About Essential Tax Filing

• Accuracy: We ensure every detail is correct, every time.
• Integrity: Trust is at the core of everything we do.
• Excellence: We strive for the highest level of service.

At Essential Tax Filing, our mission is rooted in trust, precision, and empowerment—principles shaped by the depth and impact of our founder Michael Bolden’s professional journey.

With over seven years of experience as a Senior Auditor and Employee Benefit Plan Specialist, Michael has worked with a wide range of clients, including some of the most respected nonprofit organizations in Houston and Fortune 500 companies across various industries. His career includes pivotal roles at a top-tier firm, Grant Thornton LLP, and a nationally recognized midsize CPA firm, where he led audit engagements, ensured regulatory compliance, and built strong, solutions-driven relationships with business owners and leadership teams.

Michael’s passion for financial empowerment began early. As a student at the University of Houston-Downtown, he co-founded the campus-based IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program—an initiative that remains active more than a decade later. Under his leadership as Program Chair, the VITA initiative expanded from a single site to three on-campus and five off-campus locations. He trained over 100 volunteers, led a team of 40+ certified tax preparers, and helped generate more than $1.5 million in tax refunds for underserved families—all while passing a surprise IRS audit with full compliance.

Michael holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Management, graduating Cum Laude. His commitment to accuracy, education, and long-term client success continues to shape every service offered through Essential Tax Filing—where individuals, nonprofits, and business owners gain more than a tax service; they gain a trusted partner.