UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811- 21416

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Salvatore Schiavone

Treasurer

601 Congress Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02210
(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-663-4497

 

Date of fiscal year end: October 31
   
Date of reporting period: April 30, 2016

 


 

ITEM 1. SHAREHOLDERS REPORT.

 


 


John Hancock

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

Ticker: HTD
Semiannual report 4/30/16

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A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

The past six months proved to be a challenging time for U.S. equity investors. Many market indexes tumbled in the winter months amid concerns about slowing global growth, particularly in China. The volatility extended to commodity markets, as oil prices hit multi-year lows in February before rebounding toward the end of the period. The investment landscape improved late in the period as stocks and other so-called risk assets regained positive momentum and most U.S. indexes finished the period with modest gains.

Volatile market environments are naturally unsettling. But despite the recent turbulence, we believe the economic picture in the United States offers reasons for optimism. Unemployment and inflation both remain low, while the housing market and consumer demand have both shown signs of resilience. Nonetheless, the volatility that characterized the markets at the start of the year could be with us for some time.

At John Hancock Investments, portfolio risk management is a critical part of our role as an asset manager, and our dedicated risk team is focused on these issues every day. We continually strive for new ways to analyze potential risks and to ensure that we have adequate liquidity tools in place. As always, your best resource in times like these is your financial advisor, who can help make sure your portfolio is sufficiently diversified to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable bumps along the way.

On behalf of everyone at John Hancock Investments, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for the continued trust you've placed in us.

Sincerely,

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Andrew G. Arnott
President and Chief Executive Officer
John Hancock Investments

This commentary reflects the CEO's views as of April 30, 2016. They are subject to change at any time. All investments entail risks, including the possible loss of principal. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or eliminate the risk of a loss. For more up-to-date information, you can visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
4   Discussion of fund performance
8   Fund's investments
13   Financial statements
17   Financial highlights
18   Notes to financial statements
27   Additional information
28   Shareholder meeting
29   More information

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks to provide a high level of after-tax total return from dividend income and gains and capital appreciation.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 4/30/16 (%)


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The index shown is a blended index that is 55% Bank of America Merrill Lynch Preferred Stock DRD Eligible Index and 45% S&P 500 Utilities Index.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch Preferred Stock DRD Eligible Index consists of investment-grade fixed-rate U.S. dollar-denominated preferred securities and fixed-to-floating-rate securities. The index includes securities having a minimum remaining term of at least one year, Dividend Received Deduction (DRD) eligible preferred stock and senior debt.

The S&P 500 Utilities Index is a capitalization-weighted index that consists of companies in the S&P 500 Index that are primarily involved in water, electrical power, and natural gas distribution industries.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

The fund's most recent performance and current annualized distribution rate can be found at jhinvestments.com.

If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.

The performance data contained within this material represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results.

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS


Dividend-paying securities generated solid gains

Falling interest rates outside of the United States, fears of a recession, and heightened stock market volatility stoked demand for utilities, energy-related common stocks, and preferred securities.

Energy-related holdings performed well

Pipeline company holdings benefited from a rebound in oil prices, as well as investors' growing demand for energy companies whose revenues are driven by fees rather than commodity prices.

Foreign banks detracted

Negative interest rates in Europe and Japan eroded bank earnings.

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AS OF 4/30/16 (%)


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A note about risks

As is the case with all closed-end funds, shares of this fund may trade at a discount or a premium to the fund's net asset value (NAV). An investment in the fund is subject to investment and market risks, including the possible loss of the entire principal invested. There is no guarantee prior distribution levels will be maintained, and distributions may include a substantial return of capital. Fixed-income investments are subject to interest-rate and credit risk; their value will normally decline as interest rates rise or if a creditor, grantor, or counterparty is unable or unwilling to make principal, interest, or settlement payments. Investments in higher-yielding, lower-rated securities are subject to a higher risk of default. An issuer of securities held by the fund may default, have its credit rating downgraded, or otherwise perform poorly, which may affect fund performance. Liquidity—the extent to which a security may be sold or a derivative position closed without negatively affecting its market value, if at all—may be impaired by reduced trading volume, heightened volatility, rising interest rates, and other market conditions. The fund's use of leverage creates additional risks, including greater volatility of the fund's NAV, market price, and returns. There is no assurance that the fund's leverage strategy will be successful. Focusing on a particular industry or sector may increase the fund's volatility and make it more susceptible to market, economic, and regulatory risks as well as other factors affecting those industries or sectors. Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions may increase a fund's volatility and could produce disproportionate losses, potentially more than the fund's principal investment.

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       3


Discussion of fund performance

An interview with Portfolio Manager Gregory K. Phelps, John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC

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Gregory K. Phelps
Portfolio Manager
John Hancock Asset Management

What was the market environment like for dividend-paying securities during the six months ended April 30, 2016?

Dividend-paying securities—which are traditionally viewed as a more attractive investment during times of economic uncertainty, heightened market volatility, and low interest rates—generated solid gains. At the beginning of the period, many dividend-paying stocks were under pressure in response to expectations that U.S. interest rates were poised to rise. Instead, long-term interest rates fell in early 2016, making income-producing investments relatively more attractive to many investors. As compensation for their higher risk, dividend-paying securities tend to pay more than comparable bonds. Fears of recession, which were felt most acutely in February, further stoked demand for dividend-paying securities, offering haven to investors seeking refuge from significant declines in broader stock market averages.

While utility securities benefited the most from those trends, other segments of the dividend-paying universe were further bolstered by factors unique to their respective sectors. Energy common stocks, for example, enjoyed a partial, yet impressive, rebound from their extremely poor performance in 2015. Oil prices moved higher, leading bargain-seeking investors looking to the energy sector with expectations that revenue and earnings could rebound as well if the current oil glut dwindled as production halts started to weigh on supply. Preferred securities were helped by muted new issuance, as most issuers refrained from bringing new preferred securities to the marketplace. With common stock dividend cuts continuing to accelerate during the past six months, there was growing demand for preferred dividend payouts, which have precedence over common stock dividends. While financial stocks were generally down for the period, many financial preferreds, led by U.S. banks, also fared comparatively well, as they restructured and strengthened their capital structures since the 2007/2008 financial crisis.

What's your view on dividend-paying securities?

Given their strong gains during the prior six months, dividend-paying securities ended the period less attractively valued than they were at the beginning of the period; their upside may be limited over the short term. That said, we believe dividend-paying securities can hold on to their recent

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       4


"Dividend-paying securities—which are traditionally viewed as a more attractive investment during times of economic uncertainty, heightened market volatility, and low interest rates—generated solid gains."
gains for the balance of 2016. The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) has lowered its forward rate hike guidance to indicate a more gradual pace than the central bank had suggested at the end of 2015. Given the Fed's more dovish tone, our view is that rate hikes in 2016 will be few and far between, totaling one or two 0.25% increases and most likely occurring in the second half of the year. In our view, dividend-paying securities should be able to weather a couple of small and gradual increases in the federal funds rate. Furthermore, low long-term U.S. Treasury yields make the comparatively high yields offered by dividend-paying securities more attractive to income-seeking investors. Muted supply should also be supportive. We don't foresee any meaningful uptick in the supply of dividend-paying preferred or common stocks on the horizon.

What holdings contributed to performance?

Some of the portfolio's energy-related investments were among its best performers for the six-month period. Pipeline companies, such as the common stock of Spectra Energy Corp. and Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc., performed quite well. Investors began to recognize that pipeline company revenues were fee based rather than commodity price dependent. Spectra's decision to raise its dividend in February was a plus for that holding. Columbia Pipeline rallied further on the mid-March announcement of its planned merger with TransCanada Corporation. Also in the energy sector, Chevron Corp. and ONEOK, Inc. generated positive returns.

SECTOR COMPOSITION AS OF 4/30/16 (%)


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SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       5


"In our view, dividend-paying securities should be able to weather a couple of small and gradual increases in the federal funds rate."

