<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001398344-21-012080.txt : 20210526
<SEC-HEADER>0001398344-21-012080.hdr.sgml : 20210526
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210526150854
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001398344-21-012080
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20210525
FILED AS OF DATE:		20210526
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210526

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WILCOX GLENN W SR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001221668

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-02363
		FILM NUMBER:		21965290

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE WEST PACK SQUARE SUITE 1700
		CITY:			ASHEVILLE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28801

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CORNERSTONE TOTAL RETURN FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000033934
		IRS NUMBER:				132727013
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		225 PICTORIA DRIVE, SUITE 450
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45246
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(513) 587-3400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		225 PICTORIA DRIVE, SUITE 450
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45246

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EIS FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20020109

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EXCELSIOR INCOME SHARES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>fp0065810_4.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2021-05-25</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000033934</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CORNERSTONE TOTAL RETURN FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001221668</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WILCOX GLENN W SR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>418 VANDERBILT ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ASHEVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28803</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2021-05-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2097</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.23</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8097</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Non-transferable rights were issued to stockholders of record as of April 16, 2021 in connection with a rights offering by the Issuer at the rate of one right for each share of common stock owned. Every three rights received by the holder entitled such holder to purchase one share of common stock and fully-subscribed holders were entitled to oversubscribe for additional shares if available. Purchases made pursuant to the rights offering are reflected in this filing.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Glenn W. Wilcox, Sr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-05-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
