KTF DWS Municipal Income Trust

DWS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST (“KTF”)

DWS STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST (“KSM”)

875 THIRD AVENUE

NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022

NOTICE OF JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

This is the formal notice for the joint annual meeting of shareholders of KTF and KSM (each individually, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). It tells you the proposal that you will be asked to vote on and the time and place of the joint annual meeting, in the event you choose to attend in person.

To the shareholders of the Funds:

A joint annual meeting of shareholders of each Fund will be held on September 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time), at the offices of DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc., 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (the “Meeting”), to consider the following proposal (the “Proposal”):

The persons named as proxies will vote in their discretion on any other business that properly may come before the Meeting and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

Holders of record of shares of each Fund at the close of business on August 21, 2023 are entitled to vote at the Meeting and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

THE BOARD OF YOUR FUND RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH BOARD MEMBER NOMINEE.

For each Fund, any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.

This notice and the related proxy materials are being mailed to shareholders of each Fund on or about September 1, 2023. This proxy is being solicited on behalf of your Fund’s Board.

By Order of the Board

John Millette

Secretary

August 28, 2023

We urge you to mark, sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided or to record your voting instructions by telephone or via the Internet so that you will be represented at the Meeting. If you complete and sign the proxy card (or tell us how you want to vote by voting by telephone or via the Internet), we will vote it exactly as you tell us. If you simply sign the proxy card, we will vote it in accordance with your Board’s recommendation on the Proposal. Your prompt return of the enclosed proxy card (or your voting by telephone or via the Internet) may prevent the necessity and expense of further solicitations. If you have any questions, please call Georgeson LLC, your Fund’s proxy solicitor, at the special toll-free number we have set up for you (1-886-296-6841), or contact your financial advisor.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS

The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly.

DWS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST (“KTF”)

DWS STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST (“KSM”)

JOINT PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

August 28, 2023

GENERAL

This joint proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of each of KTF and KSM (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), for use at the annual meeting of shareholders of each Fund to be held jointly at the offices of DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor”), 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022 on September 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time), and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof (the “Meeting”). The principal executive address of each Fund is 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

This Proxy Statement, along with the enclosed Notice of Joint Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the accompanying proxy card (the “Proxy Card”), are first being mailed to shareholders on or about September 1, 2023. The Proxy Statement explains what you should know before voting on the proposal described herein. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

The term “Board,” as used herein, refers to the board of trustees of each Fund. The term “Board Member,” as used herein, refers to a person who serves as a trustee of a Fund (each a “Trustee”).

The Meeting is being held to consider and to vote on the following proposal (the “Proposal”) for each Fund, as indicated below and as described more fully herein, and such other matters as properly may come before the Meeting:

PROPOSAL: To elect four (4) Board Members to the Board of Trustees of each Fund as outlined below:

THE BOARD OF EACH FUND RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH

BOARD MEMBER NOMINEE.

The vote required to approve the Proposal is described under “Proposal — Election of Board Members — Required Vote” and “Additional Information — Quorum and Required Vote.”

The persons named as proxies will vote in their discretion on any other business that properly may come before the Meeting and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

The most recent Annual Report of each Fund, containing audited financial statements (each an “Annual Report”), previously has been made available to each Fund’s shareholders. An additional copy of an Annual Report and the most recent Semi-Annual Report (each a “Semi-Annual Report”) succeeding an Annual Report, if any, will be furnished without charge upon request by writing to your Fund at 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, or by calling 800-349-4281. Annual Reports and Semi-Annual Reports are available on the DWS website at www.dws.com and on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) at www.sec.gov.

2

PROPOSAL

ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS

Shareholders of each Fund are being asked to elect Board Members to the Board of their Fund as described below.

At the Meeting, the holders of the preferred shares of beneficial interest (“Preferred Shareholders”), voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two (2) Board Members, and the holders of the common shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shareholders”) and the Preferred Shareholders, voting together as a single class, are entitled to elect two (2) Board Members (as described below).