Among holdings in the utilities sector, Black Hills Corp. was one of the portfolio's standouts. The company completed the acquisition of a natural gas utility expected to enhance regulated earnings and lower its risk profile. Other positive performers in this sector included Alliant Energy Corp., Talen Energy Corp., and Questar Corp.

What hurt the fund's performance?

Detracting from the fund's results was the preferred stock of Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust. Interest rates in some Eueropean countries went negative during the period, eroding bank earnings on the Continent; concerns about nonperforming loans also weighed on the stock. Another disappointment was the preferred stock of DTE Energy Company, whose price languished as it moved closer to its potential December 2016 call date. Given that the company can call these securities at par at year end, their upside potential was limited. Conoco Phillips and Kinder Morgan Inc. also generated negative returns. Our use of derivative such as futures, options, and swaps also had a negative impact on performance.

Were there any significant changes to the portfolio?

At about midpoint in the period, we sold some of the fund's lower-yielding utility holdings at prices we viewed as attractive given the very strong demand for such stocks at the time. In many cases, we used the proceeds from those sales to purchase more of the higher-yielding pipeline companies the fund already held, including Spectra. We felt that these securities were very attractively valued, especially given our view that oil prices had bottomed at that time and were set to move higher. We

TOP 10 ISSUERS AS OF 4/30/16 (%)


   
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 3.6
PPL Corp. 3.5
Morgan Stanley 3.3
Wells Fargo & Company 3.0
American Electric Power Company, Inc. 2.8
Interstate Power & Light Company 2.8
Vectren Corp. 2.8
SCE Trust 2.7
Spectra Energy Corp. 2.7
BB&T Corp. 2.5
TOTAL 29.7
As a percentage of total investments  
Cash and cash equivalents are not included.  

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       6


were further encouraged by the fact that pipeline companies were reporting that their revenues hadn't been negatively affected by low oil prices, and that some of these companies actually raised their dividends. We also increased the fund's preferred shares in Kinder Morgan.

MANAGED BY


   
 gregorykphelps.jpg Gregory K. Phelps, JHAM
On the fund since inception
Investing since 1981
 josephbozoyan.jpg Joseph H. Bozoyan, CFA, JHAM
On the fund since 2015
Investing since 1993
 gregorymcmurran.jpg Gregory McMurran, Analytic Investors
On the fund since 2009
Investing since 1976
 dennisbein.jpg Dennis Bein, CFA, Analytic Investors
On the fund since 2009
Investing since 1992
 harindradesilva.jpg Harindra de Silva, Ph.D., CFA, Analytic Investors
On the fund since 2009
Investing since 1988

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The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Gregory K. Phelps, John Hancock Asset Management, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       7


Fund's investments

 



                                               
  As of 4-30-16 (unaudited)  
        Shares     Value  
  Common stocks 69.6% (47.1% of Total investments)     $622,270,127  
  (Cost $451,324,365)  
  Energy 12.9%     115,147,451  
  Oil, gas and consumable fuels 12.9%  
  BP PLC, ADR     187,500     6,296,250  
  Chevron Corp.     40,000     4,087,200  
  Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc.     690,000     17,677,800  
  ConocoPhillips     195,000     9,319,050  
  Kinder Morgan, Inc.     232,000     4,120,320  
  ONEOK, Inc. (L)(Z)     534,800     19,333,020  
  Royal Dutch Shell PLC, ADR, Class A     301,000     15,919,890  
  Spectra Energy Corp.     1,130,442     35,348,921  
  Total SA, ADR     60,000     3,045,000  
  Materials 0.1%     910,000  
  Metals and mining 0.1%  
  Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. (L)(Z)     65,000     910,000  
  Telecommunication services 2.5%     21,999,013  
  Diversified telecommunication services 1.8%  
  AT&T, Inc. (L)(Z)     250,000     9,705,000  
  Verizon Communications, Inc. (L)(Z)     129,160     6,579,410  
  Wireless telecommunication services 0.7%  
  Vodafone Group PLC, ADR     174,545     5,714,603  
  Utilities 54.1%     484,213,663  
  Electric utilities 24.6%  
  American Electric Power Company, Inc. (L)(Z)     590,000     37,465,000  
  Avangrid, Inc. (I)(L)(Z)     475,000     19,047,500  
  Duke Energy Corp. (L)(Z)     320,000     25,209,600  
  Entergy Corp. (L)(Z)     298,000     22,403,640  
  Eversource Energy (L)(Z)     490,000     27,655,600  
  FirstEnergy Corp. (L)(Z)     582,500     18,983,675  
  OGE Energy Corp. (C)(L)     540,000     15,978,600  
  Pinnacle West Capital Corp.     50,000     3,632,500  
  PPL Corp. (L)(Z)     500,000     18,820,000  
  The Southern Company (L)(Z)     375,000     18,787,500  
  Xcel Energy, Inc. (L)(Z)     300,000     12,009,000  
  Gas utilities 5.4%  
  AGL Resources, Inc.     30,000     1,975,800  
  Atmos Energy Corp. (L)(Z)     350,000     25,392,500  
  Northwest Natural Gas Company     30,000     1,546,200  
  ONE Gas, Inc.     170,000     9,939,900  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       8


                                               
        Shares     Value  
  Utilities  (continued)        
  Gas utilities  (continued)  
  Questar Corp.     372,800     $9,346,096  
  Independent power and renewable electricity producers 0.1%  
  Talen Energy Corp. (I)     62,453     728,202  
  Multi-utilities 24.0%  
  Alliant Energy Corp.     195,000     13,751,400  
  Ameren Corp. (L)(Z)     540,000     25,920,000  
  Black Hills Corp.     440,000     26,659,600  
  CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (L)(Z)     1,020,000     21,879,000  
  Dominion Resources, Inc. (L)(Z)     400,000     28,588,000  
  DTE Energy Company     250,000     22,290,000  
  National Grid PLC, ADR     255,000     18,362,550  
  NiSource, Inc.     770,000     17,486,700  
  Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. (L)(Z)     70,000     3,229,100  
  Vectren Corp.     760,000     37,126,000  
  Preferred securities 77.0% (52.2% of Total investments)     $688,752,588  
  (Cost $641,475,042)  
  Energy 3.0%     26,915,520  
  Oil, gas and consumable fuels 3.0%  
  Kinder Morgan, Inc., 9.750%           609,500     26,915,520  
  Financials 49.8%     445,837,150  
  Banks 30.4%  
  Bank of America Corp., 6.375% (Z)           139,000     3,584,810  
  Bank of America Corp., 6.500% (Z)           153,476     4,051,766  
  Bank of America Corp., 6.625% (Z)           355,000     9,453,650  
  Bank of America Corp., Depositary Shares, Series D, 6.204% (Z)           230,000     5,920,200  
  Barclays Bank PLC, Series 5, 8.125% (C)           610,000     16,091,800  
  BB&T Corp., 5.625% (Z)           606,000     15,586,320  
  BB&T Corp. (Callable 11-1-17), 5.200% (Z)           225,000     5,692,500  
  BB&T Corp. (Callable 6-1-18), 5.200% (Z)           480,000     12,120,000  
  Citigroup, Inc. (6.875% to 11-15-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.130%) (Z)           35,000     965,650  
  Citigroup, Inc. (7.125% to 9-30-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.040%) (Z)           163,997     4,585,356  
  Citigroup, Inc., Depositary Shares, Series AA, 8.125% (Z)           270,400     7,768,592  
  HSBC Holdings PLC, 8.000% (C)           325,000     8,612,500  
  HSBC Holdings PLC, 8.125% (Z)           50,000     1,359,500  
  HSBC USA, Inc., 6.500%           19,500     507,585  
  ING Groep NV, 6.200% (Z)           109,100     2,812,598  
  ING Groep NV, 7.050% (Z)           150,000     3,948,000  
  JPMorgan Chase & Co., 5.450% (Z)           245,000     6,242,600  
  JPMorgan Chase & Co., 5.500% (Z)           980,000     24,784,200  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       9


