N-CSR 1 form.htm ANNUAL REPORT form
  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 811-4429    
       
  Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
  (Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)
       
  c/o The Dreyfus Corporation    
  200 Park Avenue    
  New York, New York 10166    
  (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)
       
  Mark N. Jacobs, Esq.    
  200 Park Avenue    
  New York, New York 10166    
  (Name and address of agent for service)
       
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (212) 922-6000
       
Date of fiscal year end: 12/31    
       
Date of reporting period: 12/31/03    

P:\Word Processing\NCSR Documents for Filings\073\form-ncsr-073.doc-037


FORM N-CSR

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

Dreyfus
U.S. Treasury
Long Term Fund


The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio
manager only through the end of the period covered and do not
necessarily represent the views of Dreyfus or any other person in
the Dreyfus organization. Any such views are subject to change at
any time based upon market or other conditions and Dreyfus dis-
claims any responsibility to update such views.These views may not
be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions
for a Dreyfus fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied
on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Dreyfus fund.
 
 
   Not FDIC-Insured • Not Bank-Guaranteed • May Lose Value

Contents

T H E F U N D

2
  
Letter from the Chairman
3
  
Discussion of Fund Performance
6
  
Fund Performance
7
  
Statement of Investments
9
  
Statement of Financial Futures
10
  
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
11
  
Statement of Operations
12
  
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
13
  
Financial Highlights
14
  
Notes to Financial Statements
20
  
Report of Independent Auditors
21
  
Important Tax Information
22
  
Board Members Information
24
  
Officers of the Fund

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N

Back Cover


Dreyfus U.S. Treasury
   Long Term Fund
The Fund

L E T T E R F R O M T H E C H A I R M A N

Dear Shareholder:

This annual report for Dreyfus U.S.Treasury Long Term Fund covers the 12-month period from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003. Inside, you’ll find valuable information about how the fund was managed during the reporting period, including a discussion with the fund’s portfolio manager, Gerald E.Thunelius.

The bond market produced mixed results in 2003 as investor sentiment apparently shifted from pessimism at the start of the year toward a more optimistic outlook by year-end. As the U.S. economy gathered momentum, the more interest-rate-sensitive areas of the bond market began to retreat, and U.S. government securities finished the year with modestly positive total returns. On the other hand, the bond market’s more credit-sensitive areas generally benefited from the stronger economy, producing more robust gains for corporate bonds.

While recent economic developments suggest to us that interest rates are more likely to rise in 2004 than to fall further, we continue to believe that bonds deserve a prominent place in most investors’ portfolios. As always, we urge you to speak regularly with your financial advisor, who may be in the best position to suggest the Dreyfus funds designed to meet your current needs, future goals and tolerance for risk.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

Sincerely,

Stephen E. Canter
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The Dreyfus Corporation
January 15, 2004

2


D I S C U S S I O N O F F U N D P E R F O R M A N C E

Gerald E. Thunelius, Senior Portfolio Manager

How did Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund perform relative to its benchmark?

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2003, the fund achieved a total return of 4.47%.1 In comparison, the fund’s benchmark, the Merrill Lynch Governments, U.S. Treasury, Long-Term (10 Years and Over) Index, achieved a total return of 2.48% for the same period.2

We attribute the fund’s performance to declining interest rates during the first half of the reporting period and heightened market volatility during the second half of the reporting period as the U.S. economy gained strength.The fund produced a higher total return than that of its benchmark primarily because of its sector allocation and security selection strategies produced favorable results in the volatile market environment.

What is the fund’s investment approach?

The fund seeks to maximize total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income. As a U.S.Treasury securities fund, the fund invests in U.S.Treasury bills, notes, bonds and other securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities.The fund may also invest in options and futures and enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers that are backed by U.S.Treasuries.

Since U.S.Treasury bills, notes and bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, they are generally considered among the highest-quality investments available. By investing in these obligations, the fund seeks to maintain a high degree of credit safety. Of course, the market value of the fund’s securities and the value of fund shares are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government.The fund generally maintains a dollar-weighted average maturity that exceeds 10 years, which can result in significant risk of principal decline, if interest rates rise sharply.

T h e F u n d 3


D I S C U S S I O N O F F U N D P E R F O R M A N C E (continued)

What other factors influenced the fund’s performance?

