485BPOS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 12, 2012

1933 Act File No. 33-12947
1940 Act File No. 811-05079

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 þ
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. o
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 38

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 þ
AMENDMENT NO. 39
(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)

JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES FUND

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)

601 CONGRESS STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02210-2805
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)

REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE
(617) 663-2999

THOMAS M. KINZLER, ESQ.
601 CONGRESS STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02210-2805
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO:

MARK P. GOSHKO, ESQ.
K & L GATES LLP
ONE LINCOLN STREET
BOSTON, MA 02111-2950

APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

þ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
o on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
o 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
o on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
o 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
o on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

If appropriate, check the following box:

o this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT

EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT

EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT

EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 12th day of October, 2012.

JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES FUND
By:	/s/ Hugh McHaffie Hugh McHaffie
	President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Hugh McHaffie Hugh McHaffie	Trustee	October 12, 2012
/s/ Charles A. Rizzo Charles A. Rizzo	Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)	October 12, 2012
/s/ William H. Cunningham* William H. Cunningham	Trustee	October 12, 2012
/s/ Deborah C. Jackson* Deborah C. Jackson	Trustee	October 12, 2012
/s/ John A. Moore* John A. Moore	Trustee	October 12, 2012
/s/ Steven R. Pruchansky* Steven R. Pruchansky	Trustee	October 12, 2012
/s/ Gregory A. Russo* Gregory A. Russo	Trustee	October 12, 2012
/s/ John G. Vrysen* John G. Vrysen	Trustee	October 12, 2012
*By: Power of Attorney

By:	/s/ Nicholas J. Kolokithas Nicholas J. Kolokithas	October 12, 2012
	Attorney-in-Fact

* Pursuant to Power of Attorney filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on September 26, 2012

Exhibit Index

EX-101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
EX-101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
EX-101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
EX-101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
EX-101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
EX-101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

-1-

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES FUND

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 01, 2012

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
MASSACHUSETTS TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek a high level of current income, consistent with preservation of capital, that is exempt from federal and Massachusetts personal income taxes.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 15 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 57 to 60 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

September 30, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 11% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

11.00%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 15 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 57 to 60 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

100,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment in the fund for the time periods indicated (Kept column) and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods (Sold column). The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption

Sold

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption

Kept

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus amounts borrowed for investment purposes, in securities of any maturity exempt from federal and Massachusetts personal income taxes. Most of these securities have credit ratings of A or higher by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) when purchased, but the fund may invest up to 33% of its net assets in securities rated as low as BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s or their unrated equivalents. Bonds that are rated at or below BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s are considered junk bonds.

The fund may buy bonds of any maturity. If a bond’s credit rating falls, the fund does not have to sell it unless the subadviser determines a sale is in the fund’s best interest. The fund may engage in derivative transactions that include futures contracts on debt securities and debt securities indexes; options on futures, debt securities and debt indexes; and inverse floating rate securities, in each case, for the purposes of reducing risk and/or enhancing investment returns.

The subadviser looks for bonds that are undervalued, based on both broad and security-specific factors, such as issuer creditworthiness, bond structure, general credit trends and the relative attractiveness of different types of issuers. The subadviser uses detailed analysis of an appropriate index to model portfolio performance and composition, then blends the macro assessment with security analysis in a comprehensive and disciplined fashion. The fund does not intend to use frequent trading as part of its strategy.

In general, the subadviser favors bonds backed by revenue from a specific public project or facility, such as a power plant (revenue bonds), as they tend to offer higher yields than general obligation bonds. The subadviser also favors bonds that have limitations on being paid off early (call protection), as this can help minimize the effect that falling interest rates may have on the fund’s yield. To the extent that the fund invests in bonds that are subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), the income paid by the fund may not be entirely tax free to all investors. Investments in bonds subject to the AMT will not be counted towards the fund’s 80% investment policy.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund’s main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Changing distribution levels risk The distribution amounts paid by the fund generally depend on the amount of income and/or dividends paid by the fund’s investments.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Inverse floating rate securities Liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, issuer risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving inverse floating rate securities.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Municipal bond risk Municipal bond prices can decline due to fiscal mismanagement or tax shortfalls. Revenue bond prices can decline if related projects become unprofitable.