                                               
        Shares     Value  
  Financials  (continued)        
  Banks  (continued)  
  JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.100% (Z)           510,000     $13,326,300  
  JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.125% (Z)           98,888     2,581,966  
  JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.700% (Z)           30,000     828,900  
  RBS Capital Funding Trust VII, 6.080%           970,000     23,813,500  
  Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Series L, 5.750% (L)(Z)           760,000     18,392,000  
  Santander Holdings USA, Inc., Series C, 7.300%           120,000     3,090,000  
  The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., 5.375% (C)           280,000     7,221,200  
  The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (6.125% to 5-1-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.067%) (Z)           40,000     1,156,400  
  U.S. Bancorp, 5.150% (C)           720,000     18,900,000  
  U.S. Bancorp (6.500% to 1-15-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.468%) (Z)           296,000     8,749,760  
  Wells Fargo & Company, 6.000% (Z)           215,000     5,725,450  
  Wells Fargo & Company, 8.000% (Z)           1,200,000     33,804,000  
  Capital markets 15.9%  
  Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust II, 6.550% (C)           310,000     7,719,000  
  Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust III, 7.600%           797,893     20,681,387  
  Morgan Stanley, 6.625% (Z)           1,057,915     28,606,022  
  Morgan Stanley (6.375% to 10-15-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.708%) (Z)           220,000     5,834,400  
  Morgan Stanley (7.125% to 10-15-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.320%) (Z)           300,000     8,625,000  
  State Street Corp., 5.250% (Z)           910,000     23,860,200  
  State Street Corp., 6.000% (Z)           192,065     5,189,596  
  State Street Corp. (5.900% to 3-15-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.108%) (Z)           25,000     679,250  
  The Bank of New York Mellon Corp., 5.200% (Z)           425,000     10,901,250  
  The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 5.950% (C)           950,000     24,377,000  
  The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series B, 6.200%           215,000     5,478,200  
  Consumer finance 3.0%  
  Capital One Financial Corp., 6.700% (Z)           126,569     3,473,053  
  Capital One Financial Corp., 6.200% (Z)           80,000     2,112,800  
  HSBC Finance Corp., Depositary Shares, Series B, 6.360%           700,000     18,158,000  
  SLM Corp., Series A, 6.970%           74,000     3,496,500  
  Insurance 0.4%  
  Aegon NV, 6.500%           96,512     2,523,789  
  Prudential Financial, Inc., 5.750% (Z)           40,000     1,055,600  
  Real estate investment trusts 0.1%  
  Ventas Realty LP, 5.450%           45,000     1,155,600  
  Thrifts and mortgage finance 0.0%  
  Federal National Mortgage Association, Series S, 8.250% (I)           60,000     233,400  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       10


                                               
        Shares     Value  
  Industrials 0.4%     $3,288,750  
  Machinery 0.4%  
  Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., 5.750%           125,000     3,288,750  
  Telecommunication services 5.4%     48,198,070  
  Diversified telecommunication services 3.6%  
  Qwest Corp., 6.125%           730,000     17,877,700  
  Qwest Corp., 7.375%           366,000     9,354,960  
  Qwest Corp., 7.500%           120,000     3,085,200  
  Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.900% (Z)           60,000     1,646,250  
  Wireless telecommunication services 1.8%  
  Telephone & Data Systems, Inc., 5.875%           340,000     8,496,600  
  Telephone & Data Systems, Inc., 6.625%           30,000     772,200  
  Telephone & Data Systems, Inc., 6.875%           243,000     6,201,360  
  United States Cellular Corp., 6.950%           30,000     763,800  
  Utilities 18.4%     164,513,098  
  Electric utilities 16.1%  
  Duke Energy Corp., 5.125% (Z)           210,000     5,523,000  
  Entergy Arkansas, Inc., 4.560%           9,388     911,517  
  Entergy Arkansas, Inc., 6.450%           135,000     3,483,000  
  Entergy Mississippi, Inc., 4.920%           8,190     813,626  
  Entergy Mississippi, Inc., 6.250% (C)           197,500     5,026,375  
  Gulf Power Company, 5.600%           100,155     10,255,602  
  Interstate Power & Light Company, 5.100%           1,380,000     37,370,400  
  Mississippi Power Company, 5.250%           257,500     6,728,475  
  NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc., 5.000% (Z)           110,000     2,787,400  
  NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc., 5.700% (Z)           225,000     5,829,750  
  PPL Capital Funding, Inc., 5.900% (Z)           1,010,000     26,936,700  
  SCE Trust I, 5.625%           143,777     3,679,253  
  SCE Trust II, 5.100%           1,275,000     32,193,750  
  The Southern Company, 6.250% (Z)           80,000     2,165,600  
  Multi-utilities 2.3%  
  BGE Capital Trust II, 6.200%           247,000     6,422,000  
  DTE Energy Company, 5.250% (C)           165,000     4,275,150  
  DTE Energy Company, 6.500%           175,000     4,567,500  
  Integrys Holding, Inc. (6.000% to 8-1-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.220%)           210,000     5,544,000  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       11


                                               
        Rate (%)     Maturity date     Par value^     Value  
  Corporate bonds 0.4% (0.2% of Total investments)     $3,291,000  
  (Cost $3,000,000)  
  Utilities 0.4%     3,291,000  
  Electric utilities 0.4%  
  Southern California Edison Company (6.250% to 2-1-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.199%) (L)(Q)(Z)     6.250     02-01-22     3,000,000     3,291,000  
        Yield* (%)     Maturity date     Par value^     Value  
  Short-term investments 0.7% (0.5% of Total investments)     $6,167,977  
  (Cost $6,167,977)  
  U.S. Government Agency 0.5%     4,081,977  
  Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Note     0.200     05-02-16     4,082,000     4,081,977  
              Par value^     Value  
  Repurchase agreement 0.2%     2,086,000  
  Repurchase Agreement with State Street Corp. dated 4-29-16 at 0.030% to be repurchased at $2,086,005 on 5-2-16, collateralized by $1,935,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 3.125% due 5-15-21 (valued at $2,132,494, including interest).           2,086,000     $2,086,000  
  Total investments (Cost $1,101,967,384)† 147.7%     $1,320,481,692  
  Other assets and liabilities, net (47.7%)     ($426,157,031 )
  Total net assets 100.0%     $894,324,661  

                                               
  The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.  
  ^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.  
  Key to Security Abbreviations and Legend  
  ADR     American Depositary Receipts  
  LIBOR     London Interbank Offered Rate  
  (C)     All or a portion of this security is segregated as collateral for options. Total collateral value at 4-30-16 was $103,405,567.  
  (I)     Non-income producing security.  
  (L)     A portion of this security is on loan as of 4-30-16, and is a component of the fund's leverage under the Liquidity Agreement. The value of securities on loan amounted to $271,428,461.  
  (Q)     Perpetual bonds have no stated maturity date. Date shown as maturity date is next call date.  
  (Z)     A portion of this security is segregated as collateral pursuant to the Liquidity Agreement. Total collateral value at 4-30-16 was $574,778,119.  
  *     Yield represents either the annualized yield at the date of purchase, the stated coupon rate or, for floating rate securities, the rate at period end.  
      At 4-30-16, the aggregate cost of investment securities for federal income tax purposes was $1,108,484,177. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $211,997,515, of which $236,859,318 related to appreciated investment securities and $24,861,803 related to depreciated investment securities.  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       12


Financial statements

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 4-30-16 (unaudited)


     
 
