SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Filed by the Co-Registrants [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_] Check the appropriate box: [_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE [_] Preliminary Proxy Statement COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14A-6(E)(2)) [X] Definitive Proxy Statement [_] Definitive Additional Materials [_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12 DUFF & PHELPS UTILITIES TAX-FREE INCOME INC. DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY AND CORPORATE BOND TRUST INC. (Name of each Co-Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) FRANCIS E. JEFFRIES, CHAIRMAN (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement) Payment of Filing Fees (check the appropriate box): [X] $125 per Co-Registrant (an aggregate of $250 for the Co-Registrants listed above) per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A. [_] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a- 6(i)(3). [_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: (5) Total fee paid: [_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount previously paid: (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: (3) Filing Party: (4) Date Filed: DUFF & PHELPS UTILITIES TAX-FREE INCOME INC. DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY AND CORPORATE BOND TRUST INC. 55 EAST MONROE STREET CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603 TELEPHONE (312) 263-2610 NOTICE OF JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 15, 1996 To the Shareholders of: Duff & Phelps Utilities Tax-Free Income Inc. Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the holders of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Shares"), of each of Duff & Phelps Utilities Tax-Free Income Inc. ("DTF") and Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. ("DUC") (DTF and DUC sometimes being referred to herein individually as a "Fund" and collectively as the "Funds") and to the holders of shares of preferred stock, liquidation preference $50,000 per share, designated Remarketed Preferred Stock (the "RP") of DTF, that the Annual Meetings of the Shareholders of DTF and DUC (the "Meeting") will be held jointly at the University Club of Chicago, 76 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, on May 15, 1996 at 9:00 a.m., for the following purposes: 1. ELECT DIRECTORS: To elect directors of each Fund in the following manner: (a) with respect to DTF, to elect three directors, each to be elected by the holders of Common Shares of DTF and holders of RP, voting together as a single class, including two directors to serve until the Annual Meeting in 1999 or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, and one director to serve until the Annual Meeting in 1997 or until his successor is duly elected and qualified; and (b) with respect to DUC, to elect three directors by the holders of Common Shares of DUC, including two directors to serve until the Annual Meeting in 1999 or until their successors are duly elected and qualified and one director to serve until the Annual Meeting in 1998 or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. 2. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS: To ratify or reject the independent auditors for DTF and DUC in the following manner: (a) with respect to DTF, to ratify or reject, by the holders of Common Shares and holders of RP, voting together as a single class, the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for the Fund's fiscal year ending October 31, 1996; and (b) with respect to DUC, to ratify or reject, by the holders of Common Shares of DUC, the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for the Fund's fiscal year ending December 31, 1996. 3. OTHER BUSINESS: To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting. Holders of record of Common Shares of each of the Funds and holders of record of shares of RP of DTF, in each case at the close of business on March 29, 1996, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournment thereof. By order of the Boards of Directors of DTF and DUC Thomas N. Steenburg, Secretary April 9, 1996 SHAREHOLDERS OF EACH OF THE FUNDS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. IF YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE INDICATE YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD WITH RESPECT TO EACH FUND IN WHICH YOU WERE A SHAREHOLDER AS OF THE RECORD DATE, DATE AND SIGN IT, AND RETURN IT IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH IS ADDRESSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE AND NEEDS NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE OF FURTHER SOLICITATION, WE ASK THAT YOU MAIL YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY. MANAGEMENT OF EACH FUND RECOMMENDS THAT YOU CAST YOUR VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE NOMINEES FOR THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS LISTED IN THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF EACH OF THE FUNDS. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD PROMPTLY NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN. JOINT PROXY STATEMENT DUFF & PHELPS UTILITIES TAX-FREE INCOME INC. DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY AND CORPORATE BOND TRUST INC. 55 EAST MONROE STREET CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603 TELEPHONE (312) 263-2610 JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS MAY 15, 1996 INTRODUCTION This Joint Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Boards of Directors of Duff & Phelps Utilities Tax-Free Income Inc. ("DTF") and Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. ("DUC") of proxies to be voted at the Joint Annual Meeting of Shareholders of DTF and DUC, and at any and all adjournments thereof (the "Meeting"), to be held at the University Club of Chicago, 76 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, on May 15, 1996 at 9:00 a.m. The approximate mailing date of this Joint Proxy Statement and accompanying forms of proxy is April 9, 1996. DTF and DUC sometimes are referred to herein individually as a "Fund" and collectively as the "Funds". The Boards of Directors have fixed the close of business on March 29, 1996 as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of holders of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Shares"), of each of DTF and DUC and holders of shares of preferred stock, liquidation preference $50,000 per share, designated Remarketed Preferred Stock ("RP") of DTF, entitled to vote at the Meeting (Common Shares and RP being referred to herein collectively as "Shares"). Holders of Shares on such Record Date will be entitled to one vote for each Share held, with no Share having cumulative voting rights. As of March 29, 1996, there were 8,371,761 issued and outstanding Common Shares of DTF and 1,300 issued and outstanding shares of RP of DTF, and 26,015,314 issued and outstanding Common Shares of DUC. As of March 29, 1996, to the knowledge of management of each Fund, no person beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding Common Shares of DTF or DUC or the outstanding shares of RP of DTF. The Meeting is scheduled as a joint meeting of the respective Shareholders of the Funds because the Shareholders of each Fund are expected to consider and vote on similar matters. The Boards of Directors have determined that the use of a joint proxy statement for the Meeting is in the best interest of the Shareholders of each Fund. In the event that any Shareholder of a Fund present at the Meeting objects to the holding of a joint meeting and moves for an adjournment of such Fund's meeting to a time immediately after the Meeting, so that such Fund's meeting may be held separately, the persons named as proxies will vote in favor of such adjournment. Shareholders of each Fund will vote separately on each of the proposals relating to their respective Fund, and an unfavorable vote on a proposal by the Shareholders of one Fund will not affect the implementation by the other Fund of such proposal if the Shareholders of such other Fund approve the proposal. With respect to DTF, the holders of shares of RP will vote together with the holders of Common Shares of DTF as a single class on all proposals to be brought before the Meeting. SUMMARY OF VOTING ON PROPOSALS CLASSES OF SHARES OF AFFECTED SUCH FUNDS ENTITLED PROPOSAL FUNDS TO VOTE -------- -------- -------------------- 1(a) DTF Common Shares and RP 1(b) DUC Common Shares 2(a) DTF Common Shares and RP 2(b) DUC Common Shares The voting requirement for passage of a particular proposal depends on the nature of the particular proposal. Proposal 1 requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the Shares of a Fund entitled to vote thereon present at the Meeting in person or by proxy and voting to elect the respective nominees as Directors. Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares of a Fund entitled to vote thereon present at the Meeting in person or by proxy and voting to ratify the selection of the independent auditors. On the matters coming before the Meeting as to which a choice has been specified by the Shareholders by means of the ballot on the proxy, the respective Shares will be voted accordingly. Shares not voted with respect to a proposal due to an abstention or broker non-vote will be deemed votes not cast with respect to such proposal, but such Shares will be deemed present for quorum purposes. Management of each Fund recommends that you cast your vote IN FAVOR of the nominees for Directors of each Fund listed in this Joint Proxy Statement and FOR ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for each of DTF's and DUC's fiscal year ending in 1996. If a proxy is executed and returned and no choice is specified thereon, the Shares will be voted IN FAVOR of the nominees for Directors of each Fund listed in this Joint Proxy Statement and FOR ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for each of DTF's and DUC's fiscal year ending in 1996. Shareholders who execute proxies may revoke them at any time before they are voted by filing with the respective Fund a written notice of revocation, by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person. The Boards of Directors of the Funds know of no business other than that mentioned in Proposals 1 and 2 in the Notice of Meeting which will be presented for consideration at the Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented, it is the intention of the persons named on the enclosed proxy to vote proxies in accordance with their best judgment. In the event a quorum is present at the Meeting but sufficient votes to approve any of the proposals are not received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of such Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies, provided they determine such an adjournment and additional solicitation is reasonable and in the interest of Shareholders based on a consideration of all relevant factors, including the nature of the relevant proposal, the percentage of votes then cast, the percentage of negative votes then cast, the nature of the proposed solicitation activities and the nature of the reasons for such further solicitation. 