<Page> SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ---------- FORM 8-A FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 TS&W / CLAYMORE TAX-ADVANTAGED BALANCED FUND (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 32-6031278 (STATE OF INCORPORATION (I.R.S. EMPLOYER OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.) 210 N. HALE STREET 60187 WHEATON, ILLINOIS (ZIP CODE) (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) If this form relates to the If this form relates to the registration of a class of registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is and is effective pursuant to effective pursuant to General General Instruction A.(c), please Instruction A.(d), please check the check the following box. /X/ following box. / / Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates: 333 - 112832 Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH TO BE SO REGISTERED EACH CLASS IS TO BE REGISTERED Common Stock New York Stock Exchange Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None <Page> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT 1. Item Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered. The description of the Registrant's securities to be registered is incorporated by reference to the description contained under the caption "Description of Shares" in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2 (Nos. 333-112832 and 811-21515) as filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on February 13, 2004 (Accession No. 0000950172-04-000425) ("Registration Statement on Form N-2"), as amended by Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2, as filed with the Commission on March 19, 2004 (Accession No. 0001047469-04-008551), as amended by Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2, as filed with the Commission on March 26, 2004 (Accession No .0001047469-04-009492), Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2, as filed with the Commission on April 26, 2004 (Accession No. 0000912057-04-000392), which are incorporated by reference. ITEM 2. EXHIBITS. Pursuant to the Instructions as to Exhibits, no exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference. <Page> SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized. TS&W / CLAYMORE TAX-ADVANTAGED BALANCED FUND By: /s/ Nicholas Dalmaso -------------------------------------- Name: Nicholas Dalmaso Title: Trustee, Chief Legal and Executive Officer Date: April 27, 2004