N-CSR 1 a13-4084_1ncsr.htm 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

811-03031

 

Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York

 

10036

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Kevin Klingert

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

201-830-8894

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31, 2012

 

 

Date of reporting period:

December 31, 2012

 

 



 

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

 



Trustees

Frank L. Bowman
Michael Bozic
Kathleen A. Dennis
James F. Higgins
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Joseph J. Kearns
Michael F. Klein
Michael E. Nugent
W. Allen Reed
Fergus Reid

Officers

Michael E. Nugent
Chairperson of the Board

Kevin Klingert
President and Principal Executive Officer

Mary Ann Picciotto
Chief Compliance Officer

Stefanie V. Chang Yu
Vice President

Francis J. Smith
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

Mary E. Mullin
Secretary

Transfer Agent

Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
P.O. Box 219886
Kansas City, Missouri 64121

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Trustees

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Adviser

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. For more detailed information about the Fund, its fees and expenses and other pertinent information, please read its Prospectus. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund, including its trustees. It is available, without charge, by calling (800) 869-NEWS.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective Prospectus. Read the Prospectus carefully before investing.

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc., member FINRA.

© 2013 Morgan Stanley

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Annual Report

December 31, 2012

DSTANN
IU13-00378P-Y12/12



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Table of Contents

Welcome Shareholder    

3

   
Fund Report    

4

   
Expense Example    

7

   
Portfolio of Investments    

8

   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities    

17

   
Statement of Operations    

18

   
Statements of Changes in Net Assets    

19

   
Notes to Financial Statements    

20

   
Financial Highlights    

27

   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    

28

   
U.S. Privacy Policy    

29

   
Trustee and Officer Information    

34

   


2




Welcome Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide this annual report, in which you will learn how your investment in Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust performed during the latest twelve-month period. It includes an overview of the market conditions and discusses some of the factors that affected performance during the reporting period. In addition, the report contains financial statements and a list of portfolio holdings.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus for the fund being offered.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no assurance that a mutual fund will achieve its investment objective. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of an investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


3



Fund Report (unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2012

Market Conditions

Risk aversion and liquidity remained the theme among investors in 2012, given the amount of uncertainty around financial institutions and troubled European sovereigns. During the opening months of 2012, tax-exempt money market interest rates broke through the band in which they had traded through much of 2011 and fell to new record lows. Yields for weekly variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), as measured by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Index, dropped to an all-time historic low of 6 basis point in early January then bounced between 8 and 19 basis points until tax season. Growing concern around the European financial crisis coupled with heavy seasonal outflows pushed the SIFMA Index to a high of 26 basis points in mid-April. Although tax-free money funds continued to lose assets, extraordinary technical factors in the taxable money market continue to spur strong crossover demand that in turn placed downward pressure on tax-free yields.

State and local tax collections rose in the first half of the year as an expanding economy and tax increases passed during the recession eased city and state budget woes. U.S. local governments' property-tax collections increased 6.2 percent during the second quarter from the year before, the Census Bureau reported, easing the strain on cities from the housing market crash. The increase to $91.1 billion during the three months ending in June marks a shift from the year before, when collections dropped for the period.

The fiscal health of U.S. municipalities continued to improve in the second half of 2012, though risks

remain. The agreement passed by Congress in the final days of 2012 to keep federal income taxes from increasing on most U.S. workers in 2013 eased a threat to states and cities only recently emerging from the fiscal crisis brought on by the 18-month recession. An annual survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures found that half of all U.S. states have returned to peak tax-collection levels last seen before the recession five years ago, or will soon, and 57 percent of cities say they were "better able to meet financial needs" in 2012 than in 2011. It is the first time that most reported an improvement since before the 18-month recession began in 2007. Looking ahead, 12 states project their personal income-tax collections will exceed what they budgeted for the current fiscal year, while 15 states say they will come in on target, the survey said.

In all, states have closed about $593 billion in deficits over the past five years, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. This deficit reduction created a drag on the economy from late 2009 until the third quarter of 2012, when state and local government spending rose as revenue improved. The ongoing fiscal improvement of the states led to a fourth straight year of declines in defaults in the municipal market. If this pattern persists, municipal defaults could fall below 100 in 2013 for the first time since at least 2009, driven by a drop in failures among real-estate borrowings in Florida and California.

Not all signs are positive, however. Funding for U.S. state retirement plans fell for a fourth straight year as insufficient contributions and inadequate investment


4



gains overwhelmed cuts that more than 40 legislatures have made to benefits since 2007. The median funding ratio was 71.7 percent for the year through June 2011, down from 74.3 percent the prior period.

Performance Analysis

As of December 31, 2012, Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust had net assets of approximately $2.0 billion and an average portfolio maturity of 28 days. For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2012, the Fund provided a total return of 0.01 percent. For the seven-day period ended December 31, 2012, the Fund provided an effective annualized yield of 0.01 percent (subsidized) and –0.39 percent (non-subsidized) and a current yield of 0.01 percent (subsidized) and –0.39 percent (non-subsidized), while its 30-day moving average yield for December was 0.01 percent (subsidized) and –0.38 percent (non-subsidized). Yield quotations more closely reflect the current earnings of the Fund. The non-subsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been had a fee and/or expense waiver not been in place during the period shown. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

In light of continuing market disruptions and ongoing concerns in the broader global economy, it is clearly a time for careful diligence and diversification of investment portfolios. In the current uncertain market environment, our emphasis has been on maintaining high levels of liquidity and managing exposure to institutions under stress.

Recent economic data has shown some signs of improvement but many investors are likely to continue to

tread cautiously. Barring any unexpected shocks to the market, rates are likely to remain low into 2014, in our view. During this period of continuing uncertainty, we will maintain a watchful eye on state and local economies.

There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future.

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION as of 12/31/12

 

Weekly Variable Rate Bonds

   

72.6

%

 

Daily Variable Rate Bonds

   

8.6

   

Commercial Paper

   

7.2

   

Municipal Bonds & Notes

   

6.5

   

Put Option Bonds

   

3.0

   

Closed-End Investment Companies

   

2.1

   

MATURITY SCHEDULE as of 12/31/12

 
30 Days    

86.5

%

 
31 60 Days    

1.5

   
61 90 Days    

1.2

   
91 120 Days    

0.5

   
121 Days    

10.3

   

Subject to change daily. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned above. Portfolio composition and maturity schedule are as a percentage of total investments.

Morgan Stanley is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services.


5



Investment Strategy

The Fund will invest in high quality, short-term securities that are normally municipal obligations that pay interest exempt from federal income taxes. The Adviser seeks to maintain the Fund's share price at $1.00. The share price remaining stable at $1.00 means that the Fund would preserve the principal value of your investment.

An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

For More Information About Portfolio Holdings

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The semiannual reports and the annual reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the semiannual and annual reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public web site, www.morganstanley.com. Each Morgan Stanley fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q and monthly holdings for each money market fund on Form N-MFP. Morgan Stanley does not deliver these reports to shareholders, nor are the first and third fiscal quarter reports posted to the Morgan Stanley public web site. However, the holdings for each money market fund are posted to the Morgan Stanley public web site. You may obtain the

Form N-Q filings (as well as the Form N-CSR, N-CSRS and N-MFP filings) by accessing the SEC's web site, http://www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy them at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the SEC's public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the public reference section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-1520.

Householding Notice

To reduce printing and mailing costs, the Fund attempts to eliminate duplicate mailings to the same address. The Fund delivers a single copy of certain shareholder documents, including shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy materials, to investors with the same last name who reside at the same address. Your participation in this program will continue for an unlimited period of time unless you instruct us otherwise. You can request multiple copies of these documents by calling (800) 869-NEWS, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., ET. Once our Customer Service Center has received your instructions, we will begin sending individual copies for each account within 30 days.


6



Expense Example (unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including advisory fees; administration fees; shareholder services fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period 07/01/12 – 12/31/12.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Please note that "Expenses Paid During Period" are grossed up to reflect Fund expenses prior to the effect of Expense Offset (See Note 8 in the Notes to Financial Statements). Therefore, the annualized net expense ratios may differ from the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs, and will not help you determine the relative total cost of owning different funds that have transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or exchange fees.