The fund was influenced by changing economic conditions throughout the reporting period. During the first quarter of 2003, the fund benefited from declining interest rates in a persistently weak economy. Despite hopes that the economy would strengthen early in the year, growth remained sluggish as many consumers and businesses refrained from spending in advance of the war in Iraq.As a result, yields of U.S. Treasury securities generally declined, producing attractive levels of capital appreciation.

After it became clear in early April that major combat operations would be over quickly, investors turned their attention back to economic fun-damentals.Although investors’ outlooks improved, bonds generally continued to rally as rising levels of unemployment led many to believe that the Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) would reduce short-term interest rates further.As expected, the Fed lowered rates to 1%, a 45-year low, at its meeting in late June. Anticipation of this move benefited U.S. Treasury securities, helping to drive the fund’s performance at that time.

In July, however, new signs of a stronger economy rekindled inflation concerns among many investors, and bonds suffered one of the worst six-week declines in their history.Although the bond market remained volatile, long-term securities recovered much of their lost value in the second half of the year as the Fed reiterated its commitment to keeping interest rates low, and it became clearer that the economic recovery was likely to be more moderate than investors had feared.

During the first half of the reporting period, the fund benefited from its overweight position in Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS), which we believed were selling at attractive prices in the prevailing low-inflation environment. At the time, we positioned the fund’s holdings of nominal U.S. Treasury securities to benefit from widening differences among yields of various maturities, a strategy that produced good results.

4


The fund held relatively few debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies during 2003.We generally avoided these investments because of the potential risks associated with the accounting and management irregularities uncovered at the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. However, these developments proved to have little effect on prices of U.S. government agency securities, and the fund’s light exposure to the sector neither contributed to nor detracted significantly from its performance.

During the summer and fall, we reduced the fund’s holdings of TIPS, locking in profits after their prices had advanced. At the same time, we repositioned the fund’s holdings of nominal Treasuries in anticipation of narrower differences in yields along the maturity spectrum. We also reduced the fund’s average duration, a measure of sensitivity to changing interest rates.This more defensive positioning helped the fund to partially withstand the brunt of heightened market volatility late in the year.

What is the fund’s current strategy?

As of year-end, we have continued to maintain the relatively defensive posture that we established during the summer and fall.We believe that this remains a prudent strategy while investors continue to adjust to a stronger economy.

January 15, 2004

1
  
Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price, yield and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Return figures provided reflect the absorption of fund expenses by The Dreyfus Corporation pursuant to an undertaking in effect that may be extended, terminated or modified at any time. Had these expenses not been absorbed, the fund’s return would have been lower.
2
  
SOURCE: LIPPER INC. — Reflects reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions.The Merrill Lynch Governments, U.S.Treasury, Long-Term (10Years and Over) Index is an unmanaged performance benchmark for Treasury securities with maturities of 10 years and over; issues in the Index must have par amounts outstanding greater than or equal to $1 billion.

T h e F u n d

5


F U N D P E R F O R M A N C E

Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/03

  1 Year   5 Years   10 Years  


 
 
 
Fund 4.47%   5.24%   6.21%  

 Source: Lipper Inc.

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.The fund’s performance shown in the graph and table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in Dreyfus U.S.Treasury Long Term Fund on 12/31/93 to a $10,000 investment made in the Merrill Lynch Governments, U.S.Treasury, Long-Term (10Years and Over) Index (the “Index”) on that date.All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.
The fund’s performance shown in the line graph takes into account fees and expenses.The Index is an unmanaged performance benchmark for Treasury securities with maturities of 10 years and over; issues in the Index must have par amounts outstanding greater than or equal to $1 billion.The Index does not take into account charges, fees and other expenses. Further information relating to fund performance, including expense reimbursements, if applicable, is contained in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus and elsewhere in this report.

