing agents based on current market
levels, and are not directly set as a fixed spread to a reference rate. These securities
may be redeemed at par by the holder through a put or tender feature, and are shown
at their current rates as of May 31, 2025. Date shown reflects the earlier of demand
date or stated maturity date.
(d)
Security is a "step-up" bond where the coupon increases or steps-up at a
predetermined date. The range of rates shown is the current coupon rate through the
final coupon rate, date shown is the final maturity date.
(e)
Current yield; not a coupon rate.
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.
These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to
qualified institutional buyers.
AGC: Assured Guaranty Corp.
AGMC: Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.
AMT: Subject to alternative minimum tax.
BAM: Build America Mutual
ETM: Bonds bearing the description ETM (escrow to maturity) are collateralized usually by
U.S. Treasury securities which are held in escrow and used to pay principal and interest on
bonds so designated.
GTY: Guaranty Agreement
INS: Insured
LIQ: Liquidity Facility
LOC: Letter of Credit
Prerefunded: Bonds which are prerefunded are collateralized usually by U.S. Treasury
securities which are held in escrow and used to pay principal and interest on tax-exempt
issues and to retire the bonds in full at the earliest refunding date.
SIFMA: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
SPA: Standby Bond Purchase Agreement
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
21
Fair Value Measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of May 31, 2025 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Municipal Investments (a)
$-
$730,712,431
$-
$730,712,431
Open-End Investment Companies
20,782
-
-
20,782
Total
$20,782
$730,712,431
$-
$730,733,213
(a)
See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
22
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of May 31, 2025
Assets
Investment in securities, at value (cost $751,103,000)
$730,733,213
Receivable for investments sold
1,980,325
Receivable for Fund shares sold
627,296
Interest receivable
8,966,974
Other assets
50,465
Total assets
742,358,273
Liabilities
Payable for investments purchased -when-issued securities
13,856,478
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
547,747
Distributions payable
320,601
Accrued management fee
155,269
Accrued Trustees' fees
6,905
Other accrued expenses and payables
322,195
Total liabilities
15,209,195
Net assets, at value
$727,149,078
Net Assets Consist of
Distributable earnings (loss)
(38,020,211
)
Paid-in capital
765,169,289
Net assets, at value
$727,149,078
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
23
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of May 31, 2025 (continued)
Net Asset Value
Class A
Net Asset Valueand redemption price per share
($94,800,839 ÷ 8,819,287 outstanding shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
$10.75
Maximum offering price per share (100 ÷ 97.25 of $10.75)
$11.05
Class C
Net Asset Value,offering and redemption price
(subject to contingent deferred sales charge) per share
($2,355,901 ÷ 219,212 outstanding shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
$10.75
Class S
Net Asset Value,offering and redemption price per share
($145,247,690 ÷ 13,510,726 outstanding shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
$10.75
Institutional Class
Net Asset Value,offering and redemption price per share
($484,744,648 ÷ 45,098,223 outstanding shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
$10.75
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
24
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Statement of Operations
for the year ended May 31, 2025
Investment Income
Income:
Interest
$27,960,252
Expenses:
Management fee
2,380,071
Administration fee
732,911
Services to shareholders
833,736
Distribution and service fees
264,831
Custodian fee
8,726
Professional fees
65,888
Reports to shareholders
47,105
Registration fees
104,200
Trustees' fees and expenses
25,756
Other
71,520
Total expenses before expense reductions
4,534,744
Expense reductions
(490,397
)
Total expenses after expense reductions
4,044,347
Net investment income
23,915,905
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments
(3,495,581
)
Payments by affiliates (see Note H)
20
(3,495,561
)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
(2,033,580
)
Net gain (loss)
(5,529,141
)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$18,386,764
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
25
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years Ended May 31,
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
2025
2024
Operations:
Net investment income
$23,915,905
$23,206,704
Net realized gain (loss)
(3,495,561
)
(4,557,773
)
Change in net unrealized appreciation
(depreciation)
(2,033,580
)
6,144,269
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from operations
18,386,764
24,793,200
Distributions to shareholders:
Class A
(2,871,942
)
(2,882,807
)
Class C
(54,370
)
(53,830
)
Class S
(5,560,587
)
(7,468,252
)
Institutional Class
(15,343,607
)
(12,666,651
)
Total distributions
(23,830,506
)
(23,071,540
)
Fund share transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold
261,197,702
232,766,102
Reinvestment of distributions
17,802,335
17,885,859
Payments for shares redeemed
(280,515,652
)
(280,129,585
)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund
share transactions
(1,515,615
)
(29,477,624
)
Increase (decrease) in net assets
(6,959,357
)
(27,755,964
)
Net assets at beginning of period
734,108,435
761,864,399
Net assets at end of period
$727,149,078
$734,108,435
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
26
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Financial Highlights
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund -Class A
Years Ended May 31,
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$10.82
$10.79
$11.00
$12.02
$11.80
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
.32
.30
.27
.22
.28
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.07
)
.03
(.21
)
(.98
)
.29
Total from investment operations
.25
.33
.06
(.76
)
.57
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.32
)
(.30
)
(.27
)
(.22
)
(.28
)
Net realized gains
-
-
-
(.04
)
(.07
)
Total distributions
(.32
)
(.30
)
(.27
)
(.26
)
(.35
)
Net asset value, end of period
$10.75
$10.82
$10.79
$11.00
$12.02
Total Return (%)a,b
2.32
3.14
.57
(6.42
)
4.81
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
95
99
107
123
155
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.80
.79
.78
.78
.78
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.74
.74
.74
.73
.72
Ratio of net investment income (%)
2.96
2.83
2.50
1.92
2.33
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
