-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TOguspbwhiTqlM2QtQQcdNk2t3+hJPWEmxdG4N443+TlVQOCvv4ya2fLkDRLi2g4
 5shwAy18uCn+aTB1Lbdb2A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001010521-03-000014.txt : 20030106
<SEC-HEADER>0001010521-03-000014.hdr.sgml : 20030106
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030106102938
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001010521-03-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	497J
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030106
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20030106

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HANCOCK JOHN TAX EXEMPT SERIES FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000811921
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0831

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		497J
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	033-12947
		FILM NUMBER:		03504108

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 HUNTINGTON AVE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199-7603
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6173751702

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 HUNTINGTON AVENUE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HANCOCK JOHN TAX EXEMPT SERIES TRUST
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19901023
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>497J
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>txexsres.txt
<DESCRIPTION>JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES
<TEXT>

EDGAR


January 6, 2003


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Filing Pursuant to Rule 497(j)
         John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series
          John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund
          John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund
         File Nos.  33-12947; 811-5079

CERTIFICATE UNDER RULE 497 (j)

Gentlemen:

Pursuant to 497(j) of Regulation C, under the Securities Act of 1933, in lieu of
filing under paragraph (b) or (c) of Rule 497, I hereby certify that the form of
Prospectus and Statements of Additional Information dated January 1, 2003 for
the above-captioned registrant that would have been filed under paragraph (b) or
(c) of Rule 497(j) does not differ from that contained in the most recent
registration statement amendment and the text of the most recent registration
statement that has been filed electronically.


                                          Sincerely,


                                          /s/Joan O'Neill
                                          ---------------
                                          Joan O'Neill
                                          Senior Paralegal
                                          Federal Registration


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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