social security numbers - must you have one for tax purposes?

Just wondering - social security numbers are being used so frequently and I’m a little concerned about people using them to store information. Must we get one for our child if we want to claim him on our income taxes? Are there any loopholes?

Must get one for your child. I mean, I guess you could skip it for a couple of years, but eventually your child will have to go to school. . .and they need one there.

You must get your child a social security number if you want to claim him/her on your taxes.

Some Amish can be except from the social security system and are not required to obtain an account number. They still have to file and pay income tax, not sure if they must obtain some other number for that or not.

I believe in general if you want to claim a dependent on a federal tax filing, you must provide the social security number.

IIRC all children over the age of 5 need a SS# for the parents taxes.
Some religous groups are exempt as aahala pointed out.