Pursuant to each Fund’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Amended and Restated By-Laws, the Board of each Fund, with the exception of the two Board Members elected by the vote of the Preferred Shareholders as a separate class, has been divided into three (3) classes with Board Members of each class being elected to serve until the third annual meeting following their election. In addition, two Board Members are elected by the Preferred Shareholders, voting as a separate class, to serve until the next annual meeting. At the Meeting, two (2) Class III Board Members are to be elected by each Fund’s Common Shareholders and Preferred Shareholders, voting together as a single class, each to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2026 and until such Board Member’s successor is duly elected and qualifies or until such Board Member sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed; and two (2) Board Members are to be elected by each Fund’s Preferred Shareholders only, voting as a separate class (the “Preferred Board Members”), each to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2024 and until such Preferred Board Member’s successor has been duly elected and qualifies or until such Preferred Board Member sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed. The Class III Board Member nominees standing for election at the Meeting are: Mr. John W. Ballantine and Ms. Rebecca W. Rimel. The Preferred Board Member nominees standing for election at the Meeting are: Ms. Dawn-Marie Driscoll and Mr. Keith R. Fox. Under the Funds’ current retirement policy, Mr. Ballantine is scheduled to retire from the Board on December 31, 2024.

For each Fund. The individuals nominated for election as Board Members of each Fund at the Meeting (collectively, the “Board Member Nominees”) were nominated by each Fund’s Board upon the recommendation of the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board Member Nominees currently serve as Board Members of each Fund, and currently serve as Board Members of other DWS funds advised by DIMA.

3

It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed Proxy Card to vote the shares represented thereby for the election of the Board Member Nominees unless the Proxy Card is marked otherwise. Each of the Board Member Nominees has consented to being named in the Proxy Statement and has agreed to serve as a Board Member of each Fund if elected. However, should any Board Member Nominee become unable or unwilling to serve prior to the Meeting, the persons named as proxies may vote your shares for substitute nominees, if any, recommended by the Board of your Fund.

Information Concerning the Board Member Nominees and Board Members

Information is provided below as of August 15, 2023 for the Board Member Nominees and the continuing Board Members for each Fund’s Board. All of the Board Member Nominees and continuing Board Members are non-interested Board Members, pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (“Independent Board Members”). See pages 10-11 for further discussion of the qualifications of the Board Member Nominees and the continuing Board Members.

4

Board Member Nominees/Board Members:

5

6

7

8

Unless otherwise noted, each Board Member Nominee and continuing Board Member has engaged in the principal occupation(s) noted in the table above for at least the most recent five years, although not necessarily in the same capacity. The mailing address of each Board Member Nominee and continuing Board Member is Keith R. Fox, DWS

9

Funds Board Chair, c/o Thomas R. Hiller, Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600.

As reported to the Funds, Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement sets forth the dollar range of equity securities and number of shares beneficially owned by each Board Member Nominee and continuing Board Member in each Fund as of August 1, 2023. Exhibit A also sets forth the aggregate dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Board Member Nominee and continuing Board Member in all DWS funds overseen by the Board Member as of August 1, 2023.

The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of each Fund is responsible for recommending proposed nominees for election to the full Board for its approval. In recommending the election of the current Board Members, the Committee generally considered the educational, business and professional experience of each Board Member in determining his or her qualifications to serve as a Board Member, including the Board Member’s record of service as a director or trustee of public and private organizations. In the case of most Board Members, this included his or her many years of previous service as a director or trustee of certain of the DWS funds. This previous service has provided these Board Members with a valuable understanding of the history of the DWS funds and the DIMA organization and has also served to demonstrate his or her high level of diligence and commitment to the interests of fund shareholders and his or her ability to work effectively and collegially with other members of the Board. The Committee also considered, among other factors, the particular attributes described below with respect to the various individual Board Members:

John W. Ballantine — Mr. Ballantine’s experience in banking, financial risk management and investments acquired in the course of his service as a senior executive of a major U.S. bank.

Mary Schmid Daugherty — Ms. Daugherty’s experience as a professor of finance and business consultant, and her experience as a corporate director of numerous organizations, including experience as a mutual fund director.

Dawn-Marie Driscoll — Ms. Driscoll’s professional training and experience as an attorney, her expertise as a consultant, professor and author on the subject of business ethics, her service as a member of the executive committee of the Independent Directors Council of the Investment Company Institute and her experience as a director of an insurance company serving the mutual fund industry.

Keith R. Fox — Mr. Fox’s experience as the chairman and a director of various private operating companies and investment partnerships and

10

his experience as a director and audit committee member of several public companies. In addition, he holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Richard J. Herring — Mr. Herring’s experience as a professor of finance at a leading business school and his service as an advisor to various professional and governmental organizations.

Chad D. Perry — Mr. Perry’s professional training and experience as an attorney, his experience as general counsel of a public company and his prior experience in the financial services industry.