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

07/01/12

 

12/31/12

  07/01/12 –
12/31/12
 

Actual (0.01% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,000.10

   

$

0.86

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,024.41

   

$

0.87

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 0.17% multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 185/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). If the fund had borne all of its expenses, the annualized expense ratio would have been 0.54%.


7




Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE (a)
  DEMAND
DATE (b)
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Weekly Variable Rate Bonds (72.5%)

 
       

Arizona Health Facilities Authority,

                         

$

1,000

    Banner Health Ser 2008 D ROCs II-R
Ser 11687 (c)
   

0.15

%

 

01/07/13

 

07/01/25

 

$

1,000,000

   
 

9,845

   

Banner Health Ser 2008 G

   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

01/01/29

   

9,845,000

   
 

35,000

    California Health Facilities Financing
Authority, Kaiser Permanente
Ser 2006 C
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

06/01/41

   

35,000,000

   
 

27,200

    California Statewide Communities
Development Authority, Kaiser
Permanente Ser 2002 E
   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/36

   

27,200,000

   
 

1,115

    Cape Girardeau County Industrial
Development Authority, MO,
St. Francis Medical Center Ser 2009 B
   

0.14

   

01/07/13

 

06/01/39

   

1,115,000

   
        Capital Beltway Funding Corporation of
Virginia,
                         
 

21,400

    Senior Lien Toll I-495 Hot Lanes
Ser 2008 C
   

0.10

   

01/07/13

 

12/31/47

   

21,400,000

   
 

14,000

    Senior Lien Toll I-495 Hot Lanes
Ser 2008 D
   

0.10

   

01/07/13

 

12/31/47

   

14,000,000

   
 

53,855

    Central Plains Energy Project, NE,
Gas Project No. 2 Ser 2009
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/39

   

53,855,000

   
 

31,990

    Charlotte, NC, Water & Sewer System
Ser 2006 B
   

0.14

   

01/07/13

 

07/01/36

   

31,990,000

   
       

Colorado Springs, CO,

                         
 

32,620

   

Utilities System Sub Lien Ser 2004 A

   

0.20

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/23

   

32,620,000

   
 

10,000

   

Utilities System Sub Lien Ser 2006 A

   

0.15

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/25

   

10,000,000

   
 

29,100

   

Utilities System Sub Lien Ser 2007 A

   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/37

   

29,100,000

   
 

20,000

   

Utilities System Sub Lien Ser 2007 B

   

0.14

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/26

   

20,000,000

   
 

4,500

    Dallas Area Rapid Transit, TX, Sales Tax
Ser 2008 ROCs II-R Ser 11541 (c)
   

0.15

   

01/07/13

 

06/01/16

   

4,500,000

   
 

4,130

    Derry Township Industrial & Commercial
Development Authority, PA,
Hotel Tax Arena Ser 2000 A
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/30

   

4,130,000

   
 

10,000

    Deutsche Bank SPEARS, FL, Broward
County Airport System Ser 2012 Q-1
SPEARS Ser DBE-1128X (c)
   

0.18

   

01/07/13

 

10/01/33

   

10,000,000

   
 

2,500

    Deutsche Bank SPEARS, NY,
New York City Municipal Water Finance
Authority Ser 2012 FF SPEARS
Ser DBE-1090X (c)
   

0.15

   

01/07/13

 

06/15/45

   

2,500,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
8



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE (a)
  DEMAND
DATE (b)
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

10,670

    Deutsche Bank SPEARS, TX, Dallas
Fort Worth International Airport Joint
Ser 2012 E & F SPEARS
Ser DBE-1127X (c)
   

0.18

%

 

01/07/13

 

11/01/35

 

$

10,670,000

   
 

15,000

    Eclipse Funding Trust, NY, New York State
Dormitory Authority Personal Income Tax
Ser 2012 B Solar Eclipse
Ser 2012-0003 (c)
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

03/15/20

   

15,000,000

   
 

1,000

    Florida State Board Of Education, FL,
Capital Outlay Ser 2005 G ROCs II-R
Ser 12017 (c)
   

0.14

   

01/07/13

 

10/15/16

   

1,000,000

   
       

Gainesville, FL,

                         
 

29,285

   

Utilities System 2007 Ser A

   

0.15

   

01/07/13

 

10/01/36

   

29,285,000

   
 

30,900

   

Utilities System 2008 Ser B

   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

10/01/38

   

30,900,000

   
 

11,200

    Golden Empire Schools Financing
Authority, CA, Kern High School District
Ser 2012
   

0.58

   

01/07/13

 

05/01/13

   

11,200,000

   
        Highlands County Health Facilities
Authority, FL,
                         
 

37,075

    Adventist Health System/Sunbelt
Obligated Group Ser 2007 A-1
   

0.10

   

01/07/13

 

11/15/33

   

37,075,000

   
 

26,300

    Adventist Health System/Sunbelt
Obligated Group Ser 2007 A-2
   

0.10

   

01/07/13

 

11/15/37

   

26,300,000

   
 

26,400

    Houston, TX, Combined Utility System
First Lien Ser 2004 B4
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

05/15/34

   

26,400,000

   
       

Illinois Toll Highway Authority,

                         
 

20,000

    Toll Highway Senior Priority
Ser 2007 A-1B
   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

07/01/30

   

20,000,000

   
 

22,500

    Toll Highway Senior Priority
Ser 2007 A-2B
   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

07/01/30

   

22,500,000

   
 

37,965

    Indiana Finance Authority, Trinity Health
Ser 2008 D-1
   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

12/01/34

   

37,965,000

   
 

2,000

    Indiana Health Facility Financing Authority,
Ascension Health Ser 2003 E-6
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

11/15/39

   

2,000,000

   
 

10,000

    Iowa Higher Education Loan Authority,
Grinnell College Ser 2008
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

06/01/23

   

10,000,000

   
       

JEA, FL,

                         
 

21,160

   

District Energy System Ser 2004 A

   

0.15

   

01/07/13

 

10/01/34

   

21,160,000

   
 

19,970

    Water & Sewer System
Subser 2008 A-2
   

0.14

   

01/07/13

 

10/01/42

   

19,970,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
9



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE (a)
  DEMAND
DATE (b)
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

21,825

    JP Morgan Chase & Co., IL, Illinois
Finance Authority University of
Chicago Medical Center
Ser 2011 C PUTTERs Ser 3907 (c)
   

0.16

%

 

01/07/13

 

02/15/19

 

$

21,825,000

   
 

28,500

    Long Island Power Authority, NY, Electric
System Ser 2012 C
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

05/01/33

   

28,500,000

   
 

31,800

    Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., GA, Gas
Ser 2010 A
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/40

   

31,800,000

   
 

1,000

    Maryland Economic Development
Corporation, Howard Hughes Medical
Institute Ser 2008 A
   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

02/15/43

   

1,000,000

   
 

4,130

   

Massachusetts, Refg 1997 Ser B

   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/15

   

4,130,000

   
 

28,320

    Massachusetts Department of
Transportation, Metropolitan Highway
System Contract Assistance
Ser 2010 A-2
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

01/01/37

   

28,320,000

   
 

29,900

    Massachusetts Health & Educational
Facilities Authority, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology Ser J-1
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

07/01/31

   

29,900,000

   
       

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority,

                         
 

20,000

   

Gen Ser 2008 A-1

   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/37

   

20,000,000

   
 

20,000

   

Gen Ser 2008 A-2

   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/37

   

20,000,000

   
 

31,200

   

Gen Ser 2008 A-3

   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/37

   

31,200,000

   
 

21,785

   

Gen Ser 2008 F

   

0.10

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/29

   

21,785,000

   
 

6,500

    Mesa, AZ, Utility Systems Ser 2011
ROCs II-R Ser 11959X (c)
   

0.14

   

01/07/13

 

01/01/19

   

6,500,000

   
       

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NY,

                         
 

