you don't have to call anyone. Everything can be done online. But each step needs to happen properly not to mess up come tax time and get subject to pro rata rule.
Backdoor roth is a nice little loophole that is used by those who can not directly contribute to roth due to higher income. While there is income limit for contribution to roth, there is no income limit to contribute to traditional IRA.
the most important step you have to do is first get rid of any of your pre-tax ira money. (tira, sep ira). Either you roll them over to a 401k or if the amount is very low you can convert it to roth and take the tax hit. If you don't have any then it's as simple as clicking few boxes.
1. Open a traditional account
2. Open a Roth Account
3. Contribute 6K to traditional account (2019), you can also contribute 5.5K for 2018 up until april 2019. The website gives u option which year u are contributing for.
4. Crucial step: Make sure there are no pre-tax money in any IRA anywhere under your name. If yes then roll that over to a 401k/403b/457. Or if the amount is very low and u don't mind, u can convert it to roth and tax a tax hit. <-- this would be the first step if you already have a traditional IRA account.
5. Convert traditional to Roth (not transfer) before they start making any money. Since ur contributions were post tax (nondeductible contribution) there is no tax consequences for this conversion.
6. Report it during filing tax: form 8806.
Keep track of the year as there are two separate things: one is contribution, another is conversion. It gets a little confusing since you have up until april 2019 tax file day to contribute for the year 2018. So you would report contribution of 2018 for 2018 tax return even if the contribution was done in 2019. But if you convert in 2019 (anytime from Jan 1st) - you have to report the conversion next year (2020) when 2019 tax is due.
If you are married you can also open one for your wife. giving u a potential 5.5 (2018) + 6 (2019) for you and 5.5 + 6 for your wife. A total of 23K of roth money
just to start- all growing tax free for years. <--- just dont lose everything in the market like we been having lol. You can buy whatever u want.. no restrictions like in 401k.