 
Assets    
Investments, at value (Cost $1,101,967,384)   $1,320,481,692
Cash   13,348
Cash held at broker for futures contracts   1,225,000
Cash segregated at custodian for derivative contracts   560,000
Receivable for investments sold   2,566,072
Dividends and interest receivable   2,742,611
Other receivables and prepaid expenses   32,666
Total assets   1,327,621,389
Liabilities    
Liquidity agreement payable   427,900,000
Payable for investments purchased   3,009,193
Written options, at value (premium received $1,622,183)   1,200,975
Swap contracts, at value   626,785
Payable for futures variation margin   107,185
Interest payable   378,922
Payable to affiliates    
Accounting and legal services fees   17,119
Trustees' fees   3,528
Other liabilities and accrued expenses   53,021
Total liabilities   433,296,728
Net assets   $894,324,661
Net assets consist of    
Paid-in capital   $658,330,704
Undistributed net investment income   5,224,627
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts, options written and swap agreements   11,785,116
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, futures contracts, options written and swap agreements   218,984,214
Net assets   $894,324,661
     
Net asset value per share    
Based on 35,384,961 shares of beneficial interest outstanding — unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value   $25.27

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       13


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  For the six months ended 4-30-16 (unaudited)


                                   
   
   
                             
  Investment income                    
  Dividends                 $32,089,102  
  Interest                 95,384  
  Less foreign taxes withheld                 (88,603 )
  Total investment income                 32,095,883  
  Expenses                    
  Investment management fees                 4,716,731  
  Accounting and legal services fees                 118,367  
  Transfer agent fees                 13,603  
  Trustees' fees                 23,995  
  Printing and postage                 54,275  
  Professional fees                 52,693  
  Custodian fees                 51,682  
  Stock exchange listing fees                 18,212  
  Interest expense                 2,202,094  
  Other                 18,054  
  Total expenses                 7,269,706  
  Less expense reductions                 (45,714 )
  Net expenses                 7,223,992  
  Net investment income                 24,871,891  
  Realized and unrealized gain (loss)                    
  Net realized gain (loss) on                    
  Investments                 25,630,899  
  Futures contracts                 (1,702,015 )
  Written options                 (1,159,718 )
  Swap contracts                 (651,549 )
                    22,117,617  
  Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of                    
  Investments                 41,068,105  
  Futures contracts                 841,799  
  Written options                 1,587,541  
  Swap contracts                 623,966  
                    44,121,411  
  Net realized and unrealized gain                 66,239,028  
  Increase in net assets from operations                 $91,110,919  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       14


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

   
   
                       
                    Six months ended 4-30-16                       Year ended 10-31-15        
                    (unaudited)                                
  Increase (decrease) in net assets                                      
  From operations                                      
  Net investment income                 $24,871,891                 $50,428,688  
  Net realized gain                 22,117,617                 20,398,425  
  Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                 44,121,411                 (37,204,878 )
  Increase in net assets resulting from operations                 91,110,919                 33,622,235  
  Distributions to shareholders                                      
  From net investment income                 (25,822,412 )               (53,304,313 )
  From fund share transactions                                      
  Repurchased                 (6,678,427 )               (27,270,838 )
  Total increase (decrease)                 58,610,080                 (46,952,916 )
  Net assets                                      
  Beginning of period                 835,714,581                 882,667,497  
  End of period                 $894,324,661                 $835,714,581  
  Undistributed net investment income                 $5,224,627                 $6,175,148  
  Share activity                                      
  Shares outstanding                                      
  Beginning of period                 35,711,161                 37,052,501  
  Shares repurchased                 (326,200 )               (1,341,340 )
  End of period                 35,384,961                 35,711,161  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       15


STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the six months ended 4-30-16 (unaudited)


           
           
  Cash flows from operating activities        
  Net increase in net assets from operations     $91,110,919  
  Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:  
  Long-term investments purchased     (78,503,762)  
  Long-term investments sold     83,354,508  
  Decrease in short-term investments     4,450,023  
  Decrease in cash held at broker for futures contracts     98,000  
  Decrease in cash segregated at custodian for derivative contracts     700,000  
  Increase in receivable for investments sold     (2,316,072)  
  Decrease in dividends and interest receivable     18,876  
  Increase in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts     (623,966)  
  Increase in other receivables and prepaid expenses     (18,247)  
  Increase in payable for investments purchased     3,009,193  
  Decrease in payable for written options     (2,208,550)  
  Increase in futures variation margin     30,627  
  Increase in payable to affiliates     2,414  
  Decrease in other liabilities and accrued expenses     (70,119)  
  Increase in interest payable     48,952  
  Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments     (41,068,113)  
  Net realized gain on investments     (25,630,899)  
  Net cash provided by operating activities     $32,383,784  
  Cash flows from financing activities        
  Repurchase of common shares     ($6,678,427)  
  Distributions to common shareholders     (25,822,412)  
  Net cash used in financing activities     ($32,500,839 )
  Net decrease in cash     ($117,055 )
  Cash at beginning of period     $130,403  
  Cash at end of period     $13,348  
  Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:        
  Cash paid for interest     $2,153,142  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       16


Financial highlights

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
         
         
         
  COMMON SHARES Period Ended     4-30-161           10-31-15           10-31-14           10-31-13           10-31-12           10-31-11  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                                    
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $23.40                 $23.82                 $20.65                 $20.49                 $18.27                 $16.58  
  Net investment income2                       0.70                 1.38                 1.54                 1.30                 1.20                 1.20  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       1.88                 (0.44 )               2.95                 0.03                 2.20                 1.60  
  Total from investment operations                       2.58                 0.94                 4.49                 1.33                 3.40                 2.80  
  Less distributions to common shareholders                                                                                                                    
  From net investment income                       (0.73 )               (1.45 )               (1.35 )               (1.18 )               (1.18 )               (1.12 )
  Anti-dilutive impact of repurchase plan                       0.02  3               0.09  3               0.03  3               0.01  3                               0.01  3
  Net asset value, end of period                       $25.27                 $23.40                 $23.82                 $20.65                 $20.49                 $18.27  
  Per share market value, end of period                       $23.80                 $20.98                 $21.84                 $18.34                 $19.07                 $16.64  
  Total return at net asset value (%)4,5                       11.66  6               5.24                 23.42                 7.28                 19.64                 18.16  
  Total return at market value (%)4                       17.30  6               2.91                 27.41                 2.37                 22.25                 15.79  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                                    
  Net assets applicable to common shares, end of period (in millions)                       $894                 $836                 $883                 $775                 $773                 $690  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                                        
        Expenses before reductions                       1.74  7               1.64                 1.56                 1.59                 1.65                 1.77  8
        Expenses including reductions9                       1.73  7               1.63                 1.55                 1.59                 1.62                 1.56  8
        Net investment income                       5.97  7               5.88                 6.95                 6.29                 6.19                 6.98  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       6                 11                 7                 23                 12                 16  
  Senior securities                                                                                                                    
  Total debt outstanding end of period (in millions)                       $428                 $428                 $428                 $419                 $390                 $344  
  Asset coverage per $1,000 of debt10                       $3,090                 $2,953                 $3,063                 $2,850                 $2,981                 $3,005  

                                                                                                                                                                             
  1     Six months ended 4-30-16. Unaudited.              
  2     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  3     The repurchase plan was completed at an average repurchase price of $20.47, $20.33, $18.77, $18.09 and $15.28, respectively, for 326,200 shares, 1,341,340 shares, 488,887 shares, 193,358 shares and 276,671 shares, respectively. The repurchases for the periods ended 4-30-16, 10-31-15, 10-31-14, 10-31-13 and 10-31-11 were $6,678,427, $27,270,838, $9,175,619, $3,496,915 and $4,227,969, respectively.              
  4     Total return based on net asset value reflects changes in the fund's net asset value during each period. Total return based on market value reflects changes in market value. Each figure assumes that distributions from income, capital gains and tax return of capital, if any, were reinvested. These figures will differ depending upon the level of any discount from or premium to net asset value at which the fund's shares traded during the period.              
  5     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              
  6     Not annualized.              
  7     Annualized.              
  8     Includes non-recurring litigation fees which represent 0.02% of average net assets for the year ended 10-31-11. Insurance recovery expense reduction for the year ended 10-31-11 represents 0.11% of average net assets.              
  9     Expenses including reductions excluding interest expense were 1.20%, 1.20%, 1.22%, 1.23%, 1.17% and 1.03% for the periods ended 4-30-16, 10-31-15, 10-31-14, 10-31-13, 10-31-12 and 10-31-11, respectively.              
  10     Asset coverage equals the total net assets plus borrowings divided by the borrowings of the fund outstanding at period end (Note 8). As debt outstanding changes, the level of invested assets may change accordingly. Asset coverage ratio provides a measure of leverage.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       17


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

Note 1 — Organization

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income (the fund) is a closed-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).

