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If your son CAN be claimed as a dependent then the rule is that he was supposed to say on his own tax return that he can be claimed.  Look at the top of his Form 1040.  See if the box is checked for whether he can be claimed as a dependent----it is near the words Standard Deduction partway down the first page of Form 1040.

If he said he cannot be claimed  (by not checking that box), then when you try to e-file and claim him, your e-file will be rejected and you will have to file by mail.  And...he will have to amend his tax return after it has been fully processed.   You will not need to wait for him to amend.

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, or fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2022 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They're related to you.
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They're under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.
• They lived with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
• They didn't provide more than half of their own support for the year.

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
• They made less than $4,400 in 2022.
• You provided more than half of their financial support.

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them. There may be other tax benefits you can get when you claim a dependent.