<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 A000000 03/31/2000
000 C000000 0000205802
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 Y
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 6.1
000 J000000 A
001 A000000 PUTNAM TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
001 B000000 811-2675
001 C000000 6172921000
002 A000000 ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
002 B000000 BOSTON
002 C000000 MA
002 D010000 02109
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 N
007 B000000 0
007 C010100 1
007 C010200 2
007 C010300 3
007 C010400 4
007 C010500 5
007 C010600 6
007 C010700 7
007 C010800 8
007 C010900 9
007 C011000 10
008 A000001 PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC
008 B000001 A
008 C000001 801-7974
008 D010001 BOSTON
008 D020001 MA
008 D030001 02109
011 A000001 PUTNAM MUTUAL FUNDS CORP
011 B000001 8-5088
011 C010001 BOSTON
011 C020001 MA
011 C030001 02109
012 A000001 PUTNAM INVESTOR SERVICES
012 B000001 84-401299
012 C010001 BOSTON
012 C020001 MA
012 C030001 02109
013 A000001 KPMG LLP
013 B010001 BOSTON
013 B020001 MA
<PAGE> PAGE 2
013 B030001 02109
015 A000001 PUTNAM FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
015 B000001 C
015 C010001 BOSTON
015 C020001 MA
015 C030001 02109
015 E010001 X
018 000000 Y
019 A000000 Y
019 B000000 97
019 C000000 PUTNAMFUND
020 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH, INC.
020 B000001 13-5674085
020 C000001 14
020 A000002 LEHMAN BROTHERS
020 B000002 13-2518466
020 C000002 5
020 A000003 MORGAN STANELY DEAN WITTER
020 C000003 4
020 A000004 SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
020 C000004 3
020 A000005 MORGAN (J.P.) SECURITIES, INC.
020 B000005 13-3224016
020 C000005 1
020 A000006 PAINEWEBBER, INC.
020 B000006 13-2638166
020 C000006 1
020 C000007 0
020 C000008 0
020 C000009 0
020 C000010 0
021 000000 27
022 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH, INC.
022 B000001 13-5674085
022 C000001 63130
022 D000001 77892
022 A000002 LEHMAN BROTHERS
022 B000002 13-2518466
022 C000002 38100
022 D000002 46688
022 A000003 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
022 B000003 13-5108880
022 C000003 31473
022 D000003 32327
022 A000004 MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
022 C000004 17860
022 D000004 42489
022 A000005 SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
022 C000005 10365
022 D000005 15385
022 A000006 BANK OF AMERICA SECURITIES
<PAGE> PAGE 3
022 C000006 11750
022 D000006 10250
022 A000007 MORGAN (J.P.) SECURITIES, INC.
022 C000007 5673
022 D000007 14191
022 A000008 PAINEWEBBER, INC.
022 B000008 13-2638166
022 C000008 3710
022 D000008 15506
022 A000009 DOLPHIN & BRADBURY
022 C000009 13400
022 D000009 0
022 A000010 PIPER JAFFRAY & HOPWOOD, INC.
022 C000010 5425
022 D000010 5425
023 C000000 227820
023 D000000 304789
024 000000 N
025 D000001 0
025 D000002 0
025 D000003 0
025 D000004 0
025 D000005 0
025 D000006 0
025 D000007 0
025 D000008 0
026 A000000 Y
026 B000000 Y
026 C000000 Y
026 D000000 Y
026 E000000 N
026 F000000 N
026 G010000 Y
026 G020000 Y
026 H000000 N
027 000000 Y
028 A010000 18535
028 A020000 4893
028 A030000 0
028 A040000 29443
028 B010000 12327
028 B020000 5390
028 B030000 0
028 B040000 34911
028 C010000 29365
028 C020000 5381
028 C030000 0
028 C040000 65329
028 D010000 10827
028 D020000 5007
028 D030000 0
<PAGE> PAGE 4
028 D040000 45779
028 E010000 30236
028 E020000 5446
028 E030000 0
028 E040000 52840
028 F010000 10389
028 F020000 5800
028 F030000 0
028 F040000 35836
028 G010000 111679
028 G020000 31917
028 G030000 0
028 G040000 264138
028 H000000 111679
029 000000 Y
030 A000000 428
030 B000000 4.75
030 C000000 3.25
031 A000000 28
031 B000000 0
032 000000 400
033 000000 0
034 000000 Y
035 000000 217
036 A000000 N
036 B000000 0
037 000000 N
038 000000 0
039 000000 N
040 000000 Y
041 000000 Y
042 A000000 0
042 B000000 0
042 C000000 100
042 D000000 0
042 E000000 0
042 F000000 0
042 G000000 0
042 H000000 0
043 000000 2560
044 000000 0
045 000000 Y
046 000000 N
047 000000 Y
048 000000 0.000
048 A010000 500000
048 A020000 0.600
048 B010000 500000
048 B020000 0.500
048 C010000 500000
048 C020000 0.450
<PAGE> PAGE 5
048 D010000 5000000
048 D020000 0.400
048 E010000 5000000
048 E020000 0.375
048 F010000 5000000
048 F020000 0.355
048 G010000 5000000
048 G020000 0.340
048 H010000 0
048 H020000 0.000
048 I010000 0
048 I020000 0.000
048 J010000 0
048 J020000 0.000
048 K010000 21500000
048 K020000 0.330
049 000000 N
050 000000 N
051 000000 N
052 000000 Y
053 A000000 N
054 A000000 Y
054 B000000 Y
054 C000000 Y
054 D000000 N
054 E000000 N
054 F000000 N
054 G000000 N
054 H000000 N
054 I000000 N
054 J000000 Y
054 K000000 N
054 L000000 Y
054 M000000 Y
054 N000000 N
054 O000000 Y
055 A000000 N
055 B000000 N
056 000000 N
057 000000 N
058 A000000 N
059 000000 Y
060 A000000 Y
060 B000000 Y
061 000000 500
062 A000000 Y
062 B000000 0.0
062 C000000 0.0
062 D000000 0.0
062 E000000 0.0
062 F000000 0.0
<PAGE> PAGE 6
062 G000000 0.0
062 H000000 0.0
062 I000000 0.0
062 J000000 0.0
062 K000000 0.0
062 L000000 0.0
062 M000000 0.0
062 N000000 0.0
062 O000000 99.4
062 P000000 0.0
062 Q000000 0.0
062 R000000 0.5
063 A000000 0
063 B000000 12.2
064 A000000 Y
064 B000000 N
066 A000000 N
067 000000 N
068 A000000 N
068 B000000 N
069 000000 N
070 A010000 Y
070 A020000 N
070 B010000 N
070 B020000 N
070 C010000 Y
070 C020000 N
070 D010000 N
070 D020000 N
070 E010000 Y
070 E020000 N
070 F010000 N
070 F020000 N
070 G010000 Y
070 G020000 Y
070 H010000 N
070 H020000 N
070 I010000 N
070 I020000 N
070 J010000 Y
070 J020000 Y
070 K010000 N
070 K020000 N
070 L010000 N