6


S TAT E M E N T O F I N V E S T M E N T S

D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 0 3

    Principal      
Bonds and Notes—104.8% Amount ($) Value ($)  



 
U.S. Government Agencies—21.7%        
Federal Home Loan Banks,        
Bonds, 1.625%, 6/15/2005 21,715,000   21,727,226  
U.S. Treasury Bonds—39.9%        
5.375%, 2/15/2031 9,629,000   10,044,588  
5.5%, 8/15/2028 4,115,000 a 4,287,460  
6.125%, 11/15/2027 3,500,000 a 3,947,055  
7.25%, 8/15/2022 3,500,000   4,418,330  
9.125%, 5/15/2018 5,900,000   8,558,894  
11.25%, 2/15/2015 5,500,000 a 8,804,730  
        40,061,057  
U.S. Treasury Inflation Protection Securities—3.8%        
Coupon Strips:        
0%, 10/15/2028 300,000 b,c 309,694  
0%, 4/15/2029 300,000 b,c 309,931  
Principal Strips,        
0%, 4/15/2029 5,000,000 b 3,157,915  
        3,777,540  
U.S. Treasury Notes—39.4%        
3.25%, 5/31/2004 4,066,000 d 4,104,586  
4.25%, 11/15/2013 32,383,000 a 32,357,417  
7.5%, 2/15/2005 2,874,000   3,073,254  
        39,535,257  
Total Bonds and Notes        
   (cost $ 104,066,310)     105,101,080  





 
           
Other Investments—.8% Shares   Value ($)  




 
Registered Investment Companies:        
Dreyfus Institutional Cash Advantage Fund 268,000 e 268,000  
Dreyfus Institutional Cash Advantage Plus Fund 268,000 e 268,000  
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Plus Money Market Fund 268,000 e 268,000  
Total Other Investments        
   (cost $ 804,000)     804,000  

T h e F u n d 7


S T A T E M E N T O F I N V E S T M E N T S (continued)

Investment of Cash Collateral        
for Securities Loaned—23.1% Shares   Value ($)  


 
 
Registered Investment Company;        
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Money Market Fund        
   (cost $ 23,189,366)   23,189,366 e   23,189,366  




 
 
             
Total Investments (cost $ 128,059,676) 128.7%   129,094,446  
Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables (28.7%)   (28,768,946)  
Net Assets   100.0%   100,325,500  

a All or a portion of these securities are on loan.At December 31, 2003, the total market value of the fund’s securities on loan is $28,978,341 and the total market value of the collateral held by the fund is $30,043,616, consisting of cash collateral of $23,189,366 and letters of credit valued at $6,854,250.

b
  
Principal amount for accrual purposes is periodically adjusted based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
c
  
Notional face amount shown.
d
  
Partially held by a broker as collateral for open financial futures position.
e
  
Investments in affiliated money market mutual funds—See Note 3(d).

See notes to financial statements.

8


S TAT E M E N T O F F I N A N C I A L F U T U R E S

D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 0 3

      Market Value   Unrealized  
      Covered by   (Depreciation)  
  Contracts   Contracts ($) Expiration at 12/31/2003 ($)  


 


 
Financial Futures Short            
90 Day Euro 373   91,613,463 September 2004 (46,390)  
U.S. Treasury 2 Year Notes 67   14,341,141 March 2004 (17,192)  
          (63,582)  
             
See notes to financial statements.            

T h e F u n d 9


S TAT E M E N T O F A S S E T S A N D L I A B I L I T I E S

D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 0 3        









 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
              Cost Value  









 
Assets ($):                
Investments in securities—        
See Statement of Investments (including securities      
on loan valued at $28,978,341)—Note 1(b) 128,059,676 129,094,446  
Interest receivable         1,035,362  
Receivable for shares of Beneficial Interest subscribed   18,789  
Receivable for futures variation margin—Note 4   14,634  
Prepaid expenses         15,709  
                130,178,940  









 
Liabilities ($):              
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates   40,961  
Cash overdraft due to Custodian     59,107  
Liability for securities on loan—Note 1(b)   23,189,366  
Payable for investment securities purchased   6,396,860  
Payable for shares of Beneficial Interest redeemed   115,945  
Accrued expenses         51,201  
                29,853,440  









 
Net Assets ( $)         100,325,500  







 
Composition of Net Assets ( $):      
Paid-in capital             106,842,818  
Accumulated undistributed investment income—net   39,597  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments   (7,528,103)  
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      
on investments [including ($63,582) net unrealized      
(depreciation) on financial futures]   971,188  



 
Net Assets ( $)         100,325,500  







 
Shares Outstanding            
(unlimited number of $.001 par value shares of Beneficial Interest authorized) 6,177,005  
Net Asset Value,     offering and redemption price per share ($)   16.24  
                   
See notes to financial statements.        