48
47
47
47
38
a
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
27
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund -Class C
Years Ended May 31,
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$10.81
$10.79
$11.00
$12.02
$11.80
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
.24
.22
.19
.14
.19
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.06
)
.02
(.21
)
(.98
)
.29
Total from investment operations
.18
.24
(.02
)
(.84
)
.48
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.24
)
(.22
)
(.19
)
(.14
)
(.19
)
Net realized gains
-
-
-
(.04
)
(.07
)
Total distributions
(.24
)
(.22
)
(.19
)
(.18
)
(.26
)
Net asset value, end of period
$10.75
$10.81
$10.79
$11.00
$12.02
Total Return (%)a,b
1.65
2.27
(.18
)
(7.12
)
4.03
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
2
3
2
4
7
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
1.58
1.57
1.56
1.53
1.53
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
1.49
1.49
1.49
1.48
1.48
Ratio of net investment income (%)
2.21
2.09
1.72
1.17
1.60
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
48
47
47
47
38
a
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund -Class S
Years Ended May 31,
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$10.82
$10.80
$11.00
$12.03
$11.80
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
.35
.33
.30
.25
.31
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.07
)
.02
(.20
)
(.99
)
.30
Total from investment operations
.28
.35
.10
(.74
)
.61
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.35
)
(.33
)
(.30
)
(.25
)
(.31
)
Net realized gains
-
-
-
(.04
)
(.07
)
Total distributions
(.35
)
(.33
)
(.30
)
(.29
)
(.38
)
Net asset value, end of period
$10.75
$10.82
$10.80
$11.00
$12.03
Total Return (%)a
2.54
3.30
.92
(6.26
)
5.16
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
145
218
248
320
362
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.61
.63
.63
.64
.61
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.52
.49
.49
.48
.48
Ratio of net investment income (%)
3.17
3.08
2.74
2.17
2.58
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
48
47
47
47
38
a
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
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29
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund -Institutional Class
Years Ended May 31,
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$10.81
$10.79
$11.00
$12.02
$11.80
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
.35
.33
.30
.25
.31
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.06
)
.02
(.21
)
(.98
)
.29
Total from investment operations
.29
.35
.09
(.73
)
.60
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.35
)
(.33
)
(.30
)
(.25
)
(.31
)
Net realized gains
-
-
-
(.04
)
(.07
)
Total distributions
(.35
)
(.33
)
(.30
)
(.29
)
(.38
)
Net asset value, end of period
$10.75
$10.81
$10.79
$11.00
$12.02
Total Return (%)a
2.67
3.30
.82
(6.18
)
5.07
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
485
415
404
440
453
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.55
.55
.55
.55
.54
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.49
.49
.49
.48
.47
Ratio of net investment income (%)
3.21
3.08
2.75
2.17
2.57
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
48
47
47
47
38
a
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
A.
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (the "Fund" ) is a diversified series of Deutsche DWS Tax Free Trust (the "Trust" ), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act" ), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
The Fund offers multiple classes of shares which provide investors with different purchase options. Class A shares are subject to an initial sales charge. Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to higher ongoing expenses than Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions within one year of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares in the same fund after 8 years, provided that the Fund or the financial intermediary through which the shareholder purchased the Class C shares has records verifying that the Class C shares have been held for at least 8 years. Class S shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are available through certain intermediary relationships with financial services firms, or can be purchased by establishing an account directly with the Fund's transfer agent. Institutional Class shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are generally available only to qualified institutions.
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP" ) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Subsequent events, if any, through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Operating Segment.In this reporting period, the Fund adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("ASU 2023-07" ).
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31
Adoption of the new standard impacted financial statement disclosures only and did not affect the Fund's financial position or the results of its operations. An operating segment is defined in Topic 280 as a component of a public entity that engages in business activities from which it may recognize revenues and incur expenses, has operating results that are regularly reviewed by the public entity's chief operating decision maker (CODM) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and has discrete financial information available. The President and Chief Executive Officer, acts as the Fund's CODM. The Fund represents a single operating segment, as the CODM monitors the operating results of the Fund as a whole and the Fund's long-term strategic asset allocation is pre-determined in accordance with the terms of its prospectus, based on a defined investment strategy which is executed by the Fund's portfolio managers as a team. The financial information in the form of the Fund's portfolio composition, total returns, expense ratios and changes in net asset (i.e., changes in net assets resulting from operations, subscriptions and redemptions), which are used by the CODM to assess the segment's performance versus the Fund's comparative benchmarks and to make resource allocation decisions for the Fund's single segment, is consistent with that presented within the Fund's financial statements. Segment assets are reflected on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities as "total assets" and results of operations and significant segment expenses are listed on the accompanying Statement of Operations.
Security Valuation.Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