070 L020000 N
070 M010000 N
070 M020000 N
070 N010000 N
070 N020000 N
070 O010000 Y
070 O020000 N
<PAGE> PAGE 7
070 P010000 Y
070 P020000 N
070 Q010000 N
070 Q020000 N
070 R010000 Y
070 R020000 N
071 A000000 162917
071 B000000 279927
071 C000000 1849630
071 D000000 9
072 A000000 6
072 B000000 61989
072 C000000 0
072 D000000 0
072 E000000 0
072 F000000 4608
072 G000000 9
072 H000000 0
072 I000000 413
072 J000000 12
072 K000000 31
072 L000000 6
072 M000000 20
072 N000000 0
072 O000000 0
072 P000000 0
072 Q000000 0
072 R000000 15
072 S000000 20
072 T000000 2560
072 U000000 0
072 V000000 0
072 W000000 96
072 X000000 7790
072 Y000000 0
072 Z000000 54201
072AA000000 0
072BB000000 4890
072CC010000 0
072CC020000 30319
072DD010000 48569
072DD020000 5424
072EE000000 0
073 A010000 0.2494
073 A020000 0.2217
073 B000000 0.0000
073 C000000 0.0000
074 A000000 10891
074 B000000 0
074 C000000 0
074 D000000 1800337
<PAGE> PAGE 8
074 E000000 9865
074 F000000 0
074 G000000 0
074 H000000 0
074 I000000 0
074 J000000 230
074 K000000 0
074 L000000 29248
074 M000000 0
074 N000000 1850571
074 O000000 29054
074 P000000 3306
074 Q000000 0
074 R010000 0
074 R020000 0
074 R030000 0
074 R040000 6615
074 S000000 0
074 T000000 1811596
074 U010000 189218
074 U020000 23380
074 V010000 8.47
074 V020000 8.47
074 W000000 0.0000
074 X000000 36382
074 Y000000 3216
075 A000000 0
075 B000000 1863558
076 000000 0.00
077 A000000 N
078 000000 N
080 A000000 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY
080 B000000 NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
080 C000000 50000
081 A000000 Y
081 B000000 96
082 A000000 N
082 B000000 0
083 A000000 N
083 B000000 0
084 A000000 N
084 B000000 0
085 A000000 Y
085 B000000 N
086 A010000 0
086 A020000 0
086 B010000 0
086 B020000 0
086 C010000 0
086 C020000 0
086 D010000 0
<PAGE> PAGE 9
086 D020000 0
086 E010000 0
086 E020000 0
086 F010000 0
086 F020000 0
SIGNATURE PAUL BUCUVALAS
TITLE MANAGING DIRECTOR
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 4
<NAME> CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> SEMI
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,781,287,458
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,810,202,265
<RECEIVABLES> 29,477,892
<ASSETS-OTHER> 10,891,298
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,850,571,455
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 29,053,925
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 9,921,826
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 38,975,751
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,821,610,948
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 189,218,016
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 201,546,466
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (4,252,104)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (34,909,433)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 29,146,293
<NET-ASSETS> 1,811,595,704
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 61,988,545
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 7,787,994
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 54,200,551
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (4,889,995)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (30,318,862)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 18,991,694
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (48,569,307)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 11,688,894
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (27,395,427)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 3,378,083
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (155,860,932)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (4,176,192)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (30,019,438)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4,607,986
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7,918,809
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,646,488,888
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.62
<PER-SHARE-NII> .25
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.15)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.25)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.47
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .39
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 4
<NAME> CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> SEMI
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,781,287,458
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,810,202,265
<RECEIVABLES> 29,477,892
<ASSETS-OTHER> 10,891,298
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,850,571,455
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 29,053,925
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 9,921,826
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 38,975,751
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,821,610,948
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 23,379,891
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 25,441,190
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (4,252,104)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (34,909,433)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 29,146,293
<NET-ASSETS> 1,811,595,704
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 61,988,545
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 7,787,994
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 54,200,551
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (4,889,995)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (30,318,862)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 18,991,694