Note 2 — Significant accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.

Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:

Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures. The time at which shares and transactions are priced and until which orders are accepted may vary to the extent permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable regulations.

In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Equity securities held by the fund are typically valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or principal market where the security was acquired or most likely will be sold. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, the securities are valued using the last available bid price. Debt obligations are valued based on the evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor or from broker-dealers. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker supplied prices. Options listed on an exchange are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices from the exchange where the option was acquired or most likely will be sold. Swaps are valued using evaluated prices obtained from an independent pricing vendor. Futures contracts are valued at settlement prices, which are the official closing prices published by the exchange on which they trade. Foreign securities are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing vendor.

In certain instances, the Pricing Committee may determine to value equity securities using prices obtained from another exchange or market if trading on the exchange or market on which prices are typically obtained did not open for trading as scheduled, or if trading closed earlier than scheduled, and trading occurred as normal on another exchange or market.

Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.

The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       18


The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund's investments as of April 30, 2016, by major security category or type:

                                   
        Total
value at
4-30-16
    Level 1
quoted
price
    Level 2
significant
observable
inputs
    Level 3
significant
unobservable
inputs
 
  Common stocks                          
        Energy     $115,147,451     $115,147,451          
        Materials     910,000     910,000          
        Telecommunication services     21,999,013     21,999,013          
        Utilities     484,213,663     484,213,663          
  Preferred securities                          
        Energy     26,915,520     26,915,520          
        Financials     445,837,150     445,837,150          
        Industrials     3,288,750     3,288,750          
        Telecommunication services     48,198,070     46,551,820     $1,646,250      
        Utilities     164,513,098     141,961,978     22,551,120      
  Corporate bonds     3,291,000         3,291,000      
  Short-term investments     6,167,977         6,167,977      
  Total investments in securities     $1,320,481,692     $1,286,825,345     $33,656,347      
  Other financial instruments:                          
  Futures     $675,483     $675,483          
  Written options     (1,200,975 )   (1,200,975 )        
  Interest rate swaps     (626,785 )       ($626,785 )    

Repurchase agreements. The fund may enter into repurchase agreements. When the fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it receives collateral that is held in a segregated account by the fund's custodian. The collateral amount is marked-to-market and monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the collateral held is in an amount not less than the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus any accrued interest. Collateral received by the fund for repurchase agreements is disclosed in the Fund's investments as part of the caption related to the repurchase agreement.

Repurchase agreements are typically governed by the terms and conditions of the Master Repurchase Agreement and/or Global Master Repurchase Agreement (collectively, MRA). Upon an event of default, the non-defaulting party may close out all transactions traded under the MRA and net amounts owed. Absent an event of default, assets and liabilities resulting from repurchase agreements are not offset in the Statement of assets and liabilities. In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the collateral value may decline or the counterparty may have insufficient assets to pay back claims resulting from close-out of the transactions.

Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Debt obligations may be placed in a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by stopping current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, except for dividends of foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income, net of withholding taxes, is recorded when the fund becomes aware of the dividends. Foreign taxes are provided for based on the fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       19


Foreign taxes. The fund may be subject to withholding tax on income and/or capital gains or repatriation taxes imposed by certain countries in which the fund invests. Taxes are accrued based upon investment income, realized gains or unrealized appreciation.

Overdrafts. Pursuant to the custodian agreement, the fund's custodian may, in its discretion, advance funds to the fund to make properly authorized payments. When such payments result in an overdraft, the fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any costs or expenses associated with the overdraft. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to the extent of any overdraft.

Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund's relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.

Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Any losses incurred during those taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.

For federal income tax purposes, as of October 31, 2015, the fund has a capital loss carryforward of $5,580,087 available to offset future net realized capital gains, which expires on October 31, 2017.

As of October 31, 2015, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.

Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares and pays dividends monthly and capital gain distributions, if any, annually.

Such distributions, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. The final determination of tax characteristics of the fund's distribution will occur at the end of the fiscal year and will subsequently be reported to shareholders.

Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to wash sale loss deferrals and derivative transactions.

Statement of cash flows. Information on financial transactions that have been settled through the receipt and disbursement of cash is presented in the Statement of cash flows. The cash amount shown in the Statement of cash flows is the amount included in the fund's Statement of assets and liabilities and represents the cash on hand at the fund's custodian and does not include any short-term investments, cash segregated at the custodian for derivative contracts or cash held at broker for futures contracts.

Note 3 — Derivative instruments

The fund may invest in derivatives in order to meet its investment objectives. Derivatives include a variety of different instruments that may be traded in the OTC market, on a regulated exchange or through a clearing facility. The risks in using derivatives vary depending upon the structure of the instruments, including the use of leverage, optionality, the liquidity or

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       20


lack of liquidity of the contract, the creditworthiness of the counterparty or clearing organization and the volatility of the position. Some derivatives involve risks that are potentially greater than the risks associated with investing directly in the referenced securities or other referenced underlying instrument. Specifically, the fund is exposed to the risk that the counterparty to an OTC derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction.

Certain swaps are typically traded through the OTC market. Derivative counterparty risk is managed through an ongoing evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties and, if applicable, designated clearing organizations. The fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty risk for derivatives traded in the OTC market, whenever possible, by entering into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement with each of its OTC counterparties. The ISDA gives each party to the agreement the right to terminate all transactions traded under the agreement if there is certain deterioration in the credit quality or contractual default of the other party, as defined in the ISDA. Upon an event of default or a termination of the ISDA, the non-defaulting party has the right to close out all transactions and to net amounts owed.

As defined by the ISDA, the fund may have collateral agreements with certain counterparties to mitigate counterparty risk on OTC derivatives. Subject to established minimum levels, collateral for OTC transactions is generally determined based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on contracts with a particular counterparty. Collateral pledged to the fund is held in a segregated account by a third-party agent or held by the custodian bank for the benefit of the fund and can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. government or related agencies; collateral posted by the fund for OTC transactions is held in a segregated account at the fund's custodian and is noted in the accompanying Fund's investments, or if cash is posted, on the Statement of assets and liabilities. The fund's maximum risk of loss due to counterparty risk is equal to the asset value of outstanding contracts offset by collateral received.

Futures and certain options are traded or cleared on an exchange. Exchange-traded or cleared transactions generally present less counterparty risk to a fund than OTC transactions. The exchange stands between the fund and the broker to the contract and therefore, credit risk is generally limited to the failure of the exchange or clearinghouse and the clearing member.

Futures. A futures contract is a contractual agreement to buy or sell a particular currency or financial instrument at a pre-determined price in the future. Risks related to the use of futures contracts include possible illiquidity of the futures markets, contract prices that can be highly volatile and imperfectly correlated to movements in the underlying financial instrument and potential losses in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Use of long futures contracts subjects the fund to the risk of loss up to the notional value of the futures contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the fund to unlimited risk of loss.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities. The amount of required margin is generally based on a percentage of the contract value; this amount is the initial margin for the trade. The margin deposit must then be maintained at the established level over the life of the contract. Futures margin receivable / payable is included on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Futures contracts are marked-to-market daily and an appropriate payable or receivable for the change in value (variation margin) and unrealized gain or loss is recorded by the fund. When the contract is closed, the fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

During the six months ended April 30, 2016, the fund used futures contracts to manage against anticipated interest rate changes. The fund held futures contracts with notional values ranging from $63.5 million to $127.5 million, as measured at each quarter end. The following table summarizes the contracts held at April 30, 2016:

                                         
  Open contracts     Number of
contracts
    Position     Expiration
date
    Notional
basis*
    Notional
value
    Unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
 
  10-Year U.S. Treasury
Note Futures
    980     Short     Jun 2016     ($128,136,733 )   ($127,461,250 )   $675,483  

*Notional basis refers to the contractual amount agreed upon at inception of open contracts; notional value represents the current value of the open contract.

