UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss. 3507.

ITEM 1. REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

Closed-End Funds

Nuveen Investments

Closed-End Funds

Annual Report December 31, 2014

JTA

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENTS ACQUIRED BY TIAA-CREF

On October 1, 2014, TIAA-CREF completed its previously announced acquisition of Nuveen Investments, Inc., the parent company of your fund's investment adviser, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC ("NFAL") and the Nuveen affiliates that act as sub-advisers to the majority of the Nuveen Funds. TIAA-CREF is a national financial services organization with approximately $851 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2014 and is a leading provider of retirement services in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields. Nuveen is operating as a separate subsidiary within TIAA-CREF's asset management business.

Table

of Contents

Chairman's Letter

to Shareholders

Dear Shareholders,

A pattern of divergence has emerged in the past year. Steady and moderate growth in the U.S. economy helped sustain the stock market's bull run another year. U.S. bonds also performed well, amid subdued inflation, interest rates that remained unexpectedly low and concerns about the economic well-being of the rest of the world. The stronger domestic economy enabled the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) to gradually reduce its large scale bond purchases, known as quantitative easing (QE), without disruption to the markets, as well as begin to set expectations for a transition into tightening mode.

The story outside the U.S., however, was different. European growth was stagnating and Japan fell into a recession, contributing to the bouts of volatility in their markets. China's economy decelerated and, despite running well above the rate of other major global economies, investors feared it looked slow by China's standards. Compounding these concerns were a surprisingly steep decline in oil prices, the U.S. dollar's rally and an increase in geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine crisis and terrorist attacks across the Middle East and Africa, as well as more recently in Europe.

While a backdrop of healthy economic growth in the U.S. and the continuation of accommodative monetary policy (with the central banks of Japan and potentially Europe stepping in where the Fed has left off) bodes well for the markets, the global outlook has become more uncertain. Indeed, volatility is likely to feature more prominently in the investment landscape going forward. Such conditions underscore the importance of professional investment management. Experienced investment teams have weathered the market's ups and downs in the past and emerged with a better understanding of the sensitivities of their asset class and investment style, particularly in times of turbulence. We recognize the importance of maximizing gains, while striving to minimize volatility.

And, the same is true for investors like you. Maintaining an appropriate time horizon, diversification and relying on practiced investment teams are among your best strategies for achieving your long-term investment objectives. Additionally, I encourage you to communicate with your financial consultant if you have questions about your investment in a Nuveen Fund. On behalf of the other members of the Nuveen Fund Board, we look forward to continuing to earn your trust in the months and years ahead.

William J. Schneider
Chairman of the Board
February 23, 2015

Portfolio Managers'

Comments

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund (JTA)

The Fund features portfolio management by two affiliates of Nuveen Investments, Inc. The Fund's investments in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks and call options written are managed by NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (NWQ), while the Fund's investments in senior corporate loans and other debt instruments are managed by Symphony Asset Management LLC (Symphony). James T. Stephenson, CFA, Managing Director of NWQ, along with Thomas J. Ray, CFA, and Susi Budiman, CFA, manage the NWQ portion of the Fund. Effective January 6, 2015, Thomas J. Ray succeeds Michael J. Carne, CFA, who is no longer with the firm. The Symphony team is led by Gunther Stein, who serves as the firm's Chief Investment Officer.

Effective January 30, 2015 (subsequent to the close of this reporting period), the following changes have been made to the Fund:

JTA's investment objective is high after-tax total return, consisting primarily of tax-advantaged dividend income and capital appreciation. The Fund constructs its portfolio by allocating approximately 80% of its managed assets to a global equity income strategy and approximately 20% of its managed assets to a adjustable rate senior loan strategy. If the allocation varies outside a defined range, the Fund will rebalance the allocation. Over time, the Fund may change the target allocation. Each strategy is managed by a separate, specialized sub-adviser:

1)  Global Equity Income: a globally diversified portfolio focused on tax-advantaged income-producing and dividend-paying equity and preferred securities, sub-advised by NWQ;

2)  Adjustable Rate Senior Loans: an adjustable rate senior loan portfolio strategy, sub-advised by Symphony.