2 Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. (the "Adviser") is the investment adviser for each of the Funds. The Adviser has acted as investment adviser for each Fund since they commenced investment operations. The Adviser is a wholly- owned subsidiary of Phoenix Duff & Phelps Corporation ("PD&P"). The address of the Adviser is 55 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. The address of PD&P is 56 Prospect Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06115. PD&P is a majority- owned subsidiary of PM Holdings, Inc. PM Holdings, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company, a New York mutual life insurance company ("Phoenix Home Life"). The address of Phoenix Home Life is One American Row, Hartford, Connecticut 06115. THE ANNUAL REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS OF EACH FUND, WHICH INCLUDES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EACH FUND AS OF ITS 1995 FISCAL YEAR END, HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN MAILED TO SHAREHOLDERS. EACH FUND WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF SUCH REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS WHO REQUEST THEM BY CONTACTING THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE RESPECTIVE FUND AS SET FORTH ON PAGE 9 OF THIS PROXY. PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS At the Meeting, Shareholders of each Fund will vote for the election of nominees to serve as Directors of their respective Fund. The Board of Directors of each of DTF and DUC currently is comprised of the same six Directors: Messrs. Conway, Crawford, Georgeson, Jeffries, Morris and Pavia. Messrs. Georgeson, Jeffries, Morris and Pavia have each served on the Boards of Directors of DTF and DUC since the commencement of operations of the respective Fund. Mr. Crawford was elected to serve on the Boards of Directors of DTF and DUC effective November 1, 1995. Mr. Conway was appointed to serve on the Boards of Directors of DTF and DUC effective December 21, 1995. The table below sets forth the names, ages, principal occupations and other information with respect to each of the current Directors. COMMON PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR SHARES RP NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS FUND OWNED/1/ OWNED/1/ - --------------------- -------------------------- ---- -------- -------- E. Virgil Conway Chairman and Director of the Metropolitan DTF -- -- 9 Rittenhouse Road Transportation Authority (1992-present). DUC -- -- Bronxville, NY 10708 Trustee/Director of Consolidated Edison Company of Age: 66 New York, Inc. (1970-present), Pace University (1978-present), Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company (1974-present), HRE Properties (1989-present), Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of America (1985-present), Union Pacific Corp. (1978-present), Atlantic Reinsurance Company (1986-present), Blackstone Fund for Fannie Mae Mortgage Securities (Advisory Director) (1989-present), Blackstone Fund for Freddie Mac Securities (Advisory Director) (1990-present) Centennial Insurance Company (1974- present), Josiah Macy, Jr., Foundation (1973- present), The Harlem Youth Development Foundation (1984-present), Trism, Inc. (1994-present), Accuhealth, Inc. (1994-present), Realty Foundation of New York (1972-present). Chairman (1990), Audit Committee of the City of New York (1981-present). Director/Trustee, Phoenix Funds (1993-present), Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds (1995-present) and Duff & Phelps Mutual Funds (1995- present). Chairman and Director of New York Housing Partnership Development Corp. (1981-present). Chairman of Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Counsel (1992-1995). Former Director, New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1974-1990). 3 COMMON PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR SHARES RP NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS FUND OWNED/1/ OWNED/1/ --------------------- -------------------------- ---- -------- -------- William W. Crawford Mr. Crawford currently is retired and is the DTF 1,000 -- 3003 Gulf Shore Blvd. North former President and Chief Operating Officer DUC 1,000 -- Naples, FL 33940 of Hilliard, Lyons, Inc., a registered Age: 67 broker-dealer. Mr. Crawford also is a Trustee of Duff & Phelps Mutual Funds and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds. William N. Georgeson Mr. Georgeson currently is retired and is a DTF 2,000 -- 575 Glenwood Road former Vice President of Nuveen Advisory DUC 2,249 -- Lake Forest, IL 60045 Corp., an investment adviser. Mr. Georgeson Age: 67 also is a Trustee of Duff & Phelps Mutual Funds and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds. Francis E. Jeffries* Mr. Jeffries is Chairman of the Board of DTF 42,367 -- 55 East Monroe Street Directors of DTF and DUC. Mr. Jeffries is DUC 14,244 -- Chicago, IL 60603 Chairman of the Board of PD&P and a Director Age: 65 of The Empire District Electric Company. Prior to July 1993, Mr. Jeffries was also President of the predecessor of PD&P and Chairman of the Board of the Adviser. He is also a Director/Trustee of all investment companies advised by PD&P and its affiliates. Everett L. Morris/2/ Mr. Morris is a Vice President of W. H. DTF 25,557 -- 164 Laird Road Reaves and Company. Prior to March 1993, Mr. DUC 3,852 -- Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Morris was a Director of Public Service Age: 67 Enterprise Group Incorporated and President and Chief Operating Officer of Enterprise Diversified Holdings Incorporated. Prior to January 1992, Mr. Morris was Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Public Service Electric and Gas Company. Prior to 1991, Mr. Morris was a director of First Fidelity Bank, N.A., N.J. He is also a Director/Trustee of all investment companies advised by PD&P and its affiliates. Richard A. Pavia/2/ Mr. Pavia is a Director of Speer Financial, DTF 3,252 -- 7145 North Ionia Inc., a regional company specializing in DUC 3,039 -- Chicago, IL 60646 public finance. Mr. Pavia has retired from Age: 64 his position as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Speer Financial, Inc. Mr. Pavia also is a Trustee of Duff & Phelps Mutual Funds and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds. 4 - -------- * "Interested person" of the Funds (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")). /1Ownership/of DTF shares is shown as of March 29, 1996 and such ownership can be direct or beneficial. Ownership of DUC shares is shown as of December 31, 1995, and such ownership can be direct or beneficial. /2Directors/of DTF to be elected by the holders of the RP voting as a separate class. /3Mr./Jeffries disclaims beneficial ownership of 16,959 of the DTF shares listed and 12,849 of DUC shares listed. Each Board of Directors held six meetings during its respective 1995 fiscal year. Each Director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors held during the period for which he was a Director. Each Fund has an audit committee and nominating committee consisting of Messrs. Conway, Crawford, Georgeson, Morris and Pavia, those Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Funds as defined in the 1940 Act. The audit committee is responsible for supervision of the Funds' independent accountants, the annual review of the Funds' investment advisory agreements and any other matters requiring the approval of the Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Funds pursuant to the 1940 Act. The nominating committee is responsible for nominating directors and will consider candidates proposed and selected by such Directors to serve on the Board of Directors. The audit committee and nominating committee of DUC held two meetings during such Fund's 1995 fiscal year. The audit committee and nominating committee of DTF held three meetings and one meeting, respectively, during such Fund's 1995 fiscal year. Each Director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the audit committee and nominating committee held during the period for which he was a Director. Directors who are affiliated with or are "interested persons" of the Adviser or PD&P receive no compensation from the Funds for acting as directors. Each of the other Directors receives an annual fee of $24,000 (representing a retainer for DTF, DUC and Duff & Phelps Enhanced Reserves Fund, a series of Duff & Phelps Mutual Funds which is an open-end investment company advised by the Adviser; such amount to be allocated among such funds on the basis of relative net assets), an attendance fee of $1,000 per regular meeting of a Fund and an attendance fee of $500 per committee meeting of a Fund and all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such meetings. Disinterested Directors who serve as a chairman of a committee of the Board of Directors receive an additional annual fee of $2,500. The following table summarizes the compensation paid to Directors of each Fund for its respective fiscal year ended in 1995: COMPENSATION TABLE AGGREGATE COMPENSATION TOTAL FROM EACH FUND COMPENSATION FOR WHICH DIRECTOR RETIREMENT FROM THE SERVES ON BOARD/2/ BENEFITS FUNDS AND ------------------- ACCRUED AS PART FUND NAME/1/ DTF DUC OF FUND EXPENSES COMPLEX/3/ - ------- --------- --------- ---------------- ------------ E. Virgil Conway......... $ 0 $ 0 N/A $ 0 William W. Crawford...... $ 0 $ 1,500 N/A $ 3,000 William N. Georgeson..... $ 13,020 $ 24,140 N/A $53,000 Everett L. Morris........ $ 16,770 $ 21,640 N/A $50,750 Richard A. Pavia......... $ 15,520 $ 21,640 N/A $49,500 - -------- /1Mr./Jeffries is an "interested person" of the Adviser and did not receive any compensation directly from the Funds. /2The/amounts shown are for each Fund's fiscal year ended in 1995. /3There/are three funds in the Fund Complex; the amounts shown are accumulated from the Aggregate Compensation from each fund in the Fund Complex during such fund's fiscal year ended in 1995. 