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       21


Options. There are two types of options, put options and call options. Options are traded either OTC or on an exchange. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy (and the seller the obligation to sell) the underlying instrument at the exercise price. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell (and the writer the obligation to buy) the underlying instrument at the exercise price. Writing puts and buying calls may increase the fund's exposure to changes in the value of the underlying instrument. Buying puts and writing calls may decrease the fund's exposure to such changes. Risks related to the use of options include the loss of premiums, possible illiquidity of the options markets, trading restrictions imposed by an exchange and movements in underlying security values, and for written options, potential losses in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. In addition, OTC options are subject to the risks of all OTC derivatives contracts.

When the fund purchases an option, the premium paid by the fund is included in the Fund's investments and subsequently "marked-to-market" to reflect current market value. If the purchased option expires, the fund realizes a loss equal to the cost of the option. If the fund enters into a closing sale transaction, the fund realizes a gain or loss, depending on whether proceeds from the closing sale are greater or less than the original cost. When the fund writes an option, the premium received is included as a liability and subsequently "marked-to-market" to reflect the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are recorded as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or are closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the realized gain or loss. If a put option on a security is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the fund.

During the six months ended April 30, 2016, the fund wrote option contracts to hedge against anticipated changes in securities markets and to generate potential income. The following tables summarize the fund's written options activities during the six months ended April 30, 2016 and the contracts held at April 30, 2016:

                       
        Number of contracts     Premiums received  
  Outstanding, beginning of period     660     $2,243,192  
        Options written     3,795     10,756,463  
        Option closed     (3,610 )   (11,192,392 )
        Options exercised          
        Options expired     (215 )   (185,080 )
  Outstanding, end of period     630     $1,622,183  

                                         
  Name of issuer     Exercise
price
          Expiration
date
    Number of
contracts
    Premium     Value  
  Calls                                      
  Philadelphia Utility Index     $630           Jun 2016     25     $29,230     ($7,500 )
  Philadelphia Utility Index     670           Jun 2016     70     8,345     (17,500 )
  S&P 500 Index     2,200           Jun 2016     225     52,697     (25,875 )
  S&P 500 Index     2,090           Jul 2016     310     1,531,911     (1,150,100 )
  Total                       630     $1,622,183     ($1,200,975 )

Interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps represent an agreement between the fund and a counterparty to exchange cash flows based on the difference between two interest rates applied to a notional amount. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. The fund settles accrued net interest receivable or payable under the swap contracts at specified, future intervals. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market or may be executed on a registered commodities exchange (centrally cleared swaps). Swaps are marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded as unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts. A termination payment by the counterparty or the fund is recorded as realized gain or loss, as well as the net periodic payments received or paid by the fund. The value of the swap will typically impose collateral posting obligations on the party that is considered out-of-the-money on the swap.

Entering into swap agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk that may amount to values that are in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Such risks involve

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       22


the possibility that there will be no liquid market for the swap, or that a counterparty may default on its obligation or delay payment under the swap terms. The counterparty may disagree or contest the terms of the swap. Market risks may also accompany the swap, including interest rate risk. The fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate or assign outstanding swaps or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions.

During the six months ended April 30, 2016, the fund used interest rate swaps to manage against anticipated interest rate changes. The following table summarizes the interest rate swap contracts held as of April 30, 2016:

                                   
  Counterparty     USD notional
amount
    Payments made
by fund
    Payments received
by fund
    Maturity
date
    Market
value
 
  Morgan Stanley
Capital Services
    $86,000,000     Fixed 1.4625%     3-Month LIBOR (a)     Aug 2016     ($358,733 )
  Morgan Stanley
Capital Services
    86,000,000     Fixed 0.8750%     3-Month LIBOR (a)     Jul 2017     (268,052 )
  Total     $172,000,000                       ($626,785 )

(a) At 4-30-16, 3-Month LIBOR was 0.6366%

No interest rate swap positions were entered into or closed during the six months ended April 30, 2016.

Fair value of derivative instruments by risk category

The table below summarizes the fair value of derivatives held by the fund at April 30, 2016 by risk category:

                             
  Risk     Statement of assets
and liabilities location
    Financial
instruments location
    Asset
derivatives
fair value
    Liabilities
derivatives
fair value
 
  Interest rate     Receivable/payable for futures     Futures     $675,483      
  Equity     Written options, at value     Written options         ($1,200,975 )
  Interest rate     Swap contracts, at value     Interest rate swaps         (626,785 )
  Total                 $675,483     ($1,827,760 )

Reflects cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures as disclosed in Note 3. Only the period end variation margin is separately disclosed on the Statement of assets and liabilities.

Effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of operations

The table below summarizes the net realized gain (loss) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the six months ended April 30, 2016:

                                         
  Risk     Statement of
operations
location
    Futures
contracts
    Investments
(purchased
options)1
    Written
options
    Swap
contracts
    Total  
  Interest rate     Net realized
gain (loss)
    ($1,702,015 )           ($651,549 )   ($2,353,564 )
  Equity     Net realized
gain (loss)
        $4,095     ($1,159,718 )       (1,155,623 )
  Total           ($1,702,015 )   $4,095     ($1,159,718 )   ($651,549 )   ($3,509,187 )

1 Realized gain/loss associated with purchased options in included in this caption on the Statement of operations.

The table below summarizes the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the six months ended April 30, 2016:

           
Risk Statement of
operations location
Futures
contracts
Written
options
Swap
contracts
Total
Interest rate Change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation)
$841,799 $623,966 $1,465,765
Equity Change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation)
$1,587,541 1,587,541
Total   $841,799 $1,587,541 $623,966 $3,053,306

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       23


Note 4 — Guarantees and indemnifications

Under the fund's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Note 5 — Fees and transactions with affiliates

John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. The Advisor is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC).

Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent on an annual basis to 0.75% of the fund's average daily managed assets (net assets plus borrowings under the Liquidity Agreement (the LA)) (see Note 8). The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of MFC and an affiliate of the Advisor, and a subadvisory agreement with Analytic Investors, LLC. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the six months ended April 30, 2016, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund's average daily managed assets (on an annualized basis). This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the Advisor upon notice to the fund and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

The expense reductions described above amounted to $45,714 for the six months ended April 30, 2016.

Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.

The investment management fees, including the impact of the waivers and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the six months ended April 30, 2016 were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.74% of the fund's average daily managed assets.

Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the six months ended April 30, 2016 amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily managed assets.

Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. These Trustees receive from the fund and the other John Hancock closed-end funds an annual retainer. In addition, Trustee out-of-pocket expenses are allocated to each fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.

Note 6 — Fund share transactions

In December 2007, the Board of Trustees approved a share repurchase plan, which was subsequently reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees each year in December. Under the current share repurchase plan, the fund may purchase in the open market up to 10% of its outstanding common shares as of December 31, 2015. The current share repurchase plan will remain in effect between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.

During the six months ended April 30, 2016 and year ended October 31, 2015, the fund repurchased 0.91% and 3.62% of its common shares outstanding under the repurchase program, respectively. The weighted average discount per share on these repurchases amount to 11.56% and 11.10% for the six months ended April 30, 2016 and year ended October 31,

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2015, respectively. Shares repurchased and corresponding dollar amounts are included on the Statements of changes in net assets. The anti-dilutive impacts of these share repurchases are included on the Financial highlights.