Rebecca W. Rimel — Ms. Rimel’s experience on a broad range of public policy issues acquired during her service as the executive director of a major public charity and her experience as a director of several public companies.

Catherine Schrand — Ms. Schrand’s experience as a professor of accounting at a leading business school and her expertise as an author and editor on the subject of accounting and economics.

William N. Searcy, Jr. — Mr. Searcy’s experience as an investment officer for various major public company retirement plans, which included evaluation of unaffiliated investment advisers and supervision of various administrative and accounting functions.

Officers

The officers of each Fund are set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

Compensation of Board Members and Officers

Each Independent Board Member receives compensation from each Fund for his or her services, which includes retainer fees and specified amounts for various committee services and for the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, if any. No additional compensation is paid to any Independent Board Member for travel time to meetings, attendance at directors’ educational seminars or conferences, service on industry or association committees, participation as speakers at directors’ conferences or service on special fund industry director task forces or subcommittees. Independent Board Members do not receive any employee benefits such as pension or retirement benefits or health insurance from the Funds or any fund in the DWS fund complex.

Fund officers who are officers, directors, employees or stockholders of DWS or its affiliates receive no direct compensation from the Funds, although they are compensated as employees of DWS, or its affiliates, and as a result may be deemed to participate in fees paid by the Funds.

11

Exhibit C to this Proxy Statement sets forth compensation paid to each current Independent Board Member by each Fund for its most recently completed fiscal year and to each current Independent Board Member by the DWS fund complex for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022.

Board Structure

The primary responsibility of each Fund’s Board is to represent the interests of the Fund and to provide oversight of the management of the Fund. SEC rules currently require a majority of the board members of a fund to be “independent” if the fund takes advantage of certain exemptive rules under the 1940 Act. If the Board Member Nominees are elected by shareholders of each Fund, each Fund’s Board will be comprised of nine individuals, all of whom are Independent Board Members. Each of the Board Member Nominees that will be considered an Independent Board Member, if elected, has been selected and nominated solely by the current Independent Board Members of each Fund.

Each Fund’s Board meets multiple times during the year to review investment performance and other operational matters, including regulatory and compliance related policies and procedures. Furthermore, the Independent Board Members review the fees paid to the Advisor and its affiliates for investment advisory services and other services. Each Board has adopted specific policies and guidelines that, among other things, seek to further enhance the effectiveness of the Independent Board Members in performing their duties. For example, the Independent Board Members select independent legal counsel to work with them in reviewing fees, advisory and other contracts and overseeing fund matters, and regularly meet privately with their counsel. An Independent Board Member, Mr. Fox, currently serves as Chairperson of the Board of each Fund.

During calendar year 2022, the Board of each Fund held five (5) regular meetings. Each Board Member attended at least 75% of the respective meetings of each Board and the committees (if a member thereof) held during calendar year 2022.

The Board of each Fund provides a process for shareholders to send communications to the Board. Correspondence should be sent by U.S. mail or courier service to Keith R. Fox, DWS Funds Board Chair, c/o Thomas R. Hiller, Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600, who will forward it to a specific Board Member if addressed to that Board Member.

12

Taking into account the number, diversity and complexity of the funds overseen by the Board Members and the aggregate amount of assets under management in the DWS funds, each Board has determined that the efficient conduct of its affairs makes it desirable to delegate responsibility for certain specific matters to committees of the Board. These committees, which are described in more detail below, review and evaluate matters specified in their charters and take actions on those matters and/or make recommendations to the Board, as appropriate. Each committee may utilize the resources of the Fund’s counsel and auditors as well as other experts. The committees meet as often as necessary, either in conjunction with regular meetings of the Board or otherwise. The membership and chair of each committee are appointed by the Board upon recommendations of the Nominating and Governance Committee. The membership and chair of each committee consist exclusively of Independent Board Members.

The Board of each Fund has determined that this committee structure also allows the Board to focus more effectively on the oversight of risk as part of its broader oversight of the Fund’s affairs. While risk management is the primary responsibility of each Fund’s investment advisor, the Board regularly receives reports regarding investment risks and compliance risks. The Board’s committee structure allows separate committees to focus on different aspects of these risks and their potential impact on some or all of the DWS funds and to discuss with the Fund’s investment advisor and administrator how it monitors and controls such risks.