5 The following table sets forth certain information concerning the principal executive officers of the Funds. The officers serve until their respective successors are chosen and qualified. The Funds' officers receive no compensation from the Funds but are also officers of the Adviser or PD&P and receive compensation in such capacities. Unless otherwise specified, the address of each of the following persons is 55 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. POSITIONS AND OTHER PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS NAME AND AGE OFFICES WITH FUNDS IN PAST 5 YEARS - ------------ ------------------ --------------------------- Calvin J. Pedersen...... President and Chief Mr. Pedersen is President of PD&P, Age: 54 Executive Officer of Chairman of the Board of the Adviser, DTF and DUC President and Chief Executive Officer of Duff & Phelps Utilities Income Inc. and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, President and Chief Executive Officer of Duff & Phelps Mutual Funds. Mr. Pedersen is a Director/Trustee of all investment companies advised by PD&P and its affiliates. Robert J. Moore......... Executive Vice President Mr. Moore is an Executive Vice President Age: 34 of DTF and DUC of the Adviser. Mr. Moore is also Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Duff & Phelps Mutual Funds and a Vice President of Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds. Prior to joining the Adviser, Mr. Moore was Principal and Portfolio Manager with Harris Investment Management and was a lead portfolio manager with Ford Motor Company. Dennis A. Cavanaugh..... Senior Vice President, Mr. Cavanaugh is an Executive Vice Age: 51 Assistant Treasurer and President of the Adviser. Prior to Chief Investment Officer 1994, Mr. Cavanaugh was a Senior Vice of DUC President of the Adviser. James P. Wehr........... Vice President and Chief Mr. Wehr is a Vice President of Phoenix 56 Prospect Street Investment Officer of DTF Investment Counsel, Inc. Mr. Wehr is Hartford, CT 06102 also Co-Portfolio Manager of Phoenix Age: 38 Tax-Exempt Bond Portfolio and Phoenix California Tax-Exempt Bonds, Inc. and the Portfolio Manager of the Managed Bond Portfolio, an Institutional Fund. Thomas N. Steenburg..... Secretary of DTF and Mr. Steenburg is Vice President and One American Row DUC Counsel of PD&P. Mr. Steenburg is also Hartford, CT 06102 Secretary of Duff & Phelps Mutual Funds Age: 47 and the Phoenix Funds. Prior to joining PD&P, Mr. Steenburg was Counsel of Phoenix Home Life Insurance Company. Mary Jo Metz............ Treasurer and Assistant Ms. Metz is an Assistant Vice President Age: 32 Secretary of DTF and of the Adviser. Ms. Metz is an DUC Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Duff & Phelps Mutual Funds. Ms. Metz is a C.P.A. and prior to joining the Adviser, she was an auditor for Arthur Andersen LLP. 6 As of March 29, 1996, the Directors and officers of each Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares of each Fund, respectively, and no outstanding shares of RP of DTF. Section 30(f) of the 1940 Act and Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 require each of the Funds' officers and directors, investment adviser, affiliated persons of the investment adviser and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of a Fund's equity securities to file forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, if applicable, reporting their affiliation with the respective Fund and reports of ownership and changes in ownership of shares of the respective Fund's equity securities. These persons and entities are required by U.S. securities regulations to furnish the Funds with copies of all such forms they file. Based on a review of these forms furnished to the Funds, the Funds believe that during the last fiscal year of each Fund, the Funds' officers and directors, investment advisers and affiliated persons of the investment adviser complied with all applicable filing requirements, except as follows: a Form 4 reporting a purchase of Common Shares of DUC on behalf of Mr. Pavia was filed late due to a clerical error; a Form 4 reporting a purchase of Common Shares of DUC on behalf of Mr. Georgeson was inadvertently filed late; and a Form 3 following Mr. Crawford's appointment to the Board of Directors of DUC was inadvertently filed late. None of the Directors or officers of the Funds made any purchases or sales of securities of PD&P or any of its subsidiaries, including the Adviser, exceeding 1% of the outstanding common stock of such company during each Fund's fiscal year ended in 1995. NOMINEES FOR DTF DIRECTORS. At the Meeting, (i) William N. Georgeson and Frances E. Jeffries are to be considered for election to serve as Class I Directors until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 1999 or until their successors are duly elected and qualified and (ii) E. Virgil Conway is to be considered for election as a Class II Director until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 1997 or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. The holders of Common Shares and holders of RP, voting as a single class, will vote with respect to each of the nominees for Director. An affirmative vote of a plurality of the Common Shares and RP, voting as a single class, present at the Meeting in person or by proxy, is required to elect each nominee. It is the intention of the persons named on the enclosed proxy to vote the Shares represented by them for the election of the respective nominees unless the proxy is marked otherwise. The Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of DTF provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than three nor more than nine directors divided into three classes, the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible. Generally, the Directors of only one class are elected at each annual meeting so that the regular term of only one class of Directors will expire annually and any particular Director stands for election only once in each three-year period. However, Mr. Conway is being considered as a nominee at this Meeting to serve as a Class II Director of DTF because the Meeting is the first meeting of shareholders of DTF since he was appointed by the Board. Assuming each of the DTF nominees