Note 7 — Leverage risk

The fund utilizes the LA to increase its assets available for investment. When the fund leverages its assets, common shareholders bear the fees associated with the LA and have potential to benefit or be disadvantaged from the use of leverage. The Advisor's fee is also increased in dollar terms from the use of leverage. Consequently, the fund and the Advisor may have differing interests in determining whether to leverage the fund's assets. Leverage creates risks that may adversely affect the return for the holders of common shares, including:

the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV and market price of common shares;
fluctuations in the interest rate paid for the use of the credit facility;
increased operating costs, which may reduce the fund's total return;
the potential for a decline in the value of an investment acquired through leverage, while the fund's obligations under such leverage remains fixed; and
the fund is more likely to have to sell securities in a volatile market in order to meet asset coverage or other debt compliance requirements.

To the extent the income or capital appreciation derived from securities purchased with funds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the fund's return will be greater than if leverage had not been used, conversely, returns would be lower if the cost of the leverage exceeds the income or capital appreciation derived.

In addition to the risks created by the fund's use of leverage, the fund is subject to the risk that it would be unable to timely, or at all, obtain replacement financing if the LA is terminated. Were this to happen, the fund would be required to de-leverage, selling securities at a potentially inopportune time and incurring tax consequences. Further, the fund's ability to generate income from the use of leverage would be adversely affected.

Note 8 — Liquidity agreement

Effective December 2, 2015, the fund has entered into the LA with State Street Bank & Trust Company (SSB) that allows it to borrow up to $428 million (maximum facility amount) and includes a securities lending provision. The amounts outstanding at April 30, 2016 are shown in the Statement of assets and liabilities as LA payable.

The fund pledges its assets as collateral to secure obligations under the LA. The fund retains the risks and rewards of the ownership of assets pledged to secure obligations under the LA and may make these assets available for securities lending transactions. Under the terms of the LA, the fund may enter into securities lending transactions initiated by SSB, acting as the fund's authorized securities lending agent. All securities lent through SSB are required to be secured with cash collateral received from the securities lending counterparty in amounts at least equal to 100% of the initial market value of the securities lent. Cash collateral received by SSB, in its role as securities lending agent for the fund is credited against the amounts drawn under the LA. Any amounts credited against the LA are considered leverage and would be subject to various limitations in the LA and/or the 1940 Act. Upon return of loaned securities, SSB will return collateral to the securities lending counterparty and will cause amounts drawn under the LA to increase by the amount of collateral returned. Amounts paid by securities lending counterparties for loaned securities are retained by SSB.

In the event of a securities lending counterparty default, SSB indemnifies the fund for certain losses that may arise in connection with the default. SSB uses the collateral received from the securities lending counterparty to purchase replacement securities of the same issue, type, class and series of the loaned securities. If the value of the collateral is less than the purchase cost of the replacement securities, SSB is responsible for satisfying the shortfall but only to the extent that the shortfall is not due to any decrease in the value of the collateral. Although the risk of the loss of the securities lent is mitigated by receiving collateral from the securities lending counterparty and through SSB indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering securities or could experience a lower than expected return if the securities lending counterparty fails to return the securities on a timely basis.

Interest charged is at the rate of one-month LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) plus 0.625%, and is payable monthly on the collective balance of the drawdowns outstanding and the securities lending activities of the fund. As of April 30, 2016,

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the fund had a collective balance of $427,900,000 at an interest rate of 1.06%, which is reflected in the LA payable on the Statement of assets and liabilities. During the period from December 2, 2015 to April 30, 2016, the average balance of the LA and the effective average interest rate were $426,601,987 and 1.06%, respectively.

After the six month anniversary of the effective date of the agreement, the fund may terminate the LA with 60 days' notice. If certain asset coverage and collateral requirements, minimum net assets or other covenants are not met, the LA could be deemed in default and result in termination. Absent a default or facility termination event, SSB is required to provide the fund with 360 days' notice prior to terminating the LA.

Prior to December 2, 2015, the fund had entered into a credit facility agreement (CFA) with Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (CSSU), that allowed the fund's borrowings not to exceed 331\3% of the fund's managed assets and to invest the borrowings in accordance with its investment practices. Interest was charged at the rate of one-month LIBOR plus 0.72% and was paid monthly. During the period from November 1, 2015 to December 1, 2015, the average balance of the CFA and the effective average interest rate were $426,319,355 and 0.92%, respectively. The combined interest accrued by the fund for both the LA and the CFA, for the six months ended April 30, 2016, is reflected in the Interest expense on the Statement of operations. The blended effective average interest rate for the six months ended April 30, 2016 was 1.04%.

Note 9 — Purchase and sale of securities

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term investments, amounted to $78,503,762 and $83,354,508, respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 2016.

Note 10 — Industry or sector risk

The fund generally invests a large percentage of its assets in one or more particular industries or sectors of the economy. If a large percentage of the fund's assets are economically tied to a single or small number of industries or sectors of the economy, the fund will be less diversified than a more broadly diversified fund, and it may cause the fund to underperform if that industry or sector underperforms. In addition, focusing on a particular industry or sector may make the fund's NAV more volatile. Further, a fund that invests in particular industries or sectors is particularly susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory and other factors affecting those industries or sectors.

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       26


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Undaudited

Investment objective and policy

The fund is a closed-end, diversified management investment company, common shares of which were initially offered to the public on February 25, 2004, and are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE). The fund's investment objective is to provide a high level of after-tax total return from dividend income and gains and capital appreciation. The fund utilizes a credit facility agreement to increase its assets available for investments.

Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in dividend-paying common and preferred securities that the subadvisors believe at the time of acquisition are eligible to pay dividends which, for individual shareholders, qualify for U.S. federal income taxation at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, which are currently taxed to noncorporate taxpayers at a maximum rate of 20% (15% or 0% for individuals in certain tax brackets) (tax-advantaged dividends). The fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change in this 80% investment policy. Tax-advantaged dividends generally include dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from foreign corporations that meet certain specified criteria. The fund generally can pass the tax treatment of tax-advantaged dividends it receives through to its common shareholders. The fund may write (sell) covered call index options on up to 30% of the value of the fund's total assets.

Effective December 2, 2015, the Board of Trustees approved changes to the fund's investment policy regarding securities lending, replacing it with the following: "The fund may seek to obtain additional income or portfolio leverage by making secured loans of its portfolio securities with a value of up to 33 1/3% of its total assets. In such transactions, the borrower pays to the fund an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on loaned securities. The fund retains all or a portion of the dividends, interest, capital gains, and/or other distributions received on investment of cash collateral in short-term obligations of the U.S. government, cash equivalents (including shares of a fund managed by the fund's investment adviser or an affiliate thereof), or other investments consistent with the fund's investment objective, policies, and restrictions, or receives a fee from the borrower. As a result of investing such cash collateral in such investments, the fund will receive the benefit of any gains and bear any losses generated by such investments. All securities loans will be made pursuant to agreements requiring that the loans be continuously secured by collateral in cash or short-term debt obligations at least equal at all times to the market value of the loaned securities. The fund may pay reasonable finders', administrative and custodial fees in connection with loans of its portfolio securities. Although voting rights or rights to consent accompanying loaned securities pass to the borrower, the fund retains the right to call the loans at any time on reasonable notice, and it will do so in order that the securities may be voted by the fund with respect to matters materially affecting the fund's investment. The fund may also call a loan in order to sell the securities involved. Lending portfolio securities involves risks of delay in recovery of the loaned securities or, in some cases, loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower commence an action relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. Accordingly, loans of portfolio securities will be made only to borrowers considered by the Adviser to be creditworthy under guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees. Investing cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in any investment that is consistent with the fund's investment objective, policies, and limitations may subject the fund to risk of loss greater than the risk of loss associated with investing collateral solely in short-term U.S. government obligations or cash equivalents."