The Board of each Fund has established the following standing committees: Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Operations Committee (each a “Committee”). The Board of each Fund also has a Dividend Committee but it is currently inactive for each Fund. For each Committee, except the Dividend Committee, a written charter setting forth the Committee’s responsibilities was adopted by each Board. The function, membership and number of meetings held in calendar year 2022 for each Committee is discussed below.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, which consists entirely of Independent Board Members, assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of (1) the integrity of the financial statements, (2) a Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and procedures, (3) a Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to accounting and financial reporting, (4) valuation of Fund assets and securities, and (5) the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm for a Fund. The Audit Committee oversees a Fund’s valuation designee, who is responsible for valuing the Fund’s securities and other assets. The Audit Committee also approves and recommends

13

to the Board the appointment, retention or termination of the independent registered public accounting firm for a Fund, reviews the scope of audit and internal controls, considers and reports to the Board on matters relating to a Fund’s accounting and financial reporting practices, and performs such other tasks as the full Board deems necessary or appropriate. Each Fund’s Audit Committee is governed by the Audit Committee Charter, which is available at https://fundsus.dws.com/us/en-us/products/closed-end-funds/dws-strategic-municipal-income-trust.html#resources.

Each Fund’s Audit Committee is comprised of only Independent Board Members who are “independent” as defined in the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing standards applicable to closed-end funds. Pursuant to the charter of each Fund’s Audit Committee, no member of the Audit Committee shall serve on the audit committee of more than three public companies unless the Board determines that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of the Audit Committee member to serve effectively on the Audit Committee. During the calendar year 2022, the Audit Committee of each Fund’s Board held six (6) meetings.

In January 2023, each Fund’s Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Fund’s audited financial statements with management for the Fund’s fiscal year ended 2022. Each Fund’s Audit Committee also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301 (Communications With Audit Committees). Each Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm provided the Fund’s Audit Committee the written disclosure required by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) Rule 3526 (Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), and each Fund’s Audit Committee discussed with representatives of the independent registered public accounting firm their firm’s independence. Based on its review of each Fund’s financial statements and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm and other written disclosure provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, each Fund’s Audit Committee recommended to its Fund’s Board that the audited financial statements be included in the annual report provided to shareholders for each Fund’s fiscal year ended 2022. The current members of each Fund’s Audit Committee are:

Catherine Schrand (Chair)

Richard J. Herring (Vice Chair)

John W. Ballantine

Mary Schmid Daugherty

14

Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee, which consists entirely of Independent Board Members, recommends individuals for membership on the Board, nominates officers, Board and committee chairs, vice chairs and committee members, and oversees the operations of the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee has not established specific, minimum qualifications that must be met by an individual to be considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee for nomination as a Board Member. The Nominating and Governance Committee may take into account a wide variety of factors in considering Board Member candidates, including, but not limited to: (i) availability and commitment of a candidate to attend meetings and perform his or her responsibilities to the Board, (ii) relevant industry and related experience, (iii) educational background, (iv) financial expertise, (v) an assessment of the candidate’s ability, judgment and expertise, and (vi) the current composition of the Board. Each Fund’s Nominating and Governance Committee generally believes that the Board benefits from diversity of background, experience and views among its members, and considers this as a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific policy in this regard. The Nominating and Governance Committee reviews recommendations by shareholders for candidates for Board positions on the same basis as candidates recommended by other sources. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Keith R. Fox, DWS Funds Board Chair, c/o Thomas R. Hiller, Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600. Each Fund’s Nominating and Governance Committee is governed by the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter, which is available at https://fundsus.dws.com/us/en-us/products/closed-end-funds/dws-strategic-municipal-income-trust.html#resources.

Each Fund’s Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised of only Independent Board Members who are “independent” as defined in the NYSE listing standards applicable to closed-end funds. The current members of each Fund’s Nominating and Governance Committee are Rebecca W. Rimel (Chair), John W. Ballantine (Vice Chair), Keith R. Fox and . Chad D. Perry. During the calendar year 2022, the Nominating and Governance Committee of each Fund’s Board held five (5) regular meetings.

Operations Committee. The Operations Committee, which consists entirely of Independent Board Members, reviews the administrative operations and general compliance matters of a Fund. The Operations Committee reviews administrative matters related to the operations of a Fund, policies and procedures relating to portfolio transactions, custody arrangements, fidelity bond and insurance arrangements and such other

15

tasks as the full Board deems necessary or appropriate. The current members of each Fund’s Operations Committee are William N. Searcy, Jr. (Chair), Dawn-Marie Driscoll (Vice Chair), Chad D. Perry and Rebecca W. Rimel. During the calendar year 2022, the Operations Committee of each Fund’s Board held five (5) meetings.