is elected at the Meeting, the terms of each class of the Board of Directors will expire at the annual meetings of DTF in the years indicated in the table below. CLASS I DIRECTORS - 1999 William N. Georgeson Francis E. Jeffries CLASS II DIRECTORS - 1997 E. Virgil Conway Everett L. Morris CLASS III DIRECTORS - 1998 William W. Crawford Richard A. Pavia 7 Pursuant to the 1940 Act, as long as any shares of RP are outstanding, the holders of shares of RP, voting as a separate class, will elect two of the Directors of DTF. Everett L. Morris and Richard A. Pavia have been designated to be elected by the holders of RP. In the event a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors by reason of death, resignation or a reason other than removal by the appropriate class of stockholders, the remaining Directors, or remaining Director, elected by the class that elected the vacant Director's position shall fill the vacancy for the entire unexpired term. NOMINEES FOR DUC DIRECTORS. At the Meeting, (i) William W. Crawford and Richard A. Pavia are to be considered for election to serve as Class III Directors until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 1999 or until their successors are duly elected and qualified and (ii) E. Virgil Conway is to be considered for election as a Class II Director until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 1998 or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. The holders of Common Shares will vote with respect to each of the nominees for Director. An affirmative vote of a plurality of the Common Shares, present at the Meeting in person or by proxy, is required to elect each nominee. It is the intention of the persons named on the enclosed proxy to vote the Shares represented by them for the election of the respective nominees unless the proxy is marked otherwise. The Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of DUC provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than three nor more than nine directors divided into three classes, the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible. Generally, the Directors of only one class are elected at each annual meeting so that the regular term of only one class of Directors will expire annually and any particular Director stands for election only once in each three-year period. However, Mr. Conway is being considered as a nominee at this Meeting to serve as a Class II Director of DUC because the Meeting is the first meeting of shareholders of DUC since he was appointed by the Board. Assuming each of the DUC nominees is elected at the Meeting, the terms of each class of the Board of Directors expire at the annual meetings of DUC in the years indicated in the table below. CLASS I DIRECTORS - 1997 William N. Georgeson Francis E. Jeffries CLASS II DIRECTORS - 1998 E. Virgil Conway Everett L. Morris CLASS III DIRECTORS - 1999 William W. Crawford Richard A. Pavia SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL With respect to DTF, holders of Common Shares and holders of shares of RP, voting together as a single class, are entitled to vote on this issue. With respect to DUC, holders of Common Shares are entitled to vote on this issue. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the Shares cast in person or by proxy is required to elect the respective nominees. THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "IN FAVOR" OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES. 8 PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS The Board of Directors of DTF and DUC, including a majority of the Directors who are not "interested persons" of DTF and DUC, have selected the firm of Ernst & Young LLP, independent certified public accountants, to examine the financial statements of such Funds for the 1996 fiscal year of each Fund. DTF and DUC know of no direct or indirect financial interest of such firm in DTF or DUC. The appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is subject to ratification or rejection by the Shareholders of DTF and DUC, respectively. Unless a contrary specification is made, the accompanying proxy will be voted in favor of ratifying the selection of such accountants. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Meeting and will be available to respond to questions from Shareholders and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL With respect to DTF, holders of Common Shares and holders of shares of RP, voting together as a single class, are entitled to vote on this issue. With respect to DUC, holders of Common Shares are entitled to vote on this issue. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares cast in person or by proxy is required to ratify the selection of the independent auditors. THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP TO SERVE AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF DTF AND DUC. PROXY SOLICITATION EXPENSES The expense of preparing, printing and mailing the enclosed form of proxy, accompanying Notice of Meeting and this Proxy Statement and all other costs in connection with the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Funds, which will also reimburse banks, brokers and others for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owners of the Shares of the Funds. In order to obtain the necessary quorum at the Meeting, additional solicitation may be made by mail, telephone, telegraph or personal interview by representatives of the Funds, the Adviser, or by dealers or their representatives. It