10


S TAT E M E N T O F O P E R AT I O N S
Ye a r E n d e d D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 0 3
Investment Income ($):    
Income:    
Interest 3,189,379  
Cash dividends 80,740  
Income from securities lending 21,883  
Total Income 3,292,002  
Expenses:    
Management fee—Note 3(a) 611,802  
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(b) 209,231  
Professional fees 50,929  
Prospectus and shareholders’ reports 27,841  
Registration fees 24,471  
Trustees’ fees and expenses—Note 3(c) 19,670  
Custodian fees—Note 3(b) 14,333  
Loan commitment fees—Note 2 1,100  
Miscellaneous 2,289  
Total Expenses 961,666  
Less—reduction in management fee due to    
   undertaking—Note 3(a) (145,931)  
Net Expenses 815,735  
Investment Income—Net 2,476,267  


 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):    
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 5,400,263  
Net realized gain (loss) on options transactions (61,879)  
Net realized gain (loss) on financial futures (1,109,873)  
Net Realized Gain (Loss) 4,228,511  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments    
   (including $248,137 net unrealized appreciation    
   on financial futures) (2,224,028)  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 2,004,483  
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 4,480,750  
     
See notes to financial statements.    

T h e F u n d 11


S TAT E M E N T O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S

  Year Ended December 31,  
 
 
  2003   2002  


 
 
Operations ($):        
Investment income—net 2,476,267   3,781,884  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 4,228,511   2,433,729  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)        
   on investments (2,224,028)   4,836,483  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets        
   Resulting from Operations 4,480,750   11,052,096  


 
 
Dividends to Shareholders from ($):        
Investment income—net (4,101,146)   (4,789,186)  


 
 
Beneficial Interest Transactions ($):        
Net proceeds from shares sold 32,721,914   42,253,165  
Dividends reinvested 2,815,004   3,228,722  
Cost of shares redeemed (37,373,337)   (58,541,455)  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets        
   from Beneficial Interest Transactions (1,836,419)   (13,059,568)  
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets (1,456,815)   (6,796,658)  


 
 
Net Assets ($):        
Beginning of Period 101,782,315   108,578,973  
End of Period 100,325,500   101,782,315  
Undistributed investment income—net 39,597   111,526  


 
 
Capital Share Transactions (Shares):        
Shares sold 2,003,309   2,700,327  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested 171,424   206,455  
Shares redeemed (2,289,269)   (3,760,751)  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding (114,536)   (853,969)  
         
See notes to financial statements.        

12


F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S

The following table describes the performance for the fiscal periods indicated. Total return shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions.These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.

      Year Ended December 31,      
     
     
  2003   2002   2001a   2000   1999  


 
 
 
 
 
Per Share Data ($):                    
Net asset value, beginning of period 16.18   15.20   15.60   14.01   16.11  
Investment Operations:                    
Investment income—net .40b   .56b   .68b   .82   .82  
Net realized and unrealized                    
   gain (loss) on investments .32   1.14   (.29)   1.59   (2.10)  
Total from Investment Operations .72   1.70   .39   2.41   (1.28)  
Distributions:                    
Dividends from investment income—net (.66)   (.72)   (.79)   (.82)   (.82)  
Net asset value, end of period 16.24   16.18   15.20   15.60   14.01  


 
 
 
 
 
Total Return (%) 4.47   11.43   2.52   17.74   (8.14)  


 
 
 
 
 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                    
Ratio of expenses to average net assets .80   .80   .80   .80   .80  
Ratio of net investment income                    
   to average net assets 2.43   3.62   4.37   5.64   5.45  
Decrease reflected in above expense                    
   ratios due to undertakings by                    
   The Dreyfus Corporation .14   .13   .04   .20   .22  
Portfolio Turnover Rate 1,618.06   1,219.47   683.08   913.52   495.51  


 
 
 
 
 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 100,326   101,782   108,579   116,595   121,298  

a As required, effective January 1, 2001, the fund has adopted the provisions of the AICPA and Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies and began amortizing discount or premium on fixed income securities on a scientific basis and including paydown gains and losses in interest income.The effect of these changes for the period ended December 31, 2001 was to decrease net investment income per share by $.10, increase net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share by $.10 and decrease the ratio of net investment income to average net assets from 5.08% to 4.37%. Per share data and ratios/supplement data for periods prior to January 1, 2001 have not been restated to reflect these changes in presentation.

b Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. See notes to financial statements.