Ad Hoc Committees. In addition to the standing committees described above, from time to time the Board of each Fund may also form ad hoc committees to consider specific issues.

Required Vote

Each Fund will vote separately on the election of Board Member Nominees. For each Fund, a plurality of shares entitled to vote on the matter shall elect a Board Member Nominee.

Recommendation of the Board

The Board of your Fund believes that the election of each Board Member Nominee is in the best interests of your Fund. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that shareholders of each Fund vote FOR the election of each Board Member Nominee as set forth in the Proposal above.

16

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Each Fund’s Board, including the Independent Board Members, has selected Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) to act as independent registered public accounting firm to audit the books and records of the Fund for the current fiscal year. EY has served each Fund in this capacity since the Fund was organized and has no direct or indirect financial interest in either Fund except as the independent registered public accounting firm. Representatives of EY will not be present at the Meeting.

The following table shows the amount of fees that EY billed to (i) each Fund during the Fund’s last two fiscal years; and (ii) DIMA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with DIMA (collectively, the “DIMA Entities”) that provides ongoing services to each Fund, for engagements directly related to the Fund’s operations and financial reporting, during the Fund’s last two fiscal years. Each Fund’s Audit Committee approved in advance all audit services and non-audit services that EY provided to the Fund.

Services that each Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accountant Billed to the Fund and DIMA Entities

17

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

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

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

There were no amounts that were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception under Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) or Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X.

According to each Fund’s principal independent registered public accounting firm, substantially all of the principal independent registered public accounting firm’s hours spent on auditing the Fund’s financial statements were attributed to work performed by full-time permanent

18

employees of the principal independent registered public accounting firm.

In connection with the audit of the 2021 and 2022 financial statements, each Fund entered into an engagement letter with EY. The terms of the engagement letter required by EY, and agreed to by each Fund’s Audit Committee, include a provision mandating the use of mediation and arbitration to resolve any controversy or claim between the parties arising out of or relating to the engagement letter or the services provided thereunder.

Pursuant to PCAOB Rule 3526, EY is required to describe in writing to each Fund’s Audit Committee, on at least an annual basis, all relationships between EY, or any of its affiliates, and the DWS funds, including each Fund, or persons in financial reporting oversight roles at the DWS funds that, as of the date of the communication, may reasonably be thought to bear on EY’s independence. Pursuant to PCAOB Rule 3526, EY has reported the matters set forth below that may reasonably be thought to bear on EY’s independence. With respect to each reported matter in the aggregate, EY advised the Audit Committee that, after careful consideration of the facts and circumstances and the applicable independence rules, it concluded that the matters do not and will not impair EY’s ability to exercise objective and impartial judgment in connection with the audits of the financial statements for each Fund and a reasonable investor with knowledge of all relevant facts and circumstances would conclude that EY has been and is capable of exercising objective and impartial judgment on all issues encompassed within EY’s audit engagements. EY also confirmed to the Audit Committee that it can continue act as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for each Fund.

19

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Quorum and Required Vote. Proxies are being solicited from each Fund’s shareholders by the respective Fund’s Board for the Meeting. Unless revoked, all valid proxies will be voted in accordance with the specification thereon or, in the absence of specification, FOR the election of all Board Member Nominees and as the persons named in the proxy determine on such other business as may come before the Meeting. However, should any Board Member Nominee become unable or unwilling to serve prior to the Meeting, the persons named as proxies may vote your shares for substitute nominees, if any, recommended by the Board. Except for Board Members elected solely by the Preferred Shareholders of each Fund, if an annual meeting is called for the purpose of considering the election of Board Members, and a then-current Board Member up for election is not elected and such Board Member’s successor is not elected and qualified, then the current Board Member shall remain a member of the relevant class, holding office until the annual meeting held in the third succeeding year after such annual meeting is initially called and until the election and qualification of such Board Member’s successor, if any, or until such current Board Member sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed. For Board Members elected solely by the Preferred Shareholders of each Fund, if a Board Member does not receive the required vote, such Board Member will continue to serve until the next annual meeting of the Fund and until his or her successor has been elected and qualifies.