is anticipated that the cost of such supplementary solicitations, if any, will be nominal. REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THE ANNUAL REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS OF EACH FUND, WHICH INCLUDES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EACH FUND AS OF ITS 1995 FISCAL YEAR END, HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN MAILED TO SHAREHOLDERS. DTF WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT BY CALLING STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, DTF'S TRANSFER AGENT, AT (800) 451-6788 OR BY WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND MANAGEMENT, INC., DTF'S ADMINISTRATOR, AT ONE SEAPORT PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10292. DUC WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT, BY CALLING PRINCETON ADMINISTRATORS, L.P., DUC'S ADMINISTRATOR, AT (800) 688-0928 OR BY WRITING TO PRINCETON ADMINISTRATORS, L.P., P.O. BOX 9011, PRINCETON, NJ 08543-9011. NONE OF THE DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS OF THE FUNDS HAS A MATERIAL INTEREST IN SUCH ADMINISTRATORS. 9 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS To be considered for presentation at a Shareholders' meeting, rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission require that, among other things, a stockholder proposal be received at the offices of the Funds at least 120 calendar days in advance of the anniversary of the release date of the proxy statement relating to the annual meeting held by the respective Fund in the previous year, or if no annual meeting was held by the respective Fund in the previous year, such stockholder proposal must be received by such Fund a reasonable time before a solicitation is made. GENERAL Management of the Funds does not intend to present and does not have reason to believe that others will present any other items of business at the Meeting. However, if other matters are properly presented to the Meeting for a vote, the proxies will be voted upon such matters in accordance with the judgment of the persons acting under the proxies. A list of Shareholders entitled to be present and vote at the Meeting will be available at the offices of the Funds, 55 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, for inspection by any Shareholder during regular business hours for ten days prior to the date of the Meeting. Failure of a quorum to be present at the Meeting will necessitate adjournment and will give rise to additional expense. IF YOU CANNOT BE PRESENT IN PERSON, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO FILL IN, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. Thomas N. Steenburg Secretary April 9, 1996 10 DUFF & PHELPS UTILITIES TAX-FREE INCOME INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - MAY 15, 1996 PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned holder of shares of Common Stock of DUFF & PHELPS UTILITIES TAX-FREE INCOME INC. (the "Fund"), a Maryland corporation, hereby appoints Calvin J. Pedersen and Thomas N. Steenburg and each of them, with full power of substitution and revocation, as proxies to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the University Club of Chicago, 76 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, on May 15, 1996 at 9:00 a.m. and at any and all adjournments thereof, and thereat to vote all shares of Common Stock of the Fund which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, in accordance with the following instructions. If more than one of the proxies, or their substitute, are present at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof, they jointly (or, if only one is present and voting, then that one) shall have authority and may exercise all powers granted hereby. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked herein by the undersigned. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSALS DESCRIBED HEREIN AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON OTHER SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the Fund. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title. HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED? ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- [X] PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE 1. Authority to vote for the election as Class I Directors, the nominees listed below: William N. Georgeson Granting Withhold [_] [_] Francis E. Jeffries Granting Withhold [_] [_] Authority to vote for the election as a Class II Director, the nominee listed below: E. Virgil Conway Granting Withhold [_] [_] 2. As to the proposal to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent certified public accountants for the Fund's fiscal year ending October 31, 1996. For Against Abstain [_] [_] [_] 3. Upon any and all other business which may come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of Joint Annual Meeting and Joint Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting to be held on May 15, 1996. Mark box at right [_] if comments or Please be sure to sign address change have and date this Proxy. Date been noted on the - ------------------------------------------------- reverse side of this card. - ------------------------------------------------- Shareholder sign here Co-owner sign here RECORD DATE SHARES: DUFF & PHELPS UTILITIES TAX-FREE INCOME INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - MAY 15, 1996 PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned holder of shares of