24,400

   

Ser 2005 E Subser E-1

   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/35

   

24,400,000

   
 

20,000

   

Ser 2011 B

   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/41

   

20,000,000

   
 

25,000

    Michigan Finance Authority, Unemployment
Obligation Assessment Ser 2012 C
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

07/01/24

   

25,000,000

   
 

30,465

    Michigan Hospital Finance Authority,
Trinity Health Credit Group Ser 2005 F
   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/18

   

30,465,000

   
        Mobile Downtown Redevelopment
Authority, AL,
                         
 

10,000

    Gulf Opportunity Zone Austal USA LLC
Ser 2011 A
   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

05/01/41

   

10,000,000

   
 

10,000

    Gulf Opportunity Zone Austal USA LLC
Ser 2011 B
   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

05/01/41

   

10,000,000

   
 

31,000

    Murray City, UT, IHC Health Services, Inc.,
Ser 2003 B
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

05/15/36

   

31,000,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
10



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE (a)
  DEMAND
DATE (b)
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

28,290

    New Mexico Finance Authority, Sub Lien
Ser 2008 Subser B-1
   

0.10

%

 

01/07/13

 

12/15/26

 

$

28,290,000

   
 

23,120

    New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan
Council, Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Ser 2008
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/34

   

23,120,000

   
 

12,935

    New Mexico Municipal Energy Acquisition
Authority, Gas Supply Ser 2009
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/39

   

12,935,000

   
 

30,600

    New York City Municipal Water Finance
Authority, NY, Second General
Fiscal 2010 Ser CC
   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

06/15/41

   

30,600,000

   
        New York City Transitional Finance
Authority, NY,
                         
 

35,000

   

Future Tax Fiscal 2010 Ser F Subser F-5

   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

02/01/35

   

35,000,000

   
 

15,100

   

Future Tax Fiscal 2013 Ser A Subser A-7

   

0.10

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/39

   

15,100,000

   
 

8,600

   

New York City, NY, Fiscal 2004 Subser H-2

   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

03/01/34

   

8,600,000

   
 

27,650

    New York State Local Government
Assistance Corporation, Ser 2008 B
   

0.11

   

01/07/13

 

04/01/21

   

27,650,000

   
 

3,235

    North Carolina Medical Care
Commission, FirstHealth of the Carolinas
Ser 2008 A
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

10/01/28

   

3,235,000

   
 

19,000

    Orlando Utilities Commission, FL, Utility
System Ser 2008-2
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

10/01/33

   

19,000,000

   
 

10,000

    Pinellas County Health Facilities
Authority, FL, Baycare Health System
Ser 2009 A-2
   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

11/01/38

   

10,000,000

   
 

12,000

    RBC Municipal Products Trust, Inc., IN,
Indiana Finance Authority Indiana
University Health Ser 2011 L & M Floater
Certificates Ser E-23 (c)
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

03/01/36

   

12,000,000

   
 

10,000

    RBC Municipal Products Trust, Inc., MN,
Minneapolis Fairview Health Services
Ser 2010 C&D Floater Certificates
Ser E-19 (c)
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

06/13/13

   

10,000,000

   
 

27,970

    RBC Municipal Products Trust, Inc., PA,
Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission
Ser 2011 C-1 Floater Certificates
Ser E-22 (c)
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

12/01/38

   

27,970,000

   
 

20,000

    San Antonio, TX, Electric & Gas
Systems Jr. Lien Ser 2003
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

02/01/33

   

20,000,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
11



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE (a)
  DEMAND
DATE (b)
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

10,000

    Sheridan Redevelopment Agency, CO,
Tax Incremental South Santa Fe Drive
Corridor Ser 2011 A-1
   

0.18

%

 

01/07/13

 

12/01/29

 

$

10,000,000

   
 

1,130

    Southcentral Pennsylvania General
Authority, PA, WellSpan Health
Ser 2008 A ROCs II-R Ser 11686 (c)
   

0.14

   

01/07/13

 

12/01/24

   

1,130,000

   
       

Texas Transportation Commission,

                         
 

28,800

    Mobility Fund Ser 2006
Eagle # 20060126 CL A (c)
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

04/01/35

   

28,800,000

   
 

10,000

    Mobility Fund Ser 2007
Eagle #20070090 Class A (c)
   

0.13

   

01/07/13

 

04/01/37

   

10,000,000

   
       

University of Texas Regents,

                         
 

28,030

   

Financing System Ser 2007 B

   

0.09

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/34

   

28,030,000

   
 

42,600

   

Financing System Ser 2008 B

   

0.10

   

01/07/13

 

08/01/32

   

42,600,000

   
 

7,365

   

Utah Water Finance Agency, Ser 2008 B

   

0.12

   

01/07/13

 

10/01/37

   

7,365,000

   
 

5,000

    Wells Fargo Stage Trust, NE, Omaha Public
Power District Ser 2012 B Stage Trust
Ser 79C (c)
   

0.16

   

01/07/13

 

02/01/46

   

5,000,000

   
 

36,540

    Wells Fargo Stage Trust, UT, Riverton IHC
Health Services, Inc., Ser 2012 A Stage
Trust Ser 2012-33C (c)
   

0.16

   

01/07/13

 

05/15/39

   

36,540,000

   
        Total Weekly Variable Rate Bonds (Cost $1,478,470,000)          

   

1,478,470,000

   
   

Daily Variable Rate Bonds (8.6%)

 
 

12,450

    East Baton Rouge Parish, LA, Exxon
Mobil Corp., Ser 2010 B
   

0.09

   

01/02/13

 

12/01/40

   

12,450,000

   
 

4,600

    Gulf Coast Industrial Development
Authority, TX, ExxonMobil Project
Ser 2012
   

0.10

   

01/02/13

 

11/01/41

   

4,600,000

   
       

JP Morgan Chase & Co., TX,

                         
 

53,095

    Texas Ser 2012 TRANs PUTTERs
Ser 4262 (c)
   

0.14

   

01/02/13

 

08/30/13

   

53,095,000

   
 

10,000

    Texas Ser 2012 TRANs PUTTERs
Ser 4264 (c)
   

0.15

   

01/02/13

 

08/30/13

   

10,000,000

   
 

42,490

    Massachusetts, Central Artery
Ser 2000 A
   

0.15

   

01/02/13

 

12/01/30

   

42,490,000

   
 

7,090

    Massachusetts Health & Educational
Facility Authority, Harvard University
Ser 2005 C ROCs II-R Ser 10390 (c)
   

0.11

   

01/02/13

 

01/15/14

   

7,090,000

   
  23,000     New York City, NY, Fiscal 2008 Ser J
Subser J-3
   

0.11

   

01/02/13

 

08/01/23

   

23,000,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
12



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE (a)
  DEMAND
DATE (b)
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

22,400

    New York City Transitional Finance
Authority, NY, Future Tax Fiscal 2010
Ser G Subser G-5
   

0.11

%

 

01/02/13

 

05/01/34

 

$

22,400,000

   
        Total Daily Variable Rate Bonds (Cost $175,125,000)          

   

175,125,000

   
   


  COUPON
RATE
  YIELD TO
MATURITY
ON DATE OF
PURCHASE
 

 


 
   

Commercial Paper (7.2%)

 
 

5,000

    California Health Facilities Financing
Authority, Kaiser Permanente
Ser 2006 E
   

0.23

%

   

0.23

%

 

05/20/13

   

5,000,000

   
        Harris County Cultural Education Facilities
Finance Corporation, TX,
                             
 

20,000

    Methodist Hospital System
Ser 2009 C-1
   

0.23

     

0.23

   

03/06/13

   

20,000,000

   
 

10,000

    Methodist Hospital System
Ser 2009 C-1
   

0.23

     

0.23

   

05/20/13

   

10,000,000

   
 

10,000

    Methodist Hospital System
Ser 2009 C-1
   

0.24

     

0.24

   

04/03/13

   

10,000,000

   
 

5,000

    Methodist Hospital System
Ser 2009 C-2
   

0.22

     

0.22

   

08/05/13

   