For each Fund, the presence at the Meeting of 30% of the shares of such Fund outstanding and entitled to vote at the Meeting constitutes a quorum for the Meeting. Thus, the meeting for a particular Fund could not take place on its scheduled date if less than 30% of the shares of that Fund were represented. The tellers will count shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions and “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote, and (ii) the broker or nominee does not have the discretionary voting power on a particular matter) as shares that are present and entitled to vote on the matter for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

For each Fund, any meeting of shareholders may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Adjournment will subject a Fund to additional expenses.

For each Fund, each whole share is entitled to one vote and each fractional share is entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. For each Fund, a plurality of shares entitled to vote shall elect a Board Member

20

Nominee. As noted previously, the Preferred Shareholders of each Fund, voting as a separate class for each respective Fund, are entitled to elect two (2) Board Members and the holders of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares of each Fund, voting together as a single class for each respective Fund, are entitled to elect two (2) Board Members. For each Fund, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the Proposal.

Record Date and Method of Tabulation. Shareholders of record of each Fund at the close of business on August 21, 2023 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. As of the Record Date, shares of each Fund were issued and outstanding as follows:

Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting will be counted by persons appointed by the Funds as tellers for the Meeting. Shareholders will vote by individual Fund on the Proposal.

Share Ownership. As of the Record Date, each Fund knows of no person who beneficially owns more than 5% of any of the outstanding shares of a class of the Fund, except as follows:

21

22

Collectively, for each Fund, the Board Members and executive officers of the Fund own less than 1% of such Fund’s outstanding shares as of August 1, 2023. As of August 1, 2023, the Independent Board Members and executive officers did not own any Preferred Shares of KTF or KSM. The number of shares beneficially owned is determined under rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose.

Proxy Costs and Solicitation of Proxies. Each Fund will pay its costs of preparing, printing and mailing the enclosed Proxy Card and Proxy Statement and all other costs incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies, including any additional solicitation made by letter or telephone. In addition to solicitations by mail, solicitations also may be made by telephone, through the Internet or in person by officers and representatives of each Fund, by officers and employees of DIMA and by certain financial services firms and their representatives, who will receive no extra compensation for their services. Georgeson LLC has been engaged to assist in the solicitation of proxies for each Fund at an estimated cost of $10,017 for KTF and $9,059 for KSM, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. However, the exact cost will depend on the amount and types of services rendered. If shareholders record votes by telephone or through the Internet, the proxy solicitor will use procedures designed to authenticate shareholders’ identities, to allow shareholders to authorize the voting of their shares in accordance with their instructions and to allow shareholders to confirm that their instructions have been recorded properly.

If a shareholder wishes to participate in the Meeting, but does not wish to give a proxy by telephone or via the Internet, the shareholder may still submit the Proxy Card(s) originally sent with this Proxy Statement or attend the Meeting in person. Should shareholders require additional information regarding the proxy or replacement Proxy Card(s) or for directions on how to attend the Meeting in person, they may call Georgeson LLC toll-free at 1-866-296-6841. Any proxy given by a shareholder is revocable until voted at the Meeting.

23

As the Meeting date approaches, certain shareholders of the Funds may receive a telephone call from a representative of Georgeson LLC if their votes have not yet been received.

Persons holding shares as nominees will, upon request, be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses in soliciting instructions from their principals. The Funds will pay the costs of solicitation, including (a) the printing and mailing of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying materials, (b) the reimbursement of brokerage firms and others for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of each Fund’s shares, (c) payment to Georgeson LLC for its services in soliciting proxies and (d) supplementary solicitations to submit proxies.

One Proxy Statement may be delivered to two or more shareholders of a Fund who share an address, unless a Fund has received instructions to the contrary. To request a separate copy of the Proxy Statement, which will be delivered upon written or oral request, or for instructions as to how to request a single copy if multiple copies are received, shareholders should call 800-349-4281 or write to your Fund at 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

Revocation of Proxies. Proxies, including proxies given by telephone or via the Internet, may be revoked at any time before they are voted either (i) by a written revocation received by the Secretary of your Fund at 100 Summer Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02110, (ii) by properly submitting a later-dated Proxy Card that is received by the Fund at or prior to the Meeting or (iii) by attending the Meeting and voting in person. Merely attending the Meeting without voting, however, will not revoke a proxy previously given.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance. Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act and Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 require each Fund’s officers and Board Members, DIMA, affiliated persons of DIMA and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Fund’s equity securities to file forms reporting their affiliation with that Fund and reports of ownership and changes in ownership of that Fund’s shares with the SEC. These persons and entities are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Funds with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon its review of the copies of such forms received by it, and written representations from certain reporting persons that no year-end reports were required for those persons, each Fund believes that during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, all filings required by Section 16(a) were timely.