New investment policies that apply overall to the Fund as a whole:

•  At least 60% of the Fund's managed assets will be invested in tax-advantaged income-producing equity securities, including DRD preferred securities;

•  The Fund has greater flexibility to invest (up to 70% of the Fund's managed assets) in non-U.S. issues of any currency;

•  The Fund has greater flexibility to invest (up to 20% of the Fund's managed assets) in securities of issuers of emerging market countries; and

•  The Fund has flexibility to use derivatives both for hedging purposes and to enhance risk-adjusted returns, including writing (selling) covered options.

Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements. Discussions of specific investments are for illustration only and are not intended as recommendations of individual investments. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are those of the portfolio managers as of the date of this report. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements and the views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. The Fund disclaims any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein.

Ratings shown are the highest rating given by one of the following national rating agencies: Standard & Poor's (S&P), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch). Credit ratings are subject to change. AAA, AA, A and BBB are investment grade ratings; BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D are below investment grade ratings. Certain bonds backed by U.S. Government or agency securities are regarded as having an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by these national rating agencies.

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

Portfolio Managers' Comments (continued)

New investment policies that apply only to the Global Equity Income strategy portion of JTA:

•  The Global Equity Income strategy may invest in common stocks, preferred securities, convertible securities, convertible preferred securities, real estate investment trusts (REITs), master limited partnerships (MLPs), and debt; and

•  The Fund's policies regarding credit ratings as they apply to the equity securities in the Global Equity Income strategy portion of the Fund have been eliminated.

Here Jim, Thomas, Susi and Gunther review economic and market conditions, their management strategies and the performance of the Fund for the twelve-month reporting period ended December 31, 2014.

What factors affected the U.S. economy and the financial markets during the twelve-month reporting period ended December 31, 2014?

During this reporting period, the U.S. economy continued to expand at a moderate pace. The Federal Reserve (Fed) maintained efforts to bolster growth and promote progress toward its mandates of maximum employment and price stability by holding the benchmark fed funds rate at the record low level of zero to 0.25% that it established in December 2008. At its October 2014 meeting, the Fed announced that it would end its bond-buying stimulus program as of November 1, 2014, after tapering its monthly asset purchases of mortgage-backed and longer-term Treasury securities from the original $85 billion per month to $15 billion per month over the course of seven consecutive meetings (December 2013 through September 2014). In making the announcement, the Fed cited substantial improvement in the outlook for the labor market since the inception of the current asset purchase program as well as sufficient underlying strength in the broader economy to support ongoing progress toward maximum employment in a context of price stability. The Fed also reiterated that it would continue to look at a wide range of factors, including labor market conditions, indicators of inflationary pressures and readings on financial developments, in determining future actions. Additionally, the Fed stated that it would likely maintain the current target range for the fed funds rate for a considerable time after the end of the asset purchase program, especially if projected inflation continues to run below the Fed's 2% longer-run goal. However, if economic data shows faster progress toward the Fed's employment and inflation objectives than currently anticipated, the Fed indicated that the first increase in the fed funds rate since 2006 could occur sooner than expected.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the U.S. economy, as measured by the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), grew at a 2.6% annual rate, compared with 4.6% in the second quarter and 5.0% in the third quarter of 2014. The decline in real GDP growth rate from the third quarter to the fourth quarter primarily reflects an upturn in imports, a downturn in federal government spending, and decline in exports. These were partly offset by an upturn in consumer spending. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.8% year-over-year as of December 2014, while the core CPI (which excludes food and energy) increased 1.6% during the same period, below the Fed's unofficial longer term inflation objective of 2.0%. As of December 31, 2014, the national unemployment rate was 5.6%, the lowest level since July 2008, down from the 6.7% reported in December 2013. The housing market continued to post gains, although price growth has shown signs of deceleration in recent months. The average home price in the S&P/Case-Shiller Index of 20 major metropolitan areas rose 4.7% for the twelve months ended November 2014 (most recent data available at the time this report was prepared).