The fund may hold bonds that are insured as to principal and interest payments. Because the value of an insured municipal bond depends in part on the claims-paying ability of the insurer, the fund would be subject to the risk that the insurer may be unable to pay claims filed pursuant to the coverage. The fund may hold several investments covered by one insurer, which would increase the fund’s exposure to the claims-paying ability of that insurer. In addition, insurance does not guarantee the market value of the insured obligation.

Sector investing risk Because the fund may focus on a single sector of the economy, its performance depends in large part on the performance of that sector. As a result, the value of your investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across sectors.

State-specific risk Because the fund invests mainly in bonds from a single state, its performance is affected by local, state and regional factors. These factors may include economic or political changes, tax base erosion, state constitutional limits on tax increases, budget deficits and other financial difficulties, and changes in the credit ratings assigned to the state’s municipal issuers. Massachusetts’ economy is driven extensively by education, health care, financial services and high technology.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/FundPerformance, or by calling 1-800-225-5291, Monday–Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time.


Calendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did. Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

Average annual total returns Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-800-225-5291

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/FundPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class A (%)

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

Calendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was 3.96%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’09, 7.39%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -5.51%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JHMAX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

4.50%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.50%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[2]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.85%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

533

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

740

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

964

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,607

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

533

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

740

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

964

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

1,607

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

9.56%

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

6.18%

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

4.28%

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

3.43%

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

3.99%

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

2.57%

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(4.58%)

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

13.87%

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.22%

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

11.71%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

3.96%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

7.39%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2010

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(5.51%)

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class B

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JHMBX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.50%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.90%

^[2]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.60%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

663

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

826

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,114

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,814

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

163

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

526

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

914

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

1,814

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class C

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JMACX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.50%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.90%

^[2]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.60%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

263

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

526

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

914

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,000

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

163

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

526

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

914

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

2,000

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.70%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.56%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.51%

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class B

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.91%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.44%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.41%

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class C

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

9.91%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.79%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.26%

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | After tax on distributions | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.68%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.53%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.49%

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.78%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.60%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.46%

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

10.70%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

5.22%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.38%

[1] (on certain purchases, including those of $1 million or more)

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.15% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class A shares and 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class B and Class C shares. The current waiver agreement expires on September 30, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.30% for Class A, 1.00% for Class B and 1.00% for Class C shares.

XML

John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
MASSACHUSETTS TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

Investment objective

To seek a high level of current income, consistent with preservation of capital, that is exempt from federal and Massachusetts personal income taxes.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 15 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 57 to 60 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares	Class A		Class B	Class C
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	4.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	1.00%

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares		Class A	Class B	Class C
Management fee		0.50%	0.50%	0.50%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	[1]	0.15%	0.90%	0.90%
Other expenses		0.20%	0.20%	0.20%
Total annual fund operating expenses		0.85%	1.60%	1.60%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment in the fund for the time periods indicated (Kept column) and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods (Sold column). The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Sold

Expense Example John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares (USD $)	Class A	Class B	Class C
1 Year	533	663	263
3 Years	740	826	526
5 Years	964	1,114	914
10 Years	1,607	1,814	2,000

Kept

Expense Example, No Redemption John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares (USD $)	Class A	Class B	Class C
1 Year	533	163	163
3 Years	740	526	526
5 Years	964	914	914
10 Years	1,607	1,814	2,000

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 11% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus amounts borrowed for investment purposes, in securities of any maturity exempt from federal and Massachusetts personal income taxes. Most of these securities have credit ratings of A or higher by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) when purchased, but the fund may invest up to 33% of its net assets in securities rated as low as BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s or their unrated equivalents. Bonds that are rated at or below BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s are considered junk bonds.

The fund may buy bonds of any maturity. If a bond’s credit rating falls, the fund does not have to sell it unless the subadviser determines a sale is in the fund’s best interest. The fund may engage in derivative transactions that include futures contracts on debt securities and debt securities indexes; options on futures, debt securities and debt indexes; and inverse floating rate securities, in each case, for the purposes of reducing risk and/or enhancing investment returns.