5,000,000

   
 

5,000

    Methodist Hospital System
Ser 2009 C-2
   

0.23

     

0.23

   

07/09/13

   

5,000,000

   
       

Houston, TX,

                             
 

10,000

   

Ser G-2

   

0.22

     

0.22

   

01/24/13

   

10,000,000

   
 

10,000

   

Ser H-2

   

0.22

     

0.22

   

01/17/13

   

10,000,000

   
 

10,000

   

Howard County, Ser 2011 BANs

   

0.20

     

0.20

   

02/19/13

   

10,000,000

   
       

JEA, FL,

                             
 

10,000

   

Electric System Subser 2000 F-1

   

0.20

     

0.20

   

01/10/13

   

10,000,000

   
 

10,000

   

Electric System Subser 2001 C

   

0.21

     

0.21

   

01/10/13

   

10,000,000

   
       

Missouri Development Finance Board,

                             
 

10,000

    Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities
Lease Ser 2005 A
   

0.17

     

0.17

   

01/08/13

   

10,000,000

   
 

5,000

    Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities
Lease Ser 2008 A
   

0.17

     

0.17

   

01/08/13

   

5,000,000

   
 

5,000

    Nebraska Public Power District,
Ser A Notes
   

0.23

     

0.23

   

03/07/13

   

5,000,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
13



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  YIELD TO
MATURITY
ON DATE OF
PURCHASE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
       

North Texas Tollway Authority, TX,

                             

$

1,000

   

Ser 2009 D

   

0.19

%

   

0.19

%

 

02/14/13

 

$

1,000,000

   
 

2,000

   

Ser 2009 D

   

0.20

     

0.20

   

02/13/13

   

2,000,000

   
 

4,000

   

Ser 2009 D

   

0.21

     

0.21

   

02/12/13

   

4,000,000

   
 

5,000

    Phoenix Civic Improvement Corporation, AZ,
Airport Ser 2011 B-1
   

0.23

     

0.23

   

02/13/13

   

5,000,000

   
 

10,000

    San Antonio, TX, Electric & Gas Systems
Ser B
   

0.15

     

0.15

   

01/18/13

   

10,000,000

   
        Total Commercial Paper (Cost $147,000,000)                

147,000,000

   
   

Municipal Bonds & Notes (6.4%)

 
 

2,000

    Antelope Valley Community College
District, CA, Ser 2012-13 TRANs, dtd,
10/25/12
   

2.00

     

0.42

   

10/15/13

   

2,024,722

   
 

52,000

    California, Ser 2012-13 A-2 RANs, dtd,
08/23/12
   

2.50

     

0.43

   

06/20/13

   

52,499,563

   
 

3,000

    Hazard, KY, Appalachian Regional
Healthcare Ser 2012 BANs, dtd,
12/27/12
   

1.00

     

0.50

   

12/01/13

   

3,013,656

   
 

1,500

    Kentucky Rural Water Finance Corporation,
Public Projects Construction Notes
Ser D-2012-1, dtd, 09/20/12
   

1.00

     

0.32

   

10/01/13

   

1,507,613

   
        Los Angeles County Schools Pooled
Financing Program, CA,
                             
 

4,800

    Pooled 2011-2012 Ser B-3 TRANs, dtd
03/01/12
   

2.00

     

0.45

   

01/31/13

   

4,806,060

   
 

4,000

    Pooled 2012-2013 Ser B-1 TRANs, dtd
12/14/12
   

2.00

     

0.30

   

11/29/13

   

4,061,619

   
 

1,000

    Lucas County, OH, Ser 2012 BANs, dtd,
07/18/12
   

1.00

     

0.37

   

07/18/13

   

1,003,401

   
 

1,000

    Minnesota Rural Water Finance Authority,
Public Projects Construction Notes
Ser 2012, dtd, 03/01/12
   

1.25

     

0.40

   

03/01/13

   

1,001,368

   
 

60,000

    New Jersey, Ser Fiscal 2013 C TRANs, dtd,
11/20/12
   

2.50

     

0.35

   

06/27/13

   

60,627,016

   
 

1,000

    North Dakota Rural Water Finance
Corporation, Public Projects Construction
Notes Ser 2012 B-1, dtd, 06/28/12
   

0.37

     

0.37

   

07/01/13

   

1,000,000

   
        Total Municipal Bonds & Notes (Cost $131,545,018)                

131,545,018

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
14



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE (a)
  DEMAND
DATE (b)
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Put Option Bonds (3.0%)

 

$

2,585

    Deutsche Bank SPEARS, IL, Illinois Housing
Development Authority Pioneer Village
2007 Ser C SPEARS
Ser DBE-1117 (AMT) (c)
   

0.35

%

 

02/14/13

 

07/01/44

 

$

2,585,000

   
 

2,000

    Illinois Finance Authority, Advocate Health
Care Window Ser 2011 B
   

0.25

   

07/29/13

 

04/01/51

   

2,000,000

   
 

2,000

    Kentucky Economic Development Finance
Authority, Catholic Health Initiatives
Window Ser 2011 B-1
   

0.23

   

07/29/13

 

02/01/46

   

2,000,000

   
 

2,100

    Kentucky Economic Development Finance
Authority, Catholic Health Initiatives
Window Ser 2011 B-3
   

0.23

   

07/29/13

 

02/01/46

   

2,100,000

   
 

555

    Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority, Senior Sales Tax Window
Ser 2010 A
   

0.22

   

07/29/13

 

07/01/30

   

555,000

   
 

5,000

    Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California, Water 2009 Ser A-1
   

0.13

   

08/30/13

 

07/01/30

   

5,000,000

   
 

21,000

    New York Liberty Development
Corporation, NY, 3 World Trade Center
Ser 2011 A
   

0.25

   

08/22/13

 

12/01/49

   

21,000,000

   
 

205

    Norfolk Economic Development
Authority, VA, Sentara Healthcare Window
Ser 2010 B
   

0.25

   

07/29/13

 

11/01/34

   

205,000

   
 

250

    Norfolk Economic Development
Authority, VA, Sentara Healthcare Window
Ser 2010 C
   

0.25

   

07/29/13

 

11/01/34

   

250,000

   
 

4,425

    Norfolk Economic Development
Authority, VA, Sentara Healthcare Window
Ser 2012 A
   

0.21

   

07/29/13

 

11/01/34

   

4,425,000

   
 

5,000

    Orlando Utilities Commission, FL, Utility
System Window Ser 2011 A
   

0.24

   

07/29/13

 

10/01/27

   

5,000,000

   
 

8,000

    Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities
Finance Corporation, TX, Baylor Health
Care System Window Ser 2011 B
   

0.26

   

07/29/13

 

11/15/50

   

8,000,000

   
 

4,000

    Wells Fargo Stage Trust, CO, Regional
Transportation District Sales Tax
Ser 2012 A Stage Trust Ser 110C (c)
   

0.27

   

06/13/13

 

11/01/37

   

4,000,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
15



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE (a)
  DEMAND
DATE (b)
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

4,170

    Wells Fargo Stage Trust, WI, Ser 2012 B
Stage Trust Ser 111C
   

0.27

%

 

06/13/13

 

05/01/33

 

$

4,170,000

   
        Total Put Option Bonds (Cost $61,290,000)                

61,290,000

   
   

Closed-End Investment Companies (2.1%)

 
 

7,600

    Nuveen Insured Premium Income Municipal
Fund 2, VRDP Ser 2 (AMT) (c)
   

0.25

   

01/07/13

 

06/01/40

   

7,600,000

   
 

12,000

    Nuveen Premier Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,
VRDP Ser 1-1277 (AMT)
   

0.23

   

01/07/13

 

05/05/41

   

12,000,000

   
 

23,000

    Nuveen Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc.,
VRDP Ser 1-2525 (AMT) (c)
   

0.23

   

01/07/13

 

05/01/41

   

23,000,000

   
        Total Closed-End Investment Companies (Cost $42,600,000)                

42,600,000

   
        Total Investments (Cost $2,036,030,018)            

99.8

%

   

2,036,030,018

   
       

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

           

0.2

     

3,660,315

   
   

Net Assets

               

100.0

%

 

$

2,039,690,333

   

  AMT  Alternative Minimum Tax.