As investor sentiment and risk aversion fluctuated throughout the reporting period, U.S. equities across the risk spectrum posted generally positive returns supported by solid corporate earnings, positive economic reports and continued accommodative monetary policy. During the first few months of this reporting period, the financial markets were unsettled in the aftermath of widespread uncertainty about the future of the Fed's quantitative easing program. Also contributing to investor concern was Congress's failure to reach agreement on the Fiscal 2014 federal budget, which had triggered sequestration, or automatic spending cuts and a 16-day federal government shutdown in October 2013. As we moved into 2014, investors quickly shook off these issues and the current bull market in the U.S. entered its sixth year. Then, midway through the first calendar quarter, investors grew concerned about the dampening effects of severe winter

weather on near-term growth, firmer language from the Fed regarding potential stimulus withdrawal and mounting tensions with Russia over its territorial assertions in Ukraine. The stock market experienced a rather quick and dramatic rotation away from higher growth, higher price/earnings ratio stocks that had performed so well in 2013 and into more defensive, value-oriented stocks. As we moved into the spring and summer months, equity markets again hit new highs as U.S. data improved and policy uncertainty was reduced. Market volatility declined to levels near historical lows prompting some concern from market analysts and policymakers who believed that investors may be growing overly complacent. As conditions improved on the domestic front, however, global growth was called into question as China and the emerging markets slowed, while Europe slipped back into a recession. The U.S. dollar strengthened dramatically, which weighed on the prices of all commodities. Oil prices experienced a dramatic decline from their early June high of approximately $105/barrel and ended the reporting period at approximately $65/barrel (source: West Texas Intermediate).

During the reporting period, the best performing sectors in the Russell 3000^® Value Index after technology, which posted the highest return, were the defensive/high dividend paying sectors (health care, utilities and consumer staples). Within the index's finance sector, real estate investment trusts (REITs) posted exceptionally strong returns. Given the strength of our economy and dollar, U.S. equity markets substantially outperformed returns from almost all developed equity markets with the S&P 500^® Index beating the MSCI EAFE Index by more than 1800 basis points in local currency terms, the most since 1997. Despite some positive performance in local currencies, our investment in non-U.S. based companies through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) served as a meaningful headwind to performance driven mainly by the weakening of those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. The market was extremely narrow and defensive, particularly toward the end of the reporting period, as global economic weakness surfaced.

Despite increased market volatility, preferred securities performed exceptionally well during the reporting period. The BofA Merrill Lynch Preferred Stock Fixed Rate Index returned 15.4% for the reporting period, the best annual performance since 2009. Preferred securities handily outperformed investment grade and high yield corporate bonds. Preferred prices benefited from the market's need for long duration and yield, as evidenced by the large rally in 30 year Treasuries and the flattening of the yield curve.

Throughout much of the reporting period, the loan market was defined by continued retail mutual fund outflows being largely offset by supportive institutional demand, predominantly collateralized loan obligation (CLO) issuance. The reporting period began with most of the loan market being priced above par, with an outlook based on coupon-like return expectations. Conversely, by the end of the reporting period, the loan market experienced increased volatility, driven largely by fourth quarter weakness and finished with a vast majority of the loan market priced below par. In addition, while energy is only a fractional representation of the loan market, weakness in the sector seemingly re-priced risk across all credit assets as well as increased default concerns in the energy sector. Other notable influences came in the second half of the reporting period as net new supply within loans gained steam on the heels of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity and overall leveraged buyout (LBO) financing.

What key strategies were used to manage the Fund during this twelve-month reporting period ended December 31, 2014?