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (5,424,040)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1,461,228
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (3,916,271)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 393,744
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (155,860,932)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (4,176,192)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (30,019,438)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4,607,986
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7,918,809
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 206,872,489
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.62
<PER-SHARE-NII> .22
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.15)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.22)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.47
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .71
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 4
<NAME> CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> SEMI
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,781,287,458
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,810,202,265
<RECEIVABLES> 29,477,892
<ASSETS-OTHER> 10,891,298
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,850,571,455
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 29,053,925
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 9,921,826
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 38,975,751
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,821,610,948
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 117,245
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 73,856
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (4,252,104)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (34,909,433)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 29,146,293
<NET-ASSETS> 1,811,595,704
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 61,988,545
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 7,787,994
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 54,200,551
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (4,889,995)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (30,318,862)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 18,991,694
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (21,239)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 64,543
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (22,525)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1,371
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (155,860,932)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (4,176,192)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (30,019,438)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4,607,986
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7,918,809
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 836,447
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.63
<PER-SHARE-NII> .22
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.16)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.22)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.47
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .79
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 4
<NAME> CLASS M
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> SEMI
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,781,287,458
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,810,202,265
<RECEIVABLES> 29,477,892
<ASSETS-OTHER> 10,891,298
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,850,571,455
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 29,053,925
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 9,921,826
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 38,975,751
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,821,610,948
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1,111,065
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1,129,605
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (4,252,104)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (34,909,433)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 29,146,293
<NET-ASSETS> 1,811,595,704
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 61,988,545
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 7,787,994
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 54,200,551
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (4,889,995)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (30,318,862)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 18,991,694
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (261,877)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 80,290
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (124,358)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 25,528
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (155,860,932)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (4,176,192)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (30,019,438)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4,607,986
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7,918,809
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 9,359,762
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.64
<PER-SHARE-NII> .23
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.14)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.24)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.49
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .54
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>