The use of securities lending collateral to obtain leverage in the fund's investment portfolio may subject the fund to greater risk of loss than would reinvestment of collateral in short-term, highly-rated investments. Risks associated with the fund's use of leverage are discussed under Note 7 to the financial statements.

Declaration of Trust

Effective January 22, 2016, the Board of Trustees of the fund amended and restated in its entirety the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the fund (the "Declaration of Trust"). The amendments to the Declaration of Trust include, among other changes, provisions that: (i) clarify certain duties, responsibilities, and powers of the Trustees; (ii) clarify that, other than as provided under federal securities laws, the shareholders may only bring actions involving the Trust derivatively; (iii) provide that any action brought by a shareholder related to the Trust will be brought in Massachusetts state or federal court, and that, if a claim is brought in a different jurisdiction and subsequently changed to a Massachusetts venue, the shareholder will

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       27


be required to reimburse the Trust for expenses related to changing venue; and (iv) clarify that shareholders are not intended to be third-party beneficiaries of fund contracts. The foregoing description of the Declaration of Trust is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Declaration of Trust, effective as of January 22, 2016, which is available by writing to the Secretary of the fund at 601 Congress Street, 11th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

By-Laws

Effective March 10, 2016, the Board of Trustees of the fund amended the By-Laws of the fund to provide that Trustees' mandatory retirement age shall be determined from time to time by a resolution of the majority of the Trustees.

Dividends and distributions

During the six months ended April 30, 2016, distributions from net investment income totaling $0.7260 per share were paid to shareholders. The dates of payments and the amounts per share were as follows:

   
Payment Date Income Distributions
November 30, 2015 $0.1210
December 17, 2015 0.1210
January 29, 2016 0.1210
February 29, 2016 0.1210
March 31, 2016 0.1210
April 29, 2016 0.1210
Total $0.7260

Shareholder meeting


The fund held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 3, 2016. The following proposal was considered by the shareholders:

Proposal: To elect (1) Trustee (James R. Boyle) to serve for a 1-year term ending at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and to elect four (4) Trustees (Craig Bromley, Deborah C. Jackson, James M. Oates, and Steven R. Pruchansky) to serve for a three-year term ending at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each Trustee was elected to continue to serve as Trustee by the fund's shareholders and the votes cast with respect to each Trustee are set forth below.

     
  Total votes
for the nominee
Total votes withheld
from the nominee
Independent Trustees    
Deborah C. Jackson 31,700,808.875 708,559.973
James M. Oates 31,632,265.875 777,102.973
Steven R. Pruchansky 31,667,792.875 741,575.973
Non-Independent Trustee    
James R. Boyle 31,734,175.875 675,192.973
Craig Bromley 31,757,309.875 652,058.973

Trustees whose term of office continued after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders because they were not up for election are: Charles L. Bardelis, Peter S. Burgess, William H. Cunningham, Grace K. Fey, Theron S. Hoffman, Hassell H. McClellan, Gregory A. Russo, and Warren A. Thomson.

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       28


More information

   

Trustees

James M. Oates, Chairperson
Steven R. Pruchansky, Vice Chairperson
Charles L. Bardelis*
James R. Boyle†
Craig Bromley†
Peter S. Burgess*
William H. Cunningham
Grace K. Fey
Theron S. Hoffman*
Deborah C. Jackson
Hassell H. McClellan
Gregory A. Russo
Warren A. Thomson†

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

John J. Danello
Senior Vice President, Secretary,
and Chief Legal Officer

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Advisers, LLC

Subadvisors

John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC
Analytic Investors, LLC

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Transfer agent

Computershare Shareowner Services, LLC

Legal counsel

K&L Gates LLP

Stock symbol

Listed New York Stock Exchange: HTD

*Member of the Audit Committee
†Non-Independent Trustee

The fund's proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as the fund proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov or on our website.

The fund's complete list of portfolio holdings, for the first and third fiscal quarters, is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The fund's Form N-Q is available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov, and can be reviewed and copied (for a fee) at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Call 800-SEC-0330 to receive information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.

We make this information on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-852-0218.

       
  You can also contact us:
    800-852-0218
jhinvestments.com

Regular mail:

Computershare
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK TAX-ADVANTAGED DIVIDEND INCOME FUND       29


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Balanced

Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

ESG All Cap Core

ESG Large Cap Core

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Value

New Opportunities

Small Cap Value

Small Company

Strategic Growth

U.S. Equity

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

Value Equity

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Greater China Opportunities

International Core

International Growth

International Small Company

International Value Equity

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Core High Yield

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Focused High Yield

Global Income

Government Income

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Spectrum Income

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Enduring Assets

Financial Industries

Global Absolute Return Strategies

Global Conservative Absolute Return

Global Focused Strategies

Global Real Estate

Natural Resources

Redwood

Regional Bank

Seaport

Technical Opportunities

The fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses are included in the prospectus and should be considered carefully before investing. For a prospectus, contact your financial professional, call John Hancock Investments at 800-852-0218, or visit the fund's website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Income Allocation Fund

Lifestyle Aggressive Portfolio

Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio

Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio

Lifestyle Growth Portfolio

Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio

Retirement Choices Portfolios

Retirement Living Portfolios

Retirement Living II Portfolios

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

John Hancock Multifactor ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed
from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Funds, LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the
John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP does not sponsor, endorse, or sell, and makes no
representation as to the advisability of investing in, John Hancock Multifactor ETFs.


John Hancock Investments

A trusted brand

John Hancock Investments is a premier asset manager representing
one of America's most trusted brands, with a heritage of financial
stewardship dating back to 1862. Helping our shareholders pursue
their financial goals is at the core of everything we do. It's why we
support the role of professional financial advice and operate with the
highest standards of conduct and integrity.

A better way to invest

We build funds based on investor needs, then search the world to find
proven portfolio teams with specialized expertise in those strategies.
As a manager of managers, we apply vigorous oversight to ensure that
they continue to meet our uncompromising standards and serve the
best interests of our shareholders.

Results for investors

Our unique approach to asset management enables us to provide
a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world's best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.

jhsocialmedialogo.jpg

     
 
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John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street n Boston, MA 02210-2805
800-852-0218 n jhinvestments.com
  MF292071 P13SA 4/16
6/16


 

ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

 

Not applicable at this time.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

Not applicable at this time.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

 

Not applicable at this time.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

 

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

(a)Not applicable.
(b)
Period Total number of
shares purchased
Average price
per share
Total number of
shares purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans*
Maximum number of
shares that may yet
be purchased under
the plans
Nov-15 - - -                    2,363,910
Dec-15 - - - 2,363,910
Jan-16 115,000 $19.787 115,000                    3,456,116*
Feb-16 211,200 20.824 326,200 3,244,916
Mar-16 - - - 3,244,916
Apr-16 - - -                    3,244,916
Total 326,200 $20.458    
         
         
*In December 2007, the Trustees approved a share repurchase plan, which has been subsequently reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees each year in December. Under the current share repurchase plan, the Fund may purchase in the open market up to 10% of its outstanding common shares as of December 31, 2015. The current share repurchase plan will remain in effect between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.

 


 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

The registrant has adopted procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees. A copy of the procedures is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR. See attached “John Hancock Funds – Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee Charter.”

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a)       Based upon their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

 

(b)       There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

 

(a) Separate certifications for the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.

 

(b) Separate certifications for the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached. The certifications furnished pursuant to this paragraph are not deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certifications are not deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates them by reference.

 

(c)(1) Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders is attached. See attached “John Hancock Funds – Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee Charter.”

 

(c)(2) Contact person at the registrant.

 


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

 

 

By: /s/ Andrew Arnott
  Andrew Arnott
  President
   
   
Date:   June 17, 2016

 

 

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

 

 

By: /s/ Andrew Arnott
  Andrew Arnott
  President
   
   
Date:   June 17, 2016

 

 

 

By: /s/ Charles A. Rizzo
  Charles A. Rizzo
  Chief Financial Officer
   
   
Date:   June 17, 2016