Hi,
I have an 18 year old son he graduated from high school in 2006 and enrolled in college in the fall semester he also worked part time at Wal Mart. I would like to claim him on my taxes but I know he is also looking forward to getting his first tax return. Should I file him and claim him as a dependent and report his earnings on my tax return or should he file alone?

He should file his return, but NOT claim his exemption.

YOU should claim him, as his exemption is worth more to you than him.

Offer to pay him what he would have gotten had he claimed himself. This is easily calculated with tax software.

That way, you BOTH win!