The subadviser looks for bonds that are undervalued, based on both broad and security-specific factors, such as issuer creditworthiness, bond structure, general credit trends and the relative attractiveness of different types of issuers. The subadviser uses detailed analysis of an appropriate index to model portfolio performance and composition, then blends the macro assessment with security analysis in a comprehensive and disciplined fashion. The fund does not intend to use frequent trading as part of its strategy.

In general, the subadviser favors bonds backed by revenue from a specific public project or facility, such as a power plant (revenue bonds), as they tend to offer higher yields than general obligation bonds. The subadviser also favors bonds that have limitations on being paid off early (call protection), as this can help minimize the effect that falling interest rates may have on the fund’s yield. To the extent that the fund invests in bonds that are subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), the income paid by the fund may not be entirely tax free to all investors. Investments in bonds subject to the AMT will not be counted towards the fund’s 80% investment policy.

Principal risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund’s main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Changing distribution levels risk The distribution amounts paid by the fund generally depend on the amount of income and/or dividends paid by the fund’s investments.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Inverse floating rate securities Liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, issuer risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving inverse floating rate securities.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Municipal bond risk Municipal bond prices can decline due to fiscal mismanagement or tax shortfalls. Revenue bond prices can decline if related projects become unprofitable.

The fund may hold bonds that are insured as to principal and interest payments. Because the value of an insured municipal bond depends in part on the claims-paying ability of the insurer, the fund would be subject to the risk that the insurer may be unable to pay claims filed pursuant to the coverage. The fund may hold several investments covered by one insurer, which would increase the fund’s exposure to the claims-paying ability of that insurer. In addition, insurance does not guarantee the market value of the insured obligation.

Sector investing risk Because the fund may focus on a single sector of the economy, its performance depends in large part on the performance of that sector. As a result, the value of your investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across sectors.

State-specific risk Because the fund invests mainly in bonds from a single state, its performance is affected by local, state and regional factors. These factors may include economic or political changes, tax base erosion, state constitutional limits on tax increases, budget deficits and other financial difficulties, and changes in the credit ratings assigned to the state’s municipal issuers. Massachusetts’ economy is driven extensively by education, health care, financial services and high technology.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/FundPerformance, or by calling 1-800-225-5291, Monday–Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time.


Calendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did. Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Calendar year total returns — Class A (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was 3.96%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’09, 7.39%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -5.51%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares	1 Year	5 Year	10 Year
Class A before tax	6.70%	3.56%	4.51%
Class A After tax on distributions	6.68%	3.53%	4.49%
Class A After tax on distributions, with sale	5.78%	3.60%	4.46%
Class B before tax	5.91%	3.44%	4.41%
Class C before tax	9.91%	3.79%	4.26%
Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index	10.70%	5.22%	5.38%

[1] (on certain purchases, including those of $1 million or more)

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.15% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class A shares and 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class B and Class C shares. The current waiver agreement expires on September 30, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.30% for Class A, 1.00% for Class B and 1.00% for Class C shares.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES FUND

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 01, 2012

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
NEW YORK TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek a high level of current income, consistent with preservation of capital, that is exempt from federal, New York State and New York City personal income taxes.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 15 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 57 to 60 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

September 30, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 16% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

16.00%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 15 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 57 to 60 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

100,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment in the fund for the time periods indicated (Kept column) and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods (Sold column). The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption

Sold

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption

Kept

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus amounts borrowed for investment purposes, in securities of any maturity exempt from federal and New York personal income taxes. Most of these securities have credit ratings of A or higher by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) when purchased, but the fund may invest up to 33% of its net assets in bonds rated as low as BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s or their unrated equivalents. Bonds that are rated at or below BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s are considered junk bonds.

The fund may buy bonds of any maturity. If a bond’s credit rating falls, the fund does not have to sell it unless the subadviser determines a sale is in the fund’s best interest. The fund may engage in derivative transactions that include futures contracts on debt securities and debt securities indexes; options on futures, debt securities and debt indexes; and inverse floating rate securities, in each case, for the purposes of reducing risk and/or enhancing investment returns.

The subadviser looks for bonds that are undervalued, based on both broad and security-specific factors, such as issuer creditworthiness, bond structure, general credit trends and the relative attractiveness of different types of issuers. The subadviser uses detailed analysis of an appropriate index to model portfolio performance and composition, then blends the macro assessment with security analysis in a comprehensive and disciplined fashion. The fund does not intend to use frequent trading as part of its strategy.

