EXHIBIT 12(B)
SECTION 906 CERTIFICATIONS


                           SECTION 906 CERTIFICATIONS

Ralph W. Bradshaw, Principal Executive Officer, and Jodi B. Levine, Principal
Financial Officer, of the Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), each
certify to his/her knowledge that:

(1)The Fund's periodic report on Form N-CSR for the period ended June 30, 2005
(the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Fund.



/S/ RALPH W. BRADSHAW                             /S/ JODI B. LEVINE
---------------------                             ------------------
Ralph W. Bradshaw                                 Jodi B. Levine
Chairman and President                            (Principal Financial Officer)
(Principal Executive Officer)                     September 8, 2005
September 8, 2005

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement
required by Section 906, has been provided to the Fund and will be retained by
the Fund and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff
upon request.