The Fund is designed to seek a high level of after-tax total return consisting primarily of tax-advantaged dividend income and capital appreciation. In an effort to achieve this, the Fund invests at least 60% in common stocks whose dividends may be eligible for favorable income tax treatment. The Fund also invests to a more limited extent in preferred stocks, which can range from a minimum of 5% to a maximum of 20%, that are eligible to pay tax-advantaged dividends, as well as 20% in senior loans and other debt instruments.

Portfolio Managers' Comments (continued)

NWQ Key Strategies

For the common and preferred equity portion of the Fund's portfolio, NWQ continued to employ an opportunistic, bottom-up strategy that focused on identifying undervalued companies possessing favorable risk/reward characteristics as well as what it thought were emerging catalysts that could unlock value or improve profitability. These catalysts included management changes, restructuring efforts, recognition of hidden assets and/or a positive change in the underlying fundamentals. We also focused on downside risk management and paid a great deal of attention to a company's balance sheet and cash flow statement, not just the income statement. We believed that cash flow analysis offered a more objective picture of a company's financial position than an evaluation based on earnings alone.

Its overall goal is to provide a high total return to investors with a lower amount of risk. Managing an equity income based strategy can accomplish this through both capital appreciation and a higher than average proportion of return through dividends.

Some traditional dividend paying companies sell at historically high valuation levels both on an absolute basis and relative to history and the broader market. Therefore, the Fund has fewer holdings in utilities and U.S. telecom service companies than many of our peers, as we view those areas to be substantially fully valued.

We increased exposure to companies in developed foreign markets, namely Europe. Many of these companies pay higher levels of dividend income than similar enterprises in the U.S. and are less expensive on a valuation basis. Additionally, there exists a wider representation of industries whose companies pay dividends than in the U.S.

During the reporting period, we continued to find better values and more upside for capital return in the financial and technology sectors. Many financials' balance sheets have been over-capitalized with room for share repurchases and dividend increases as the regulatory cloud surrounding them continues to lift. Technology companies with sub-optimal capital structures and cash may receive even more pressure over time to return that capital to shareholders. We believe both sectors may potentially increase their capital returns, which could in turn allow for a re-rating of the companies.

Finally, we continued to employ a bottom-up approach. We found interesting names within a variety of industries. Rather than look for the highest dividend paying stocks, we seek to invest in the best companies at an attractive valuation with a good risk/reward profile and catalysts that can change the valuation of the company. Companies that experience renewed capital discipline can often demonstrate this through a return of capital. Increased dividend payments, as well as share repurchases, become the catalyst for re-rating when it comes from companies that previously were misallocating capital. Often this comes from a management change, for example when the CFO becomes the CEO or perhaps when an outside force such as an active investor applies the pressure needed to affect change. We are seeing an increasing amount of these types of opportunities across multiple industries.

For the preferred securities portion of the Fund's portfolio, we review the specific characteristics of the preferred stocks available for investment and evaluate the effect on holding such an investment. These characteristics might include price, yield, issuer, rating, liquidity premium/discount and any other potential issues that can affect the value of the position. Additionally, because the preferred market is concentrated both by issuer and industry, attention is focused on the diversification of the Fund.

Symphony Key Strategies

In the senior loan and other debt portion of the Fund's portfolio, Symphony continued to manage and monitor senior loan market risks. The overall macroeconomic backdrop during the reporting period remained supportive of the leveraged loan asset class. The Fund's capital remained invested in issuers with strong credit profiles among non-investment grade debt, while offering attractive current income and yield. Fundamentally, Symphony feels that many of these companies have stable businesses, good asset coverage for senior debt holders and could perform well in a stable to slow growth environment.

How did the Fund perform during this twelve-month reporting period ended December 31, 2014?

The table in the Performance Overview and Holding Summaries section of this report provides total return performance for the Fund for the one-year, five-year and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2014. For the twelve-month reporting period ended December 31, 2014, the Fund's total return on common share net asset value (NAV) underperformed its Blended Benchmark and the S&P 500^® Index.