T h e F u n d 13


N O T E S T O F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund (the “fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified open-end management investment company. Prior to January 20, 2003, the fund’s investment objective was to provide investors with as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. On January 20, 2003, the fund’s investment objective will be to seek to maximize total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income. The Dreyfus Corporation (the “Manager”) serves as the fund’s investment adviser.The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank, N.A. (“Mellon”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Financial Corporation. Dreyfus Service Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, is the distributor of the fund’s shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge.

The fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions.Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(a) Portfolio valuation: Investments in securities (excluding short-term investments (other than U.S.Treasury Bills), financial futures and options) are valued each business day by an independent pricing service (the “Service”) approved by the Board of Trustees. Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market in the judgment of the Service are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such securities). Other investments (which constitute a majority of the portfolio securities) are carried at fair value as determined by the Service, based on methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. Short-term investments, excluding U.S. Treasury Bills, are carried at amortized cost,

14


which approximates value. Financial futures and options, which are traded on an exchange, are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded or at the last sales price on the national securities market on each business day. Options traded over-the-counter are priced at the mean between the bid prices and asked prices.

(b) Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gain and loss from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Interest income, including, where applicable, amortization of discount and premium on investments, is recognized on the accrual basis. Under the terms of the custody agreement, the fund receives net earnings credits based on available cash balances left on deposit.

The fund may lend securities to qualified institutions. At origination, all loans are secured by collateral of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned and 105% of the value of foreign securities loaned. Collateral equivalent to at least 100% of the market value of securities on loan will be maintained at all times. Cash collateral is invested in certain money market mutual funds managed by the Manager as shown in the fund’s Statement of Investments.The fund will be entitled to receive all income on securities loaned, in addition to income earned as a result of the lending transaction. Although each security loaned is fully collateralized, the fund would bear the risk of delay in recovery of, or loss of rights in, the securities loaned should a borrower fail to return the securities in a timely manner.

(c) Dividends to shareholders: It is the policy of the fund to declare dividends daily from investment income-net. Such dividends are paid monthly. Dividends from net realized capital gain, if any, are normally declared and paid annually, but the fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).To the extent that net realized capital gain can be offset by capital loss carryovers, it is the policy of the fund not to distribute such gain. Income

T h e F u n d 15


N O T E S T O F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S (continued)

and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.

(d) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.

At December 31, 2003, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed ordinary income $349,277, accumulated capital losses $5,461,249 and unrealized appreciation $371,873. In addition, the fund had $2,130,435 of capital losses realized after October 31, 2003, which were deferred for tax purposes to the first day of the following fiscal year.

The accumulated capital loss carryover is available to be applied against future net securities profits, if any, realized subsequent to December 31, 2003. If not applied, $4,962,645 of the carryover expires in fiscal 2007, and $498,604 expires in fiscal 2010.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, were as follows: ordinary income $4,101,146 and $4,789,186, respectively.

During the period ended December 31, 2003, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, the fund increased accumulated undistributed investment income-net by $1,552,950, decreased accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments by $1,387,877 and decreased paid-in capital by $165,073. Net assets were not affected by this reclassification

NOTE 2—Bank Line of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $350 million redemption credit facility (the “Facility”) to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions. In connection therewith, the fund has agreed to pay commitment fees

16


on its pro rata portion of the Facility. Interest is charged to the fund at rates based on prevailing market rates in effect at the time of borrowing. During the period ended December 31, 2003, the fund did not borrow under the Facility.

NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions With Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with the Manager, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .60 of 1% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly.The Manager had undertaken from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003 to reduce the management fee paid by the fund, to the extent that, if the fund’s aggregate annual expenses, exclusive of taxes, brokerage fees, interest on borrowings, commitment fees and extraordinary expenses, exceed an annual rate of .80 of 1% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets.The reduction in management fee, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $145,931 during the period ended December 31, 2003.

(b) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the fund reimburses the Distributor, an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets for certain allocated expenses of providing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder accounts.The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the period ended December 31, 2003, the fund was charged $103,869 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

The fund compensates Dreyfus Transfer,Inc.,a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, under a transfer agency agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the fund. During the period ended December 31, 2003, the fund was charged $64,458 pursuant to the transfer agency agreement.

T h e F u n d 17


N O T E S T O F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S (continued)

The fund compensates Mellon under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. During the period ended December 31, 2003, the fund was charged $14,333 pursuant to the custody agreement.

