<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001398344-21-012086.txt : 20210526
<SEC-HEADER>0001398344-21-012086.hdr.sgml : 20210526
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210526151207
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001398344-21-012086
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20210524
FILED AS OF DATE:		20210526
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210526

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Morris Matthew
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001290188

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-02363
		FILM NUMBER:		21965311

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1905 SHARP PL
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77019

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>fp0065795_4.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2021-05-24</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001290188</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Morris Matthew</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1905 SHARP PL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77019</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>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2021-05-24</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>13034</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.23</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50815</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. Record date stockholders were entitled to purchase one newly issued share of common stock of the Issuer for every three rights held. Fully subscribed stockholders were also 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/ Matthew Morris</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-05-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