  BANs  Bond Anticipation Notes.

  PUTTERS  Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts.

  RANs  Revenue Anticipation Notes.

  ROCs  Reset Option Certificates.

  TRANs  Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes.

  VRDP  Variable Rate Demand Preferred.

  (a)  Rate shown is the rate in effect at December 31, 2012.

  (b)  Date on which the principal amount can be recovered through demand.

  (c)  144A security - Certain conditions for public sale may exist. Unless otherwise noted, these securities are deemed to be liquid.

See Notes to Financial Statements
16




Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2012

Assets:

 

Investments in securities, at value (cost $2,036,030,018)

 

$

2,036,030,018

   

Cash

   

196,064

   

Receivable for:

 

Shares of beneficial interest sold

   

45,113,460

   

Interest

   

1,156,483

   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

11,401

   

Total Assets

   

2,082,507,426

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for:

 

Shares of beneficial interest redeemed

   

42,281,505

   

Transfer agent fee

   

230,584

   

Administration fee

   

86,624

   

Advisory fee

   

79,722

   

Accrued expenses and other payables

   

138,658

   

Total Liabilities

   

42,817,093

   

Net Assets

 

$

2,039,690,333

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

 

$

2,039,707,297

   
Dividends in excess of net investment income    

(16,964

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

2,039,690,333

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 
2,039,608,374 shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized of $.01 par value)  

$

1.00

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
17



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Financial Statements continued

Statement of Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2012

Net Investment Income:

 

Interest

 

$

3,550,139

   

Dividends from affiliate (Note 5)

   

215

   

Total Income

   

3,550,354

   

Expenses

 

Advisory fee (Note 3)

   

6,988,396

   

Shareholder services fee (Note 4)

   

2,044,087

   

Administration fee (Note 3)

   

1,022,043

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

   

325,451

   

Professional fees

   

88,409

   

Shareholder reports and notices

   

80,144

   

Custodian fees

   

71,238

   

Trustees' fees and expenses

   

56,746

   

Registration fees

   

28,495

   

Other

   

236,761

   

Total Expenses

   

10,941,770

   

Less: amounts waived/reimbursed (Note 4)

   

(7,595,422

)

 

Less: rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliated cash sweep (Note 5)

   

(1,119

)

 

Net Expenses

   

3,345,229

   

Net Investment Income

   

205,125

   

Net Realized Gain

   

9,017

   

Net Increase

 

$

214,142

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
18



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2012
  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:
Operations:
 

Net investment income

 

$

205,125

   

$

150,775

   

Net realized gain

   

9,017

     

42,986

   

Net Increase

   

214,142

     

193,761

   

Dividends to shareholders from net investment income

   

(204,961

)

   

(150,966

)

 

Net increase (decrease) from transactions in shares of beneficial interest

   

(59,472,187

)

   

1,861,138,012

   

Net Increase (Decrease)

   

(59,463,006

)

   

1,861,180,807

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

2,099,153,339

     

237,972,532

   
End of Period
(Including dividends in excess of net investment income of $(16,964)
and $(59,897), respectively)
 

$

2,039,690,333

   

$

2,099,153,339

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
19




Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012

1. Organization and Accounting Policies

Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high level of daily income which is exempt from federal income tax, consistent with stability of principal and liquidity. The Fund was incorporated in Maryland on March 24, 1980, commenced operations on February 20, 1981 and reorganized as a Massachusetts business trust on April 30, 1987.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:

A. Valuation of Investments — Portfolio securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the Act. Investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value as of the close of each business day.

B. Accounting for Investments — Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities and are included in interest income. Interest income is accrued daily as earned.

C. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the close of each business day.

D. Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

E. Indemnifications — The Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Fair Valuation Measurements

Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed


20



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs); and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

•  Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2012.

INVESTMENT TYPE

  LEVEL 1
UNADJUSTED
QUOTED
PRICES
  LEVEL 2
OTHER
SIGNIFICANT
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS
  LEVEL 3
SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
 

TOTAL

 

Assets:

 

Weekly Variable Rate Bonds

 

$

   

$

1,478,470,000

   

$

   

$

1,478,470,000

   

Daily Variable Rate Bonds

   

     

175,125,000

     

     

175,125,000

   

Commercial Paper

   

     

147,000,000

     

     

147,000,000

   

Municipal Bonds & Notes

   

     

131,545,018

     

     

131,545,018

   

Put Option Bonds

   

     

61,290,000

     

     

61,290,000

   

Closed-End Investment Companies

   

     

42,600,000

     

     

42,600,000

   

Total Assets

 

$

   

$

2,036,030,018

   

$

   

$

2,036,030,018

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes. The Fund recognizes transfers between the levels as of the


21



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

end of the period. As of December 31, 2012, the Fund did not have any investments transfer between investment levels.

3. Advisory/Administration Agreements

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), the Fund pays the Adviser an advisory fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the following annual rates to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business day: 0.45% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.375% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.325% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.30% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.275% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.25% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.225% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; 0.20% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion but not exceeding $15 billion; and 0.199% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $15 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the advisory fee rate (net of waivers/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.07% of the Fund's daily net assets.

Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the "Administrator"), an affiliate of the Adviser, the Fund pays an administration fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.05% to the Fund's daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Fund. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

The Adviser has agreed to cap the Fund's operating expenses by assuming the Fund's "other expenses" and/or waiving the Fund's advisory fees, and the Administrator has agreed to waive the Fund's administrative fees, to the extent that such operating expenses exceed 0.60% of the average daily net assets of the Fund on an annualized basis. These fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year or until such time that the Fund's Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or expense reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.


22



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

4. Shareholder Services Plan

Pursuant to a Shareholder Services Plan (the "Plan"), the Fund may pay Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (the "Distributor") as compensation for the provision of services to shareholders a service fee up to the rate of 0.15% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

Reimbursements for these expenses are made in monthly payments by the Fund to the Distributor, which will in no event exceed an amount equal to a payment at the annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund's average daily net assets during the month. Expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Plan in any fiscal year will not be reimbursed by the Fund through payments accrued in any subsequent fiscal year. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the distribution fee was accrued at the annual rate of 0.10%.

The Distributor, Adviser and Administrator have agreed to waive and/or reimburse all or a portion of the Fund's shareholder services fee, advisory fee and administration fee, respectively, to the extent that total expenses exceed total income of the Fund on a daily basis. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Distributor waived $2,044,087, the Adviser waived $5,515,335 and the Administrator waived $36,000. These fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year or until such time that the Fund's Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or expense reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.

5. Transactions with Affiliates

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds – Government Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2012, advisory fees paid were reduced by $1,119 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of the Liquidity Funds during the year ended December 31, 2012 is as follows:

VALUE
DECEMBER 31, 2011
  PURCHASES
AT COST
 

SALES

  DIVIDEND
INCOME
  VALUE
DECEMBER 31, 2012
 
$

   

$

59,800,000

   

$

59,800,000

   

$

215

   

$

   

Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser and Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent.


23



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain independent Trustees of the Fund who will have served as independent Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this plan are based on factors which include years of service and compensation. The Trustees voted to close the plan to new participants and eliminate the future benefits growth due to increases to compensation after July 31, 2003. Aggregate pension costs for the year ended December 31, 2012, included in "Trustees' fees and expenses" in the Statement of Operations amounted to $4,287. At December 31, 2012, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of $60,088, which is included in "Accrued expenses and other payables" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Trustee to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Trustees. Each eligible Trustee generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the net asset value of the Fund.

6. Shares of Beneficial Interest

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest, at $1.00 per share, were as follows:

    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2012
  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

Shares sold

   

5,737,242,942

     

6,806,924,869

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends

   

203,739

     

148,794

   
     

5,737,446,681

     

6,807,073,663

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(5,796,918,868

)

   

(4,945,935,651

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

   

(59,472,187

)

   

1,861,138,012

   

7. Federal Income Tax Status

It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for Federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid daily. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.