The Fund's Board has designated DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (the "Advisor" ) as the valuation designee for the Fund pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. The Advisor's Pricing Committee (the "Pricing Committee" ) typically values securities using readily available market quotations or prices supplied by independent pricing services (which are considered fair values under Rule 2a-5). The Advisor has adopted fair valuation procedures that provide methodologies for fair valuing securities.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
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|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Municipal debt securities are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services approved by the Pricing Committee, whose valuations are intended to reflect the mean between the bid and asked prices. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other data, as well as broker quotes. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2.
Debt securities are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services approved by the Pricing Committee. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, prepayment speeds and other data, as well as broker quotes. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, debt securities are valued at the average of the most recent reliable bid quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2.
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Pricing Committee and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
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33
When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery Securities.The Fund may purchase or sell securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the transaction is reflected in the net asset value. The price of such security and the date when the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations.
Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued, delayed-delivery transactions from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities.
Tax Information. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income to its shareholders.
At May 31, 2025, the Fund had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of $19,291,917, including short-term losses ($4,191,759) and long-term losses ($15,100,158), which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
The Fund files tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, the State of New York, and various other states. Each of the tax years in the four-year period ended May 31, 2025, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.
Distribution of Income and Gains.Net investment income of the Fund is declared as a daily dividend and distributed to shareholders monthly. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed, and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to premium amortization on debt securities and income related to restructuring of certain securities. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
34
|
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
At May 31, 2025, the Fund's components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a net tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed tax-exempt income
$1,272,085
Undistributed ordinary income*
$11,914
Capital loss carryforwards
$(19,291,917
)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
$(19,691,692
)
At May 31, 2025, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $750,424,905. The net unrealized depreciation for all investments based on tax cost was $19,691,692. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $4,583,469 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $24,275,161.
In addition, the tax character of distributions paid to shareholders by the Fund is summarized as follows:
Years Ended May 31,
2025
2024
Distributions from tax-exempt income
$23,787,136
$23,011,137
Distributions from ordinary income*
$43,370
$60,403
*
For tax purposes, short-term capital gain distributions are considered ordinary
income distributions.
Expenses.Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
Contingencies.In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. 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 yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Other.Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for financial reporting purposes.
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
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35
B.
Purchases and Sales of Securities
During the year ended May 31, 2025, purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $363,517,904 and $363,515,553, respectively.
C.
Related Parties
Management Agreement.Under the Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor" ), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA ("DWS Group" ), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
Under the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the average daily net assets of the Fund, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly at the annual rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.315%.
For the period from June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 (through September 30, 2024 for Class S shares), the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) of each class as follows:
Class A
.74%
Class C
1.49%
Class S
.49%
Institutional Class
.49%
Effective October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) of Class S shares at 0.54%.
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DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
For the year ended May 31, 2025, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
Class A
$51,366
Class C
2,222
Class S
147,502
Institutional Class
289,307
$490,397
Administration Fee.Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee ("Administration Fee" ) of 0.097% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the year ended May 31, 2025, the Administration Fee was $732,911, of which $60,276 is unpaid.
Service Provider Fees.DWS Service Company ("DSC" ), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and SS&C GIDS, Inc. ("SS&C" ), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to SS&C. DSC compensates SS&C out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the year ended May 31, 2025, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
Services to Shareholders
Total
Aggregated
Unpaid at
May 31, 2025
Class A
$2,324
$382
Class C
293
44
Class S
27,565
4,475
Institutional Class
1,308
219
$31,490
$5,120
In addition, for the year ended May 31, 2025, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by
DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
|
37
unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under "Services to shareholders," were as follows:
Sub-Recordkeeping
Total
Aggregated
Class A
$88,125
Class C
2,823
Class S
235,201
Institutional Class
461,544
$787,693