Investment Advisor and Administrator. DIMA, 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, serves as each Fund’s investment advisor and administrator. DIMA is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of DWS

24

Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group”). DWS Group is a publicly-listed financial services firm that is an indirect, majority-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. The DWS brand represents the DWS Group and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc., which offers investment products, or DIMA and RREEF America L.L.C., which offer advisory services.

SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Shareholders wishing to submit proposals for inclusion in a proxy statement for a shareholders’ meeting to be held in 2024 should send their written proposals to the Secretary of the applicable Fund at the following address: DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc., 100 Summer Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02110.

It is currently anticipated that the next annual meeting of each Fund will be held in September 2024. A shareholder wishing to submit a proposal for inclusion in a Fund’s proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 should send such written proposal along with all information required by the advanced notice provisions of the Amended and Restated By-Laws as described in the next paragraph to the Secretary of the Fund within a reasonable time before the solicitation of proxies for such meeting. A Fund will treat any such proposal received no later than May 4, 2024 as timely. The timely submission of a proposal, however, does not guarantee its inclusion.

Each Fund has established advance notice requirements pursuant to its Amended and Restated By-Laws for the submission of shareholder proposals, including proposals pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to be considered by shareholders at an annual meeting, which do not apply to holders of Preferred Shares of each Fund to the extent set forth in the applicable By-Laws. Pursuant to the advance notice provisions of each Fund’s Amended and Restated By-Laws for nominations of individuals for election to the Board or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to the advance notice provisions, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Fund and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the shareholders. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice shall set forth all information required pursuant to the advance notice requirements and shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Fund not earlier than April 4, 2024 nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 4, 2024. However, in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so

25

delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Each Fund’s advance notice requirements are set forth in Exhibit D. The timely submission of a proposal, however, does not guarantee that it will be considered at the applicable annual meeting.

OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

No Board Member is aware of any matters that will be presented for action at the Meeting other than the matters set forth herein. Should any other matters requiring a vote of shareholders arise, the proxy in the accompanying form will confer upon the person or persons entitled to vote the shares represented by such proxy the discretionary authority to vote the shares as to any such other matters in accordance with their best judgment in the interest of each respective Fund.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS PROXY STATEMENT OR THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED TO EXECUTE AND TO DELIVER A PROXY CARD, PLEASE CONTACT GEORGESON LLC AT 1-866-296-6841.

SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING AND WHO WISH TO HAVE THEIR SHARES VOTED ARE REQUESTED TO DATE AND TO SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND TO RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, OR TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD FOR VOTING BY TELEPHONE OR THROUGH THE INTERNET.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2023:

The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and Proxy Card(s) are available at www.proxy-direct.com/dws-33414.

26

EXHIBIT A

BOARD MEMBER SHARE OWNERSHIP

As of August 1, 2023, the Board Members and the officers of each Fund as a whole owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Funds.

The following tables show the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned and the number of shares beneficially owned by each Board Member Nominee and continuing Board Member in each Fund as of August 1, 2023.

Under its Board Governance Policies, each Fund’s Board has established the expectation that within three years of becoming a Board Member, a Board Member will have invested in the aggregate at least $315,000 in the DWS funds.

Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned

A-1

EXHIBIT B

OFFICERS⁽¹⁾

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each officer below is 100 Summer Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02110.

B-1

B-2

B-3

EXHIBIT C

BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION

The table below shows (i) the compensation paid to each current Independent Board Member by each Fund for its most recently completed fiscal year and (ii) the total compensation received by each current Independent Board Member from the DWS fund complex for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022. No Independent Board Member of the Funds receives pension or retirement benefits from the Funds.

C-1

EXHIBIT D

ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR

DWS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST (“KTF”)

DWS STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST (“KSM”)

The following is an excerpt from the Amended and Restated By-Laws for KTF and KSM. The excerpt is qualified in its entirety by the complete Amended and Restated By-Laws for KTF and KSM. Any terms not defined herein have the meaning set forth in the Amended and Restated By-Laws.

D-1

D-2

D-3

D-4

D-5

D-6

D-7

D-8

D-9

D-10

CE-Proxy-CEF.2023