24



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

FASB ASC 740-10, Income Taxes — Overall, sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2012, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal 2012 and 2011 was as follows:

2012 Distributions Paid From:  

2011 Distributions Paid From:

 
Tax-Exempt
Income
  Ordinary
Income
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
  Tax-Exempt
Income
  Ordinary
Income
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
 
$

161,987

   

$

30,354

   

$

12,620

   

$

148,983

   

$

499

   

$

1,484

   

The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These book/tax differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature.

Temporary differences are attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to a distribution reclass, equalization and nondeductible expenses, resulted in the following reclassifications among the Fund's components of net assets at December 31, 2012:

DIVIDENDS
IN EXCESS OF
NET INVESTMENT
INCOME
  ACCUMULATED
UNDISTRIBUTED
NET REALIZED
GAIN
 

PAID-IN-CAPITAL

 
$

42,769

   

$

(50,307

)

 

$

7,538

   

At December 31, 2012, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY
INCOME
  UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME
  UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAIN
 
$

   

$

53,944

   

$

   


25



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

At December 31, 2012, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is the same as the cost for book purposes.

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the "Modernization Act") was signed into law. The Modernization Act modernizes several tax provisions related to Regulated Investment Companies ("RICs") and their shareholders. One key change made by the Modernization Act is that capital losses will generally retain their character as short-term or long-term and may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future gains. These losses are utilized before other capital loss carryforwards that expire. Generally, the Modernization Act is effective for taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010.

8. Expense Offset

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with State Street (the "Custodian"), whereby credits realized on uninvested cash balances may be used to offset a portion of the Fund's expenses. If applicable, these custodian credits are shown as "expense offset" in the Statement of Operations.

9. Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-11, Balance Sheet: Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The pronouncement improves disclosures for recognized financial and derivative instruments that are either offset on the balance sheet in accordance with the offsetting guidance in ASC 210-20-45, Balance Sheet: Offsetting — Other Presentation Matters or ASC 815-10-45, Derivatives: Overall — Other Presentation Matters or are subject to enforceable master netting agreements or similar agreements. The Fund will be required to disclose information about rights to offset and related arrangements (such as collateral agreements) in order to enable financial statement users to understand the effect of those rights and arrangements on its financial position as well as disclose the following (1) gross amounts; (2) amounts offset in the statement of financial position; (3) any other amounts that can be offset in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or default of any of the parties (including cash and noncash financial collateral); and (4) the Fund's net exposure. The requirements are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and must be applied retrospectively. At this time, the Fund's management is evaluating the implications of ASU 2011-11 and its impact, if any, on the financial statements.


26




Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Financial Highlights

Selected ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period:

   

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

 
   

2012

 

2011

 

2010^

 

2009^

 

2008^

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

1.00

   

$

1.00

   

$

1.00

   

$

1.00

   

$

1.00

   

Net income from investment operations

   

0.000

(1)

   

0.000

(1)

   

0.000

(1)

   

0.000

(1)

   

0.017

   
Less dividends from net investment
income
   

(0.000

)(1)     

(0.000

)(1)     

(0.000

)(1)     

(0.000

)(1)     

(0.017

)(2)   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

1.00

   

$

1.00

   

$

1.00

   

$

1.00

   

$

1.00

   

Total Return

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

1.67

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 
Net expenses(3)     

0.16

%(4)     

0.14

%(4)     

0.30

%(4)     

0.48

%(4)(5)     

0.61

%(4)(5)   
Net investment income(3)     

0.01

%(4)     

0.01

%(4)     

0.01

%(4)     

0.02

%(4)(5)     

1.64

%(4)(5)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.00

%(6)     

0.00

%(6)     

0.00

%(6)     

0.00

%(6)     

0.00

%(6)   

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

2,039,690

   

$

2,099,153

   

$

237,973

   

$

289,144

   

$

451,476

   

  ^  Beginning with the year ended December 31, 2011, the Fund was audited by Ernst & Young LLP. The previous years were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm.

  (1)  Amount is less than $0.001.

  (2)  Includes capital gain distribution of less than $0.001.

  (3)  If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were reimbursed or waived by the Distributor, Adviser, and Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment income (loss) ratios, would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
INCOME (LOSS) RATIO
 

December 31, 2012

   

0.54

%

   

(0.37

)%

 

December 31, 2011

   

0.53

     

(0.38

)

 

December 31, 2010

   

0.74

     

(0.43

)

 

December 31, 2009

   

0.77

     

(0.27

)

 

December 31, 2008

   

0.72

     

1.53

   

  (4)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with investments in a Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate."

  (5)  Reflects fees paid in connection with the U.S. Treasury's Temporary Guarantee Program for Money Market Funds. This fee had an effect of 0.04% and 0.05% for the year ended 2009 and 2008, respectively.

  (6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements
27




Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust (the "Fund"), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2012, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for the three years ended December 31, 2010 were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm whose report, dated February 25, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian and others. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust at December 31, 2012, the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

  

Boston, Massachusetts
February 22, 2013


28



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited)

An Important Notice Concerning Our U.S. Privacy Policy

This privacy notice describes the U.S. privacy policy of Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc., and the Morgan Stanley family of mutual funds ("us", "our", "we").

We are required by federal law to provide you with notice of our U.S. privacy policy ("Policy"). This Policy applies to both our current and former clients unless we state otherwise and is intended for individual clients who purchase products or receive services from us for personal, family or household purposes. This Policy is not applicable to partnerships, corporations, trusts or other non-individual clients or account holders, nor is this Policy applicable to individuals who are either beneficiaries of a trust for which we serve as trustee or participants in an employee benefit plan administered or advised by us. This Policy is, however, applicable to individuals who select us to be a custodian of securities or assets in individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, or accounts subject to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act.

This notice sets out our business practices to protect your privacy; how we collect and share personal information about you; and how you can limit our sharing or certain uses by others of this information. We may amend this Policy at any time, and will inform you of any changes to our Policy as required by law.

We Respect Your Privacy

We appreciate that you have provided us with your personal financial information and understand your concerns about your information. We strive to safeguard the information our clients entrust to us. Protecting the confidentiality and security of client information is an important part of how we conduct our business.

This notice describes what personal information we collect about you, how we collect it, when we may share it with others, and how certain others may use it. It discusses the steps you may take to limit our sharing of certain information about you with our affiliated companies, including, but not limited to our affiliated banking businesses, brokerage firms and credit service affiliates. It also discloses how you may limit our affiliates' use of shared information for marketing purposes.

Throughout this Policy, we refer to the nonpublic information that personally identifies you as "personal information." We also use the term "affiliated company" in this notice. An affiliated company is a company in our family of companies and includes companies with the Morgan Stanley name. These affiliated companies are financial institutions such as broker-dealers, banks, investment advisers and credit card issuers. We refer to any company that is not an affiliated company as a nonaffiliated third party. For purposes of Section 5 of this notice, and your ability to limit certain uses of personal


29



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited) continued

information by our affiliates, this notice applies to the use of personal information by our affiliated companies.

1. What Personal Information Do We Collect From You?

We may collect the following types of information about you: (i) information provided by you, including information from applications and other forms we receive from you, (ii) information about your transactions with us or our affiliates, (iii) information about your transactions with nonaffiliated third parties, (iv) information from consumer reporting agencies, (v) information obtained from our websites, and (vi) information obtained from other sources. For example:

•  We collect information such as your name, address, e-mail address, telephone/fax numbers, assets, income and investment objectives through applications and other forms you submit to us.

•  We may obtain information about account balances, your use of account(s) and the types of products and services you prefer to receive from us through your dealings and transactions with us and other sources.

•  We may obtain information about your creditworthiness and credit history from consumer reporting agencies.

•  We may collect background information from and through third-party vendors to verify representations you have made and to comply with various regulatory requirements.