(c) Each Board member also serves as a Board member of other funds within the Dreyfus complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.

(d) Pursuant to an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund may invest its available cash balances in affiliated money market mutual funds as shown in the portfolio’s Statement of Investments. Management fees are not charged to these accounts. During the period ended December 31, 2003, the fund derived $80,740 in income from these investments, which is included in dividend income in the fund’s Statement of Operations.

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, financial futures and options, during the period ended December 31, 2003 amounted to $1,569,552,206 and $1,566,184,889, respectively.

The fund may purchase and write (sell) call/put options in order to gain exposure to or protect against changes in the market.

As a writer of call options, the fund receives a premium at the outset and then bears the market risk of unfavorable changes in the price of the financial instruments underlying the options. Generally, the fund would incur a gain, to the extent of the premium, if the price of the underlying financial instrument decreases between the date the option is written and the date on which the option is terminated. Generally, the fund would realize a loss, if the price of the financial instrument increases between those dates. At December 31, 2003, there were no written call options outstanding.

As writer of put options, the fund receives a premium at the outset and then bears the market risk of unfavorable changes in the price of the financial instruments underlying the options. Generally, the fund

18


would incur a gain, to the extent of the premium, if the price of the underlying financial instrument increases between the date the option is written and the date on which the option is terminated. Generally, the fund would realize a loss, if the price of the financial instrument decreases between those dates. At December 31, 2003, there were no written put options outstanding.

The fund may invest in financial futures contracts in order to gain exposure to or protect against changes in the market. The fund is exposed to market risk as a result of changes in the value of the underlying financial instruments. Investments in financial futures require the fund to “mark to market” on a daily basis, which reflects the change in the market value of the contracts at the close of each day’s trading. Typically, variation margin payments are received or made to reflect daily unrealized gains or losses.When the contracts are closed, the fund recognizes a realized gain or loss.These investments require initial margin deposits with a broker, which consist of cash or cash equivalents, up to approximately 10% of the contract amount. The amount of these deposits is determined by the exchange or Board of Trade on which the contract is traded and is subject to change. Contracts open at December 31, 2003, are set forth in the Statement of Financial Futures.

At December 31, 2003, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $128,722,573; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $371,873, consisting of $1,019,444 gross unrealized appreciation and $647,571 gross unrealized depreciation.

T h e F u n d 19


R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T A U D I T O R S

Shareholders and Board of Trustees Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund, including the statements of investments and financial futures as of December 31, 2003, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and financial highlights for each of the years indicated therein. 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.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included verification by examination of securities held by the custodian as of December 31, 2003 and confirmation of securities not held by the custodian by correspondence with others.An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.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 Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund at December 31, 2003, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the indicated years, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

New York, New York
February 2, 2004

20


I M P O R TA N T TA X I N F O R M AT I O N ( U n a u d i t e d )

For State individual income tax purposes, the fund hereby designates 84.83% of the ordinary income dividends paid during its fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 as attributable to interest income from direct obligations of the United States. Such dividends are currently exempt from taxation for individual income tax purposes in most states, including New York, California and the District of Columbia.

T h e F u n d 21


B O A R D M E M B E R S I N F O R M AT I O N ( U n a u d i t e d )

Joseph S. DiMartino (60)  
Chairman of the Board (1995)  
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:  
• Corporate Director and Trustee  
Other Board Memberships and Affiliations:  
• The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Director  
• Levcor International, Inc., an apparel fabric processor, Director  
• Century Business Services, Inc., a provider of outsourcing functions for small and medium size  
   companies, Director  
• The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard  
   mills and paperboard converting plants, Director  
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 186  
      ———————  
Gordon J. Davis (62)  
Board Member (1993)  
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:  
• Partner of the law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, LLP  
• President, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. (2001)  
Other Board Memberships and Affiliations:  
• Consolidated Edison, Inc., a utility company, Director  
• Phoenix Companies Inc., a life insurance company, Director  
• Board Member/Trustee for several not-for-profit groups  
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 25  
      ———————  
David P. Feldman (64)  
Board Member (1985)  
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:  
• Corporate Director and Trustee  
Other Board Memberships and Affiliations:  
• BBH Mutual Funds Group (11 funds), Director  
• The Jeffrey Company, a private investment company, Director  
• QMED, a medical device company, Director  
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 51  
      ———————  
Lynn Martin (64)  
Board Member (1993)  
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:  
• Advisor to the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, LLP and Chair to its  
   Council for the Advancement of Women  
Other Board Memberships and Affiliations:  
• SBC Communications, Inc., Director  
• Ryder System, Inc., a supply chain and transportation management company, Director  
• The Proctor & Gamble Co., a consumer products company, Director  
• Constellation Energy Group, Director  
• Member of the Council of Foreign Relations  
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 10  
22  