NWQ Performance

For the equity portion of the Fund managed by NWQ, the Fund's performance reflects gains in several holdings, although returns did modestly trail the benchmark for the reporting period. Overweight positions in the consumer discretionary, health care and technology sectors had a positive impact on performance, as well as a smaller energy exposure relative to the benchmark. Unfavorable stock selection in the industrial and telecommunication industries detracted from returns.

Several holdings positively contributed to performance. CVS Caremark Corporation appreciated on strong fundamentals and indications that the company will see significantly less impact from reimbursement pressures and generic drug inflation than its competitors. Underlying trends remain solid as the focus on increasing store brand penetration and prudent promotions are driving growth and margins. Also contributing to performance was Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, which has embarked on an aggressive $2 billion cost cutting plan that should help maintain strong profitability in the face of the upcoming patent expiration of its multiple sclerosis drug, Copaxone. Teva received FDA approval in late January for a 3 day/week dosing for Copaxone, and is actively working to shift its patients to the new formulation. Time Warner outperformed both the index and its media peers during the reporting period as there has been a widening valuation gap between differences in quality in the industry. Time Warner has established itself as a high quality name as it continues to develop content with sports and HBO. The company rejected a takeover from Fox in July and instead laid out a plan whereby they could add more value to shareholders by going it alone.

Those positions detracting from performance included, Copa Holdings, S.A., a leading Latin American airline with a strong balance sheet and one of the most modern fleets in the industry. The company's primary hub in Panama is ideally positioned between North and South America. The shares sold off on concerns that Venezuela, a strategically important market for Copa, would devalue its currency and place restrictions on the repatriation of cash out of the country. Furthermore, Copa had to reduce service in the country and has placed limits on bolivar-denominated ticket sales. We believe that Copa's robust growth and high profitability will remain intact despite these headwinds.

Also detracting from performance was Medley Capital Corporation, a New York City based business development company (BDC) that invests in the senior secured debt of private lower middle market companies. The stock underperformed on growing concern regarding the credit quality of the company's portfolio and related potential book value deterioration and stagnation. Management is expected to reduce the company's dividend in early 2015 as a result. We continue to own this position.

Lastly, National CineMedia, Inc. (NCMI), the largest supplier of commercials in movie theaters, declined after the U.S. Justice Dept. sued to stop the company's planned acquisition of its closest competitor, Screenvision Cinema Network. NCMI management is confident that the transaction will ultimately close as it believes many of the conclusions are inaccurate, particularly the narrowly defined in-theater advertising market and cinema advertising's small share of overall domestic advertising spending. We trimmed the stake in NCMI during the reporting period.

Our preferred stock banking and insurance holdings also contributed to performance and included such names as First Republic Bank, Axis Capital Holdings Limited and Arch Capital Group Limited. First Republic Bank is a mid-tier bank heavily focused on relationship banking that targets an affluent customer base and uses jumbo residential mortgage products lending as a feeder to its private banking and wealth management activities. This business model has produced stable operating results and solid asset quality metrics through credit cycles. Axis Capital Holdings Limited is a specialty insurance and reinsurance company that provides property and catastrophe insurance. We continue to believe the

Portfolio Managers' Comments (continued)

company is well positioned to benefit from rate increases in property and casualty policies and to further grow its higher margin product lines such as accident and health. Lastly, Arch Capital Group Limited contributed to performance. The company writes insurance and reinsurance on a worldwide basis through operations in the U.S., Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Australia and South Africa, with a focus on specialty lines.

Our security selection in the industrial and utilities sectors detracted from performance. These preferred stock holdings included: Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. , an international provider of marine transportation, oil production and storage services to the offshore oil industry focusing on the fast-growing, deepwater offshore oil regions of the North Sea and Brazil; Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration for and the exploitation, acquisition, development and production of crude oil resources in the U.S. and Canada; and Miller Energy Resources is a high growth oil and natural gas exploration, production and drilling company operating multiple projects in North America. Energy-related securities performed poorly during the reporting period as oil prices declined given negative revisions of global oil demand, weaker macroeconomic news and a surging U.S. dollar.