2. When Do We Disclose Personal Information We Collect About You?

We may disclose personal information we collect about you in each of the categories listed above to affiliated and nonaffiliated third parties.

a. Information We Disclose to Affiliated Companies. We may disclose personal information that we collect about you to our affiliated companies to manage your account(s) effectively, to service and process your transactions, and to let you know about products and services offered by us and affiliated companies, to manage our business, and as otherwise required or permitted by law. Offers for products and services from affiliated companies are developed under conditions designed to safeguard your personal information.

b. Information We Disclose to Third Parties. We may disclose personal information that we collect about you to nonaffiliated third parties to provide marketing services on our behalf or to other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing agreements. We may also disclose all of the information we collect to other nonaffiliated third parties for our everyday business purposes, such as to process transactions, maintain account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, report to


30



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited) continued

credit bureaus, offer our own products and services, protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to perform services on our behalf, and as otherwise required or permitted by law.

When we share personal information about you with a nonaffiliated third party, they are required to limit their use of personal information about you to the particular purpose for which it was shared and they are not allowed to share personal information about you with others except to fulfill that limited purpose or as may be permitted or required by law.

3. How Do We Protect The Security and Confidentiality Of Personal Information We Collect About You?

We maintain physical, electronic and procedural security measures that comply with applicable law and regulations to help safeguard the personal information we collect about you. We have internal policies governing the proper handling of client information by employees. Third parties that provide support or marketing services on our behalf may also receive personal information about you, and we require them to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

4. How Can You Limit Our Sharing Certain Personal Information About You With Our Affiliated Companies For Eligibility Determination?

By following the opt-out procedures in Section 6 below, you may limit the extent to which we share with our affiliated companies, personal information that was collected to determine your eligibility for products and services such as your credit reports and other information that you have provided to us or that we may obtain from third parties ("eligibility information"). Eligibility information does not include your identification information or personal information pertaining to our transactions or experiences with you. Please note that, even if you direct us not to share eligibility information with our affiliated companies, we may still share your personal information, including eligibility information, with our affiliated companies under circumstances that are permitted under applicable law, such as to process transactions or to service your account.

5. How Can You Limit the Use of Certain Personal Information About You by Our Affiliated Companies for Marketing?

By following the opt-out instructions in Section 6 below, you may limit our affiliated companies from marketing their products or services to you based on personal information we disclose to them. This information may include, for example, your income and account history with us. Please note that, even if you choose to limit our affiliated companies from using personal information about you that we may share with them for marketing their products and services to you, our affiliated companies may use your


31



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited) continued

personal information that they obtain from us to market to you in circumstances permitted by law, such as if the affiliated party has its own relationship with you.

6. How Can You Send Us an Opt-Out Instruction?

If you wish to limit our sharing of eligibility information about you with our affiliated companies, or our affiliated companies' use of personal information for marketing purposes, as described in this notice, you may do so by:

•  Calling us at (800) 548-7786
Monday–Friday between 8a.m. and 5p.m. (EST)

•  Writing to us at the following address:
Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
c/o Privacy Coordinator
201 Plaza Two, 3rd Floor
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311

If you choose to write to us, your request should include: your name, address, telephone number and account number(s) to which the opt-out applies and whether you are opting out with respect to sharing of eligibility information (Section 4 above), or information used for marketing (Section 5 above), or both. Written opt-out requests should not be sent with any other correspondence. In order to process your request, we require that the request be provided by you directly and not through a third party. Once you have informed us about your privacy preferences, your opt-out preference will remain in effect with respect to this Policy (as it may be amended) until you notify us otherwise. If you are a joint account owner, we will accept instructions from any one of you and apply those instructions to the entire account.

Please understand that if you limit our sharing or our affiliated companies' use of personal information, you and any joint account holder(s) may not receive information about our affiliated companies' products and services, including products or services that could help you manage your financial resources and achieve your investment objectives.

If you have more than one account or relationship with us, please specify the accounts to which you would like us to apply your privacy choices. If you have accounts or relationships with our affiliates, you may receive multiple privacy policies from them, and will need to separately notify those companies of your privacy choices for those accounts or relationships.


32



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited) continued

7. What if an affiliated company becomes a nonaffiliated third party?

If, at any time in the future, an affiliated company becomes a nonaffiliated third party, further disclosures of personal information made to the former affiliated company will be limited to those described in Section 2(b) above relating to nonaffiliated third parties. If you elected under Section 6 to limit disclosures we make to affiliated companies, or use of personal information by affiliated companies, your election will not apply to use by any former affiliated company of your personal information in their possession once it becomes a nonaffiliated third party.

Special Notice to Residents of Vermont
The following section supplements our Policy with respect to our individual clients who have a Vermont address and supersedes anything to the contrary in the above Policy with respect to those clients only.

The State of Vermont requires financial institutions to obtain your consent prior to sharing personal information that they collect about you with nonaffiliated third parties, or eligibility information with affiliated companies, other than in certain limited circumstances. Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about you with nonaffiliated third parties or eligibility information with affiliated companies, unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

Special Notice to Residents of California
The following section supplements our Policy with respect to our individual clients who have a California address and supersedes anything to the contrary in the above Policy with respect to those clients only.

In response to a California law, if your account has a California home address, your personal information will not be disclosed to nonaffiliated third parties except as permitted by applicable California law, and we will limit sharing such personal information with our affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


33



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Trustees:

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Frank L. Bowman (68)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

  Since
August 2006
 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since February 2007); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996); and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; Awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

101

 

Director of BP p.l.c.; Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director of the Armed Services YMCA of the USA and the U.S. Naval Submarine League; Director of the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board.

 


34



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Michael Bozic (72)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

  Since
April 1994
 

Private investor and a member of the advisory board of American Road Group LLC (retail) (since June 2000); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2006); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since April 1994); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (July 2006-September 2006); Vice Chairman of Kmart Corporation (December 1998-October 2000), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture Corporation (November 1995-November 1998) and President and Chief Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May 1991-July 1995); variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears Merchandise Group of Sears, Roebuck & Co.

 

103

 

Trustee and member of the Hillsdale College Board of Trustees.

 
Kathleen A. Dennis (59)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

  Since
August 2006
 

President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); Chairperson of the Money Market and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

101

 

Director of various non-profit organizations.

 


35



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (64)
c/o Johnson Smick Group, Inc.
888 16th Street, N.W.
Suite 740
Washington, D.C. 20006
 

Trustee

  Since
July 1991
 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

103

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 
Joseph J. Kearns (70)
c/o Kearns & Associates LLC
PMB754
22631 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
 

Trustee

  Since
August 1994
 

President, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (and since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust.

 

104

 

Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing) and The Ford Family Foundation.

 


36



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Michael F. Klein (54)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

  Since
August 2006
 

Managing Director, Aetos Capital, LLC (since March 2000) and Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LLC (since January 2004); Chairperson of the Fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management, President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000) and Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

101

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Capital, LLC. Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Michael E. Nugent (76)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Chairperson of the Board and Trustee

 

Chairperson of the Boards since July 2006 and Trustee since July 1991

 

General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P. (private investment partnership); Chairperson of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 2006); Chairperson of the Close-End Fund Committee (since June 2012) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (until July 2006).

 

103

 

None.

 


37



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
W. Allen Reed (65)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

  Since
August 2006
 

Chairperson of the Equity Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, President and CEO of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

101

 

Director of Temple-Inland Industries (packaging and forest products); Director of Legg Mason, Inc. and Director of the Auburn University Foundation.

 
Fergus Reid (80)
c/o Joe Pietryka, Inc.
85 Charles Colman Blvd.
Pawling, NY 12564
 

Trustee

  Since
June 1992
 

Chairman, Joe Pietryka, Inc.; Chairperson of the Governance Committee and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1992).

 

104

 

None.

 

Interested Trustee:

Name, Age and Address of
Interested Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Interested
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Interested Trustee***
 
James F. Higgins (65)
c/o Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
 

Trustee

  Since
June 2000
 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 2000); Senior Advisor of Morgan Stanley (since August 2000).

 

102

 

Director of AXA Financial, Inc. and The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (financial services).