Daniel Rose (74)
Board Member (1992)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
• Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rose Associates, Inc., a New York based real estate
   development and management firm
Other Board Memberships and Affiliations:
• Baltic-American Enterprise Fund,Vice Chairman and Director
• Harlem Educational Activities Fund, Inc., Chairman
• Housing Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., Director
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 21
      ———————
Philip L.Toia (70)
Board Member (1997)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
• Retired
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 10
      ———————
Sander Vanocur (75)
Board Member (1992)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
• President of Old Owl Communications
No.of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 21
      ———————
Anne Wexler (73)
Board Member (1994)
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:
• Chairman of the Wexler Group, consultants specializing in government relations and public affairs
Other Board Memberships and Affiliations:
• Wilshire Mutual Funds (5 funds), Director
• Methanex Corporation, a methanol producing company, Director
• Member of the Council of Foreign Relations
• Member of the National Park Foundation
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 29
      ———————
Once elected all Board Members serve for an indefinite term.Additional information about the Board Members, including
their address is available in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information which can be obtained from Dreyfus free of
charge by calling this toll free number: 1-800-554-4611.
 
Eugene McCarthy, Emeritus Board Member

T h e F u n d 23


O F F I C E R S O F T H E F U N D ( U n a u d i t e d )

STEPHEN E. CANTER, President since
March 2000.
   Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
   Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the
   Manager, and an officer of 95 investment
   companies (comprised of 185 portfolios)
   managed by the Manager. Mr. Canter also is a
   Board member and, where applicable, an
   Executive Committee Member of the other
   investment management subsidiaries of Mellon
   Financial Corporation, each of which is an
   affiliate of the Manager. He is 58 years old and
   has been an employee of the Manager since
   May 1995.
STEPHEN R. BYERS, Executive Vice
President since November 2002.
   Chief Investment Officer,Vice Chairman and a
   Director of the Manager, and an officer of 95
   investment companies (comprised of 185
   portfolios) managed by the Manager. Mr. Byers
   also is an officer, director or an Executive
   Committee Member of certain other
   investment management subsidiaries of Mellon
   Financial Corporation, each of which is an
   affiliate of the Manager. He is 50 years old and
   has been an employee of the Manager since
   January 2000. Prior to joining the Manager, he
   served as an Executive Vice President-Capital
   Markets, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
   at Gruntal & Co., L.L.C.
CHARLES CARDONA, Executive Vice
President since November 2001.
   Vice Chairman and a Director of the Manager,
   Executive Vice President of the Distributor,
   President of Dreyfus Institutional Services
   Division, and an officer of 12 investment
   companies (comprised of 16 portfolios)
   managed by the Manager. He is 48 years old
   and has been an employee of the Manager
   since February 1981.
MARK N. JACOBS, Vice President since
March 2000.
   Executive Vice President, Secretary and
   General Counsel of the Manager, and an
   officer of 96 investment companies (comprised
   of 201 portfolios) managed by the Manager.
   He is 57 years old and has been an employee
   of the Manager since June 1977.
MICHAEL A. ROSENBERG, Secretary since
March 2000.
   Associate General Counsel of the Manager,
   and an officer of 93 investment companies
   (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the
   Manager. He is 43 years old and has been an
   employee of the Manager since October 1991.
STEVEN F. NEWMAN, Assistant Secretary
since March 2000.
   Associate General Counsel and Assistant
   Secretary of the Manager, and an officer of 96
   investment companies (comprised of 201
   portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 54
   years old and has been an employee of the
   Manager since July 1980.
JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since
November 2001.
   Director – Mutual Fund Accounting of the
   Manager, and an officer of 96 investment
   companies (comprised of 201 portfolios)
   managed by the Manager. He is 45 years old
   and has been an employee of the Manager
   since April 1985.