Distribution and Service Fees.Under the Fund's Class C 12b-1 Plan, DWS Distributors, Inc. ("DDI" ), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee ("Distribution Fee" ) of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares. In accordance with the Fund's Underwriting and Distribution Services Agreement, DDI enters into related selling group agreements with various firms at various rates for sales of Class C shares. For the year ended May 31, 2025, the Distribution Fee was as follows:
Distribution Fee
Total
Aggregated
Unpaid at
May 31, 2025
Class C
$18,583
$1,502
In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee ("Service Fee" ) to Class A and C shareholders at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets for each such class. DDI in turn has various agreements with financial services firms that provide these services and pays these fees based upon the assets of shareholder accounts the firms service. For the year ended May 31, 2025, the Service Fee was as follows:
Service Fee
Total
Aggregated
Unpaid at
May 31, 2025
Annual
Rate
Class A
$240,054
$39,834
.25%
Class C
6,194
398
.25%
$246,248
$40,232
Underwriting Agreement and Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.DDI is the principal underwriter for the Fund. Underwriting commissions paid in connection with the distribution of Class A shares for the year ended May 31, 2025 aggregated $1,462.
In addition, DDI receives any contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC" ) from Class C share redemptions occurring within one year of purchase. There is no such charge upon redemption of any share appreciation or reinvested dividends. The CDSC is 1% of the value of the shares redeemed for Class C. For the year ended May 31, 2025, there was no
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DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
CDSC for Class C Shares. A deferred sales charge of up to 1% is assessed on certain redemptions of Class A shares.
Other Service Fees.Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the year ended May 31, 2025, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders"  aggregated $1,400, of which $296 is unpaid.
Trustees' Fees and Expenses.The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
Transactions with Affiliates.The Fund may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is solely due to having a common investment adviser, common officers or common trustees. During the year ended May 31, 2025, the Fund engaged in securities purchases of $96,685,000 and securities sales of $123,060,000 with a net gain (loss) on securities sales of $0, with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.
D.
Line of Credit
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants" ) share in a $345 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of 0.10% plus the higher of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 1.25%. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at May 31, 2025.
E.
Fund Share Transactions
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
Year Ended
May 31, 2025
Year Ended
May 31, 2024
Shares
Dollars
Shares
Dollars
Shares sold
Class A
1,606,710
$17,599,722
1,356,060
$14,656,162
Class C
30,982
336,930
134,794
1,435,775
Class S
1,644,957
18,018,853
5,133,832
55,475,963
Institutional Class
20,522,036
225,242,197
14,878,083
161,198,202
$261,197,702
$232,766,102
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39
Year Ended
May 31, 2025
Year Ended
May 31, 2024
Shares
Dollars
Shares
Dollars
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
Class A
226,606
$2,479,012
229,984
$2,485,530
Class C
4,321
47,256
4,307
46,606
Class S
458,107
5,017,960
638,564
6,901,337
Institutional Class
938,483
10,258,107
781,930
8,452,386
$17,802,335
$17,885,859
Shares redeemed
Class A
(2,188,726
)
$(23,961,829
)
(2,340,025
)
$(25,283,116
)
Class C
(56,312
)
(616,788
)
(108,261
)
(1,172,049
)
Class S
(8,705,277
)
(95,808,467
)
(8,623,753
)
(93,812,143
)
Institutional Class
(14,710,483
)
(160,128,568
)
(14,786,173
)
(159,862,277
)
$(280,515,652
)
$(280,129,585
)
Net increase (decrease)
Class A
(355,410
)
$(3,883,095
)
(753,981
)
$(8,141,424
)
Class C
(21,009
)
(232,602
)
30,840
310,332
Class S
(6,602,213
)
(72,771,654
)
(2,851,357
)
(31,434,843
)
Institutional Class
6,750,036
75,371,736
873,840
9,788,311
$(1,515,615
)
$(29,477,624
)
F.
Payments by Affiliates
During the year ended May 31, 2025, the Advisor agreed to reimburse the Fund $20 for losses incurred on trades executed incorrectly. The amount reimbursed was less than 0.01% of the Fund's average net assets, thus having no impact on the Fund's total return.
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DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees of Deutsche DWS Tax Free Trust and Shareholders of DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (the "Fund" ) (one of the funds constituting Deutsche DWS Tax Free Trust (the "Trust" )), including the investment portfolio, as of May 31, 2025, and the related statement of operations 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 (one of the funds constituting Deutsche DWS Tax Free Trust) at May 31, 2025, the results of its operations 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 Trust'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 Trust 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 Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust'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 Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
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41
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 May 31, 2025, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers, and others; when replies were not received from brokers and others, we performed other auditing procedures. 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.
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the DWS family of funds since at least 1979, but we are unable to determine the specific year.
Boston, Massachusetts
July 23, 2025
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DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Tax Information (Unaudited)
Of the dividends paid from net investment income for the taxable year ended May 31, 2025, 100% are designated as exempt interest dividends for federal income tax purposes.
Please consult a tax advisor if you have questions about federal or state income tax laws, or on how to prepare your tax returns. If you have specific questions about your account, please call (800) 728-3337.
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Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the "Board" or "Trustees" ) approved the renewal of DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund's (the "Fund" ) investment management agreement (the "Agreement" ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. ("DIMA" ) in September 2024.