 

  *  Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

  **  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2012) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

  ***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Trustee at any time during the past five years.


38



Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Executive Officers:

Name, Age and Address of
Executive Officer
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
Kevin Klingert (50)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

President and Principal Executive Officer — Money Market and Liquidity Funds

 

Since September 2010

 

President and Principal Executive Officer (since September 2010) of the Money Market and Liquidity Funds; Head of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Liquidity business (since July 2010); Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser (since December 2007). Formerly, Global Head, Chief Operating Officer and Acting Chief Investment Officer of the Fixed Income Group of the Adviser (April 2008-July 2010); Head of Global Liquidity Portfolio Management and co-head of Liquidity Credit Research of Morgan Stanley Investment Management (December 2007-July 2010) and Vice President of the funds in the Fund Complex (June 2008-July 2010). Previously, Managing Director on the Management Committee and head of Municipal Portfolio Management and Liquidity at BlackRock (October 1991-January 2007).

 
Mary Ann Picciotto (39)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since May 2010

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since May 2010); Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (since April 2007).

 
Stefanie V. Chang Yu (46)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Vice President

 

Since December 1997

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since December 1997).

 
Francis J. Smith (47)
c/o Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Executive Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 2003).

 
Mary E. Mullin (45)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Executive Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 

  *  Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

2012 Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)
For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2012. The Fund designated 99.99% of its income dividends as tax-exempt income dividends. The Fund also designated and paid $12,620 as a long-term capital gain distribution.
In, January the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


39




 

Item 2.  Code of Ethics.

 

(a)                                 The Fund has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Fund or a third party.

 

(b)                                 No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(c)                                  Not applicable.

 

(d)                                 Not applicable.

 

(e)                                  Not applicable.

 

(f)

 

(1)                                 The Fund’s Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit 12 A.

 

(2)                                 Not applicable.

 

(3)                                 Not applicable.

 

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees has determined that Joseph J. Kearns, an “independent” Trustee, is an “audit committee financial expert” serving on its audit committee. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification

 



 

Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)(b)(c)(d) and (g).  Based on fees billed for the periods shown:

 

2012

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

25,110

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

 

(2)

$

 

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

4,446

(3)

$

3,789,467

(4)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

 

$

723,998

 

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

4,446

 

$

4,513,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

29,556

 

$

4,513,465

 

 

2011

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

25,110

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

 

(2)

$

 

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

4,446

(3)

$

89,626

(4)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

 

$

1,133,094

(5)

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

4,446

 

$

1,222,720

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

29,556

 

$

1,222,720

 

 


N/A- Not applicable, as not required by Item 4.

 

(1)         Covered Entities include the Adviser (excluding sub-advisors) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant.

(2)         Audit-Related Fees represent assurance and related services provided that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the Covered Entities’ and funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, specifically data verification and agreed-upon procedures related to asset securitizations and agreed-upon procedures engagements.

(3)         Tax Fees represent tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice services provided in connection with the preparation and review of the Registrant’s tax returns.

(4)         Tax Fees represent tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice services provided in connection with the review of Covered Entities’ tax returns.

(5)         All other fees represent project management for future business applications and improving business and operational processes.

 



 

(e)(1) The audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures are as follows:

 

APPENDIX A

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES

PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

OF THE

MORGAN STANLEY RETAIL AND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

 

AS ADOPTED AND AMENDED JULY 23, 2004,(1)

 

1.              Statement of Principles

 

The Audit Committee of the Board is required to review and, in its sole discretion, pre-approve all Covered Services to be provided by the Independent Auditors to the Fund and Covered Entities in order to assure that services performed by the Independent Auditors do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Fund.

 

The SEC has issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client, as well as the audit committee’s administration of the engagement of the independent auditor.  The SEC’s rules establish two different approaches to pre-approving services, which the SEC considers to be equally valid.  Proposed services either: may be pre-approved without consideration of specific case-by-case services by the Audit Committee (“general pre-approval”); or require the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee or its delegate (“specific pre-approval”).  The Audit Committee believes that the combination of these two approaches in this Policy will result in an effective and efficient procedure to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors.  As set forth in this Policy, unless a type of service has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval authority has been delegated) if it is to be provided by the Independent Auditors.  Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

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

 


(1)                                 This Audit Committee Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures (the “Policy”), adopted as of the date above, supersedes and replaces all prior versions that may have been adopted from time to time.

 



 

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

 

The Fund’s Independent Auditors have reviewed this Policy and believes that implementation of the Policy will not adversely affect the Independent Auditors’ independence.

 

2.              Delegation

 

As provided in the Act and the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members.  The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

3.              Audit Services

 

The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee.  Audit services include the annual financial statement audit and other procedures required to be performed by the Independent Auditors to be able to form an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements.  These other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews and testing performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems of internal control, and consultations relating to the audit.  The Audit Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Fund structure or other items.

 

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

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit services in Appendix B.1.  All other Audit services not listed in Appendix B.1 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

4.              Audit-related Services

 

Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund’s financial statements and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities or that are traditionally performed by the Independent Auditors.  Because the Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor and is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to Audit-related services.  Audit-related services include, among others, accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters

 



 

not classified as “Audit services”; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Forms N-SAR and/or N-CSR.

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit-related services in Appendix B.2.  All other Audit-related services not listed in Appendix B.2 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

5.              Tax Services

 

The Audit Committee believes that the Independent Auditors can provide Tax services to the Fund and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities, such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence, and the SEC has stated that the Independent Auditors may provide such services.

 

Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the Tax Services in Appendix B.3.  All Tax services in Appendix B.3 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

6.              All Other Services

 

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

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the All Other services in Appendix B.4.  Permissible All Other services not listed in Appendix B.4 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

7.              Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts

 

Pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the Independent Auditors will be established annually by the Audit Committee.  Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee is mindful of the overall relationship of fees for audit and non-audit services in determining whether to pre-approve any such services.

 

8.              Procedures

 

All requests or applications for services to be provided by the Independent Auditors that do not require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be

 



 

rendered.  The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the Independent Auditors.  Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the Independent Auditors and the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

The Audit Committee has designated the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer to monitor the performance of all services provided by the Independent Auditors and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this Policy.  The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of its monitoring.  Both the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and management will immediately report to the chairman of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to the attention of the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer or any member of management.

 

9.              Additional Requirements

 

The Audit Committee has determined to take additional measures on an annual basis to meet its responsibility to oversee the work of the Independent Auditors and to assure the auditor’s independence from the Fund, such as reviewing a formal written statement from the Independent Auditors delineating all relationships between the Independent Auditors and the Fund, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the Independent Auditors its methods and procedures for ensuring independence.

 

10.       Covered Entities

 

Covered Entities include the Fund’s investment adviser(s) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Fund’s investment adviser(s) that provides ongoing services to the Fund(s).  Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the Fund’s audit committee must pre-approve non-audit services provided not only to the Fund but also to the Covered Entities if the engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund.  This list of Covered Entities would include:

 

Morgan Stanley Retail Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley DW Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Trust FSB

 



 

Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP

Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners LP

 

(e)(2)  Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the audit committee also is required to pre-approve services to Covered Entities to the extent that the services are determined to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Registrant. 100% of such services were pre-approved by the audit committee pursuant to the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures (attached hereto).

 

(f)     Not applicable.

 

(g)    See table above.

 

(h)    The audit committee of the Board of Trustees has considered whether the provision of services other than audit services performed by the auditors to the Registrant and Covered Entities is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence in performing audit services.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

(a)         The Fund has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act whose members are:

Joseph Kearns, Michael Nugent and Allen Reed.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

 

(a) Refer to Item 1.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 



 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

(a)  The Fund’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, based upon such officers’ evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report.

 

(b)  There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits

 

(a) The Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers is attached hereto.

 

(b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant are attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT.

 



 

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.

 

Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

 

 

 

/s/ Kevin Klingert

 

Kevin Klingert

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

February 19, 2013

 

 

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

 

/s/ Kevin Klingert

 

Kevin Klingert

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

February 19, 2013

 

 

 

/s/ Francis Smith

 

Francis Smith

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

February 19, 2013