24


ERIK D. NAVILOFF, Assistant Treasurer
since December 2002.
   Senior Accounting Manager – Taxable Fixed
   Income Funds of the Manager, and an officer
   of 18 investment companies (comprised of 73
   portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 35
   years old and has been an employee of the
   Manager since November 1992.
KENNETH J. SANDGREN, Assistant
Treasurer since November 2001.
   Mutual Funds Tax Director of the Manager,
   and an officer of 96 investment companies
   (comprised of 201 portfolios) managed by the
   Manager. He is 49 years old and has been an
   employee of the Manager since June 1993.
WILLIAM GERMENIS, Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer since
October 2002.
   Vice President and Anti-Money Laundering
   Compliance Officer of the Distributor, and the
   Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer
   of 91 investment companies (comprised of 196
   portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 33
   years old and has been an employee of the
   Distributor since October 1998. Prior to
   joining the Distributor, he was a Vice President
   of Compliance Data Center, Inc.

T h e F u n d 25


For More Information

Dreyfus U.S. Treasury
Long Term Fund
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
 
Manager
The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

 
Custodian
Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15258
 
Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
 
Distributor
Dreyfus Service Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

To obtain information:

By telephone

Call 1-800-645-6561

By mail Write to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144

By E-mail Send your request to info@dreyfus.com

On the Internet Information can be viewed online or downloaded from: http://www.dreyfus.com

A description of the policies and procedures that the fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, by calling the telephone number listed above, or by visiting the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov

© 2004 Dreyfus Service Corporation

073AR1203


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

     The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

     The Registrant's Board has determined that David Feldman, a member of the Audit Committee of the Board, is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Mr. Feldman is "independent" as defined by the SEC for purposes of audit committee financial expert determinations.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

     (a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years (the "Reporting Periods") for professional services rendered by the Registrant's principal accountant (the "Auditor") for the audit of the Registrant's annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $20,300 in 2002 and $21,300 in 2003.

(b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4 were $4,500 in 2002 and $4,500 in 2003. These services consisted of security counts required by Rule 17f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-investment adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant ("Service Affiliates"), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the Service Affiliate, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $15,000 in 2002 and $28,500 in 2003.

Note: For the second paragraph in each of (b) through (d) of this Item 4, certain of such services were not pre-approved prior to May 6, 2003, when such services were required to be pre-approved. On or after May 2003, 100% of all services provided by the Auditor were pre-approved as required. For comparative purposes, the fees shown assume that all such services were pre-approved, including services that were not pre-approved prior to the compliance date of the pre-approval requirement.

(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning ("Tax Services") were $6,845 in 2002 and $4,072 in 2003. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various

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financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held, and (iv) determination of Passive Foreign Investment Companies.

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Tax Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates which required pre-approval b0y the Audit Committee were $0 in 2002 and $0 in 2003.

(d) All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item, were $0 in 2002 and $600 in 2003. These services consisted of a review of the Registrant's anti-money laundering program.

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Non-Audit Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates, other than the services reported in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Item, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $0 in 2002 and $0 in 2003.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Registrant's Audit Committee has established policies and procedures (the "Policy") for pre-approval (within specified fee limits) of the Auditor's engagements for non-audit services to the Registrant and Service Affiliates without specific case-by-case consideration. Pre-approval considerations include whether the proposed services are compatible with maintaining the Auditor's independence. Pre-approvals pursuant to the Policy are considered annually.

Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to the Registrant, and rendered to Service Affiliates, for the Reporting Periods were $471,337 in 2002 and $521,764 in 2003.

Auditor Independence. The Registrant's Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval) is compatible with maintaining the Auditor's independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. [Reserved]

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

Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 8. [Reserved]

Item 9. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The Registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that it files or submits on Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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(b) There were no changes to the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant's most recently ended fiscal half-year that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 10. Exhibits.

(a)(1) Code of ethics referred to in Item 2.

(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(b) Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

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.

Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
   
By: /s/ Stephen E. Canter
 
  Stephen E. Canter
  President
   
Date: February 25, 2004

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

By: /s/Stephen E. Canter
 
  Stephen E. Canter
  Chief Executive Officer
   
Date: February 25, 2004
   
By: /s/ James Windels
 
  James Windels
  Chief Financial Officer
   
Date: February 25, 2004

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EXHIBIT INDEX

(a)(1) Code of ethics referred to in Item 2.

(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (EX-99.CERT)

(b) Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (EX-99.906CERT)

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