During the reporting period, NWQ wrote (sold) covered call options on individual stocks held in the Fund's portfolio to enhance returns while foregoing some upside potential. The effect on performance for the reporting period was a small positive one.

Symphony Performance

The senior loan and other debt instruments portion of the Fund managed by Symphony also contributed to total return performance during the reporting period. Credit selection was the primary driver of performance. Our holdings in the food & drug and health care sectors were top contributors to performance, while our financial and energy holdings detracted from performance.

The Fund's position in the term loan of U.S. Foods, Inc. contributed to the performance. We believe the food and drug sector has historically been more defensive during periods of volatility and believe this loan offers an attractive coupon relative to the rest of the sector and broad market. Both the sector and the company have performed well, especially during the fourth quarter. We anticipate the loan will continue to be a core position in our portfolios in the near term. Also contributing to the Fund's performance was a term loan of Drumm Investors LLC. Drumm specializes in health care for seniors and performance benefited as the firm completed amendments to their loans throughout the year and continue to offer healthy yields.

Also positively contributing to performance was MGM Holdings Inc. having received solid 3Q14 results and positive operating momentum in Las Vegas. The entertainment company, develops, produces and co-produces, finances and distributes film and television content worldwide.

Energy holdings, while only a modest representation of the overall markets and the Fund's portfolio, were the key detractors for the reporting period. While we began reducing our exposure to the sector ahead of the steep decline in oil prices, we continued to maintain modest exposures that detracted from overall performance. Specifically, the loan of Fieldwood Energy, LLC, and Drill Rigs Holdings, Inc. weighed on performance during the reporting period.

Fund

Leverage

IMPACT OF THE FUND'S LEVERAGE STRATEGY ON PERFORMANCE

One important factor impacting the return of the Fund relative to its benchmarks was the Fund's use of leverage through the use of bank borrowings. The Fund uses leverage because our research has shown that, over time, leveraging provides opportunities for additional income and total return for common shareholders. However, use of leverage also can expose common shareholders to additional volatility. For example, as the prices of securities held by the Fund decline, the negative impact of these valuation changes on common share NAV and common shareholder total return is magnified by the use of leverage. Conversely, leverage may enhance common share returns during periods when the prices of securities held by the Fund generally are rising. The Fund's use of leverage had a positive impact on performance during this reporting period.

The Fund also continued to use swap contracts to partially fix the interest cost of leverage, which as mentioned previously, the Fund uses through bank borrowings. The swap contracts impact on performance was modestly negative during this reporting period, as interest rates moved lower.

As of December 31, 2014, the Fund's percentages of leverage are as shown in the accompanying table.

*  Effective leverage is the Fund's effective economic leverage, and includes both regulatory leverage and the leverage effects of certain derivative and other investments in a Fund's portfolio that increase the Fund's investment exposure. Regulatory leverage consists of preferred shares issued or borrowings of the Fund. Both of these are part of the Fund's capital structure. Regulatory leverage is subject to asset coverage limits set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

THE FUND'S REGULATORY LEVERAGE

Bank Borrowings

The Fund employs regulatory leverage through the use of bank borrowings. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund had outstanding bank borrowings of $89,400,000.

Refer to Notes to Financial Statements, Note 9 – Borrowing Arrangements for further details.

Common Share

Information

DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

The following information regarding the Fund's distributions is current as of December 31, 2014. The Fund's distribution level may vary over time based on the Fund's investment activities and portfolio investment value changes.

The Fund has a managed distribution program. The goal of this program is to provide common shareholders with relatively consistent and predictable cash flow by systematically converting the Fund's expected long-term return potential into regular distributions. As a result, regular common share distributions throughout the year are likely to include a portion of expected long-term gains (both realized and unrealized), along with net investment income.

Important points to understand about the managed distribution program are:

•  The Fund seeks to establish a relatively stable common share distribution rate that roughly corresponds to the projected total return from its investment strategy over an extended period of time. However, you should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's past or future investment performance from its current distribution rate.