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
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During the entire process, all of the Fund's Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the "Independent Trustees" ).
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The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel, including materials containing information on the Fund's performance, fees and expenses, profitability, economies of scale and fall-out benefits.
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The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
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The Independent Trustees regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters.
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In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund's Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement, and certain other material service agreements.
In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA ("DWS Group" ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. DWS Group is majority-owned by Deutsche Bank AG, with approximately 20% of its shares publicly traded.
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund's performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.
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While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund's Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA's personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services.The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA's approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund's performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar" ), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Funds in Review" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA's plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2023, the Fund's performance (Class A shares) was in the 3rd quartile, 2nd quartile and 2nd quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has outperformed its benchmark in the one-year period and has underperformed its benchmark in the three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2023.
Fees and Expenses.The Board considered the Fund's investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. ("Broadridge" ) regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund's administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of
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December 31, 2023). The Board noted that the Fund's Class A shares total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees) were expected to be higher than the median (3rd quartile) of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2023, and analyzing Broadridge expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Broadridge Universe Expenses" ). The Board also reviewed data comparing each other operational share class's total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Broadridge Universe Expenses. The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA were expected to help the Fund's total (net) operating expenses remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund's management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds ("DWS Funds" ) and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors ("DWS Europe Funds" ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
Profitability.The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board reviewed DIMA's methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates' overall profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.
Economies of Scale.The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the
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Fund benefits from any economies of scale. In this regard, the Board observed that while the Fund's current investment management fee schedule does not include breakpoints, the Fund's fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates.The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or "fall-out" benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund's management fees were reasonable.
Compliance.The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA's and the Fund's chief compliance officers; (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel; and (iii) ongoing efforts to enhance the compliance program.
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above and individual Independent Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present.
DITFF-BFE2024
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DITFF-NCSRA
(b) The Financial Highlights are included with the Financial Statements under Item 7(a).
Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable
Item 9. Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable
Item 10. Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies.
See Item 7(a)
Item 11. Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract.
See Item 7(a)
Item 12. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable
Item 13. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable
Item 14. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable
Item 15. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund's Board. The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Keith R. Fox, DWS Funds Board Chair, c/o Thomas R. Hiller, Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600.
Item 16. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant's Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
(b) There have been no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.
Item 17. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable
Item 18. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.
Not applicable
Item 19. Exhibits
(a)(1) Code of Ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed and attached hereto as EX-99.CODE ETH.
(a)(2) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
(b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.

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: DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, a series of Deutsche DWS Tax Free Trust
By:

/s/Hepsen Uzcan

Hepsen Uzcan

Principal Executive Officer

Date: 7/30/2025

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:

/s/Hepsen Uzcan

Hepsen Uzcan

Principal Executive Officer

Date: 7/30/2025
By:

/s/Diane Kenneally

Diane Kenneally

Principal Financial Officer

Date: 7/30/2025
Deutsche DWS Tax Free Trust published this content on August 01, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Edgar on August 01, 2025 at 17:52 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]