SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-8A

                 NOTIFICATION OF REGISTRATION FILED PURSUANT TO
               SECTION 8(a) OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940


     The  undersigned  investment  company  hereby  notifies the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission  that it registers  under and pursuant to the provisions of
Section 8(a) of the Investment  Company Act of 1940 and in connection  with such
notification of registration submits the following information:

Name:    Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust

Address of Principal Business Office:
         24 Federal Street
         Boston, Massachusetts 02110

Telephone Number:    (617) 482-8260

Name and address of agent for service of process:
         Alan R. Dynner
         24 Federal Street
         Boston, Massachusetts   02110


Check Appropriate Box:
         Registrant is filing a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 8(b)
         of the Investment  Company Act of 1940 concurrently with the filing of
         Form N-8A: YES [X] NO [ ]


                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Investment  Company Act of 1940, the
Registrant has caused this notification of registration to be duly signed on its
behalf in the City of Boston and  Commonwealth of  Massachusetts on the ____ day
of December, 1998.


                         EATON VANCE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST


                         By: /s/ Thomas J. Fetter
                             ----------------------------------
                             Thomas J. Fetter
                             President


Attest: /s/ Alan R. Dynner
        ------------------------
         Alan R. Dynner
         Secretary