•  Actual common share returns will differ from projected long-term returns (and therefore the Fund's distribution rate), at least over shorter time periods. Over a specific timeframe, the difference between actual returns and total distributions will be reflected in an increasing (returns exceed distributions) or a decreasing (distributions exceed returns) Fund net asset value.

•  Each distribution is expected to be paid from some or all of the following sources:

•  net investment income (regular interest and dividends),

•  realized capital gains, and

•  unrealized gains, or, in certain cases, a return of principal (non-taxable distributions).

•  A non-taxable distribution is a payment of a portion of the Fund's capital. When the Fund's returns exceed distributions, it may represent portfolio gains generated, but not realized as a taxable capital gain. In periods when the Fund's returns fall short of distributions, the shortfall will represent a portion of your original principal, unless the shortfall is offset during other time periods over the life of your investment (previous or subsequent) when the Fund's total return exceeds distributions.

•  Because distribution source estimates are updated during the year based on the Fund's performance and forecast for its current fiscal year (which is the calendar year for the Fund), estimates on the nature of your distributions provided at the time the distributions are paid may differ from both the tax information reported to you in your Fund's IRS Form 1099 statement provided at year end, as well as the ultimate economic sources of distributions over the life of your investment.

The following table provides information regarding the Fund's common share distributions and total return performance for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. This information is intended to help you better understand whether the Fund's returns for the specified time period were sufficient to meet its distributions.

*  Current distribution rate is based on the Fund's current annualized quarterly distribution divided by the Fund's current market price. The Fund's quarterly distributions to its shareholders may be comprised of ordinary income, net realized capital gains and, if at the end of the fiscal year the Fund's cumulative net ordinary income and net realized gains are less than the amount of the Fund's distributions, a return of capital for tax purposes.

**  The Fund elected to retain a portion of its realized long-term capital gains for the tax years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, and pay required federal corporate income taxes on these amounts. As reported on Form 2439, common shareholders on record date must include their pro-rata share of these gains on their applicable federal tax returns, and are entitled to take offsetting tax credits, for their pro-rata share of the taxes paid by the Fund. The total returns "Including retained gain tax credit/refund" include the economic benefit to common shareholders on record date of these tax credits/refunds. The Fund had no retained capital gains for the tax years ended December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2014 or for the tax years ended prior to December 31, 2006.

Common Share Information (continued)

COMMON SHARE REPURCHASES

During August 2014, the Fund's Board of Trustees reauthorized an open-market share repurchase program, allowing the Fund to repurchase an aggregate of up to approximately 10% of its outstanding shares.

As of December 31, 2014, and since the inception of the Fund's repurchase program, the Fund has cumulatively repurchased and retired common shares as shown in the accompanying table.

During the current reporting period, the Fund did not repurchase any of its outstanding common shares.

OTHER COMMON SHARE INFORMATION

As of December 31, 2014, and during the current reporting period, the Fund's common share price was trading at a premium/(discount) to its common share NAV as shown in the accompanying table.

Risk

Considerations

Fund shares are not guaranteed or endorsed by any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Shares of closed-end funds are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Fund common shares are subject to a variety of risks, including:

Investment, Market and Price Risk. An investment in common shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. Your investment in common shares represents an indirect investment in the corporate securities owned by the Fund, which generally trade in the over-the-counter markets. Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund frequently trade at a discount to their NAV. Your common shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.

Leverage Risk. The Fund's use of leverage creates the possibility of higher volatility for the Fund's per share NAV, market price and distributions. Leverage risk can be introduced through regulatory leverage (issuing preferred shares or debt borrowings at the Fund level) or through certain derivative investments held in the Fund's portfolio. Leverage typically magnifies the total return of a Fund's portfolio, whether that return is positive or negative. The use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased common share net income, but there is no assurance that the Fund's leveraging strategy will be successful.