In general, the subadviser favors bonds backed by revenue from a specific public project or facility, such as a power plant (revenue bonds), as they tend to offer higher yields than general obligation bonds. The subadviser also favors bonds that have limitations on being paid off early (call protection), as this can help minimize the effect that falling interest rates may have on the fund’s yield. To the extent that the fund invests in bonds that are subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), the income paid by the fund may not be entirely tax-free to all investors. Investments in bonds subject to the AMT will not be counted toward the fund’s 80% policy.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund’s main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Changing distribution levels risk The distribution amounts paid by the fund generally depend on the amount of income and/or dividends paid by the fund’s investments.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Inverse floating rate securities Liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, issuer risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving inverse floating rate securities.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Municipal bond risk Municipal bond prices can decline due to fiscal mismanagement or tax shortfalls. Revenue bond prices can decline if related projects become unprofitable.

The fund may hold bonds that are insured as to principal and interest payments. Because the value of an insured municipal bond depends in part on the claims-paying ability of the insurer, the fund would be subject to the risk that the insurer may be unable to pay claims filed pursuant to the coverage. The fund may hold several investments covered by one insurer, which would increase the fund’s exposure to the claims-paying ability of that insurer. In addition, insurance does not guarantee the market value of the insured obligation.

Sector investing risk Because the fund may focus on a single sector of the economy, its performance depends in large part on the performance of that sector. As a result, the value of your investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across sectors.

State-specific risk Because the fund invests mainly in bonds from a single state, its performance is affected by local, state and regional factors. These factors may include economic or political changes, tax base erosion, state constitutional limits on tax increases, budget deficits and other financial difficulties, and changes in the credit ratings assigned to the state’s municipal issuers. Though large and diversified, New York’s economy is heavily influenced by the high-wage financial services industry.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/FundPerformance, or by calling 1-800-225-5291, Monday–Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Calendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did. Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

Average annual total returns Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-800-225-5291

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/FundPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class A (%)

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

Calendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was 5.34%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’09, 7.21%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -4.41%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JHNYX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

4.50%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.50%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[2]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.91%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

539

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

758

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

995

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,673

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

539

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

758

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

995

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

1,673

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

8.60%

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

4.39%

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

4.43%

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

3.16%

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.68%

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

1.40%

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(4.01%)

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

13.18%

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

1.89%

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

9.54%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

5.34%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

7.21%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2010

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(4.41%)

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class B

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JNTRX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.50%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.90%

^[2]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.66%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

669

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

844

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,145

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,880

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

169

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

544

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

945

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

1,880

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class C

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JNYCX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.50%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.90%

^[2]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.66%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

269

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

544

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

945

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,065

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

169

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

544

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

945

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

2,065

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.65%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.26%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.15%

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class B

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.67%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.14%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.05%

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class C

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.68%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.49%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

3.90%

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | After tax on distributions | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.64%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.26%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.15%

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.48%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.37%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.16%

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

10.70%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

5.22%

10 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.38%

[1] (on certain purchases, including those of $1 million or more)

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.15% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class A shares and 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class B and Class C shares. The current waiver agreement expires on September 30, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.30% for Class A, 1.00% for Class B and 1.00% for Class C shares.

XML

Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2012
Risk/Return:
Document Type	485BPOS
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2012
Registrant Name	JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES FUND
Central Index Key	0000811921
Amendment Flag	false
Document Creation Date	Sep. 26, 2012
Document Effective Date	Oct. 01, 2012
Prospectus Date	Oct. 01, 2012

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES FUND
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Oct. 01, 2012
Document Creation Date	dei_DocumentCreationDate	Sep. 26, 2012

XML

John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
NEW YORK TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

Investment objective

To seek a high level of current income, consistent with preservation of capital, that is exempt from federal, New York State and New York City personal income taxes.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 15 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 57 to 60 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares	Class A		Class B	Class C
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	4.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	1.00%

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares		Class A	Class B	Class C
Management fee		0.50%	0.50%	0.50%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	[1]	0.15%	0.90%	0.90%
Other expenses		0.26%	0.26%	0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses		0.91%	1.66%	1.66%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment in the fund for the time periods indicated (Kept column) and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods (Sold column). The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Sold