Remarketed Preferred Stock of DUFF & PHELPS UTILITIES TAX-FREE INCOME INC. (the "Fund"), a Maryland corporation, hereby appoints Calvin J. Pedersen and Thomas N. Steenburg and each of them, with full power of substitution and revocation, as proxies to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the University Club of Chicago, 76 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, on May 15, 1996 at 9:00 a.m. and at any and all adjournments thereof, and thereat to vote all shares of Remarketed Preferred Stock of the Fund which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, in accordance with the following instructions. If more than one of the proxies, or their substitute, are present at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof, they jointly (or, if only one is present and voting, then that one) shall have authority and may exercise all powers granted hereby. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked herein by the undersigned. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSALS DESCRIBED HEREIN AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON OTHER SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the Fund. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title. HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED? ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- [X] PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE 1. Authority to vote for the election as Class I Directors, the nominees listed below: William N. Georgeson Granting Withhold [_] [_] Francis E. Jeffries Granting Withhold [_] [_] Authority to vote for the election as a Class II Director, the nominee listed below: E. Virgil Conway Granting Withhold [_] [_] 2. As to the proposal to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent certified public accountants for the Fund's fiscal year ending October 31, 1996. For Against Abstain [_] [_] [_] 3. Upon any and all other business which may come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of Joint Annual Meeting and Joint Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting to be held on May 15, 1996. Mark box at right [_] if comments or Please be sure to sign address change have and date this Proxy. Date been noted on the - ------------------------------------------------- reverse side of this card. - ------------------------------------------------- Shareholder sign here Co-owner sign here RECORD DATE SHARES: DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY AND CORPORATE BOND TRUST INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - MAY 15, 1996 PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned holder of shares of Common Stock of DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY AND CORPORATE BOND TRUST INC. (the "Fund"), a Maryland corporation, hereby appoints Calvin J. Pedersen and Thomas N. Steenburg and each of them, with full power of substitution and revocation, as proxies to represent the undersigned at the meeting of stockholders to be held at the University Club of Chicago, 76 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, on May 15, 1996 at 9:00 a.m. and at any and all adjournments thereof, and thereat to vote all shares of Common Stock of the Fund which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, in accordance with the following instructions. If more than one of the proxies, or their substitute, are present at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, they jointly (or, if only one is present and voting, then that one) shall have authority and may exercise all powers granted hereby. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked herein by the undersigned. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSALS DESCRIBED HEREIN AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED? - ------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------- DUFF & PHELPS UTILITY AND CORPORATE BOND TRUST INC. P.O. Box 11177 New York, NY 10208-0177 1. Authority to vote for the election as Class III Directors, the nominees listed below: For all nominees Withhold authority to vote listed below for all nominees listed below Exceptions [_] [_] [_] Nominees: William W. Crawford, Richard A. Pavia (INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the "Exceptions" box and write that nominee's name in the space provided below.) *Exceptions --------------------------------------------------------------------- Authority to vote for the election as a Class II Director, the nominee listed below: For the nominee Withhold authority to vote listed below for the listed nominee [_] [_] Nominee: E. Virgil Conway 2. As to the proposal to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent certified public accountants for the Fund's fiscal year ending December 31, 1996. For Against Abstain [_] [_] [_] 3. Upon any and all other business which may come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of Joint Annual Meeting and Joint Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting to be held on May 15, 1996. Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the Fund. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title. PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Dated , 1996 Change of [_] -------------- address and/or comments, mark here - ------------------------------------------------- (Signature of Stockholder) - ------------------------------------------------- (Signature of Joint Owner, if any) Votes must be indicated [x] in Black or Blue ink.