Tax Risk. The Fund's investment program and the tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by IRS interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code and future changes in tax laws and regulations that may alter the existing favorable tax treatment of tax-advantaged dividends. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 increased the maximum rate on tax-advantaged dividends to 20% effective January 1, 2013 on persons earning over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for married couples filing jointly. There can be no assurance as to the percentage of the Fund's distributions that will qualify as tax-advantaged dividends.

Common Stock Risk. Common stock returns often have experienced significant volatility.

Issuer Credit Risk. This is the risk that a security in the Fund's portfolio will fail to make dividend or interest payments when due.

Illiquid Securities Risk. This is the risk that the Fund may not be able to sell securities in its portfolio at the time or price desired by the Fund.

Below-Investment Grade Risk. Investments in securities below investment grade quality are predominantly speculative and subject to greater volatility and risk of default.

Unrated Investment Risk. In determining whether an unrated security is an appropriate investment for the Fund, the manager will consider information from industry sources, as well as its own quantitative and qualitative analysis, in making such a determination. However, such a determination by the manager is not the equivalent of a rating by a rating agency.

Dividend Income Risk. There is no guarantee that the issuers of common stocks in which the Fund invests will declare dividends in the future or that, if declared, they will remain at current levels or increase over time.

Risk Considerations (continued)

Risks from Unsecured Adjustable Rate Loans or Insufficient Collateral Securing Adjustable Rate Loans. Some of the adjustable rate loans in which the Fund may invest will be unsecured or insufficiently collateralized, thereby increasing the risk of loss to the Fund in the event of issuer default.

Value Stock Risk. Value stocks are securities that the manager believes to be undervalued or mispriced. If the manager's assessment of a company's prospects is wrong, the price of the company's common stock or other equity securities may fall, or may not approach the value that the manager has placed on them.

Derivatives Strategy Risk. Derivative securities, such as calls, puts, warrants, swaps and forwards, carry risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with the underlying investments.

Interest Rate Swaps Risk. The risk that yields will move in the direction opposite to the direction anticipated by a Fund, which would cause a Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect the Fund's performance.

Reinvestment Risk. If market interest rates decline, income earned from the Fund's portfolio may be reinvested at rates below that of the original bond that generated the income.

JTA

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

Performance Overview and Holding Summaries as of December 31, 2014

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014¹
(including retained gain tax credit/refund)

Past performance is not predictive of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the data shown. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders may have to pay on Fund distributions or upon the sale of Fund shares. Returns at NAV are net of Fund expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. Comparative index return information is provided for the Fund's shares at NAV only. Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Common Share Price Performance — Weekly Closing Price

This data relates to the securities held in the Fund's portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

Portfolio Composition

(% of total investments)²

Top Five Issuers

(% of total investments)²

1  As previously explained in the Common Share Information section of this report, the Fund elected to retain a portion of its realized long-term capital gains for the tax years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, and pay required federal corporate income taxes on these amounts. These standardized total returns include the economic benefit to common shareholders of record of this tax credit/refund. The Fund had no retained capital gains for the tax years ended December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2014 or for the tax years ended prior to December 31, 2006.

2  Excluding investments in derivatives.

Shareholder

Meeting Report

The annual meeting of shareholders was held in the offices of Nuveen Investments on August 5, 2014 for JTA; at this meeting the shareholders were asked to vote to approve a new investment management agreement, to approve new sub-advisory agreements and to elect Board Members.

Report of

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund (the "Fund") as of December 31, 2014, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows, and the financial highlights for the year then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit. The statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the periods presented through December 31, 2013, were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 27, 2014, expressed an unqualified opinion on that statement and those financial highlights.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, its cash flows and the financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 25, 2015

JTA

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

Portfolio of Investments  December 31, 2014

JTA  Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund
Portfolio of Investments (continued)  December 31, 2014

JTA  Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund
Portfolio of Investments (continued)  December 31, 2014

JTA  Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund
Portfolio of Investments (continued)  December 31, 2014