Expense Example John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares (USD $)	Class A	Class B	Class C
1 Year	539	669	269
3 Years	758	844	544
5 Years	995	1,145	945
10 Years	1,673	1,880	2,065

Kept

Expense Example, No Redemption John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares (USD $)	Class A	Class B	Class C
1 Year	539	169	169
3 Years	758	544	544
5 Years	995	945	945
10 Years	1,673	1,880	2,065

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 16% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus amounts borrowed for investment purposes, in securities of any maturity exempt from federal and New York personal income taxes. Most of these securities have credit ratings of A or higher by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) when purchased, but the fund may invest up to 33% of its net assets in bonds rated as low as BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s or their unrated equivalents. Bonds that are rated at or below BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s are considered junk bonds.

The fund may buy bonds of any maturity. If a bond’s credit rating falls, the fund does not have to sell it unless the subadviser determines a sale is in the fund’s best interest. The fund may engage in derivative transactions that include futures contracts on debt securities and debt securities indexes; options on futures, debt securities and debt indexes; and inverse floating rate securities, in each case, for the purposes of reducing risk and/or enhancing investment returns.

The subadviser looks for bonds that are undervalued, based on both broad and security-specific factors, such as issuer creditworthiness, bond structure, general credit trends and the relative attractiveness of different types of issuers. The subadviser uses detailed analysis of an appropriate index to model portfolio performance and composition, then blends the macro assessment with security analysis in a comprehensive and disciplined fashion. The fund does not intend to use frequent trading as part of its strategy.

In general, the subadviser favors bonds backed by revenue from a specific public project or facility, such as a power plant (revenue bonds), as they tend to offer higher yields than general obligation bonds. The subadviser also favors bonds that have limitations on being paid off early (call protection), as this can help minimize the effect that falling interest rates may have on the fund’s yield. To the extent that the fund invests in bonds that are subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), the income paid by the fund may not be entirely tax-free to all investors. Investments in bonds subject to the AMT will not be counted toward the fund’s 80% policy.

Principal risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund’s main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Changing distribution levels risk The distribution amounts paid by the fund generally depend on the amount of income and/or dividends paid by the fund’s investments.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Inverse floating rate securities Liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, issuer risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving inverse floating rate securities.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Municipal bond risk Municipal bond prices can decline due to fiscal mismanagement or tax shortfalls. Revenue bond prices can decline if related projects become unprofitable.

The fund may hold bonds that are insured as to principal and interest payments. Because the value of an insured municipal bond depends in part on the claims-paying ability of the insurer, the fund would be subject to the risk that the insurer may be unable to pay claims filed pursuant to the coverage. The fund may hold several investments covered by one insurer, which would increase the fund’s exposure to the claims-paying ability of that insurer. In addition, insurance does not guarantee the market value of the insured obligation.

Sector investing risk Because the fund may focus on a single sector of the economy, its performance depends in large part on the performance of that sector. As a result, the value of your investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across sectors.

State-specific risk Because the fund invests mainly in bonds from a single state, its performance is affected by local, state and regional factors. These factors may include economic or political changes, tax base erosion, state constitutional limits on tax increases, budget deficits and other financial difficulties, and changes in the credit ratings assigned to the state’s municipal issuers. Though large and diversified, New York’s economy is heavily influenced by the high-wage financial services industry.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/FundPerformance, or by calling 1-800-225-5291, Monday–Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Calendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did. Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Calendar year total returns — Class A (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was 5.34%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’09, 7.21%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -4.41%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares	1 Year	5 Year	10 Year
Class A before tax	4.65%	3.26%	4.15%
Class A After tax on distributions	4.64%	3.26%	4.15%
Class A After tax on distributions, with sale	4.48%	3.37%	4.16%
Class B before tax	3.67%	3.14%	4.05%
Class C before tax	7.68%	3.49%	3.90%
Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index	10.70%	5.22%	5.38%

[1] (on certain purchases, including those of $1 million or more)

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.15% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class A shares and 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class B and Class C shares. The current waiver agreement expires on September 30, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.30% for Class A, 1.00% for Class B and 1.00% for Class C shares.