How to open an LLC in Washington (who to go through?)?

[Kyrstin Szewczyk]

I feel like every LLC question is someone in CA...

One theme I do see (besides the high annual price of CA LLCs....) is you need a good attorney / accountant. Do I need BOTH or just one? 

Does anyone have an LLC in Washington and know a good contact?

Is contacting an attorney a first step? 

Side question, do you know a good Washington based tax accountant? I've been doing my taxes and having someone look over them but I want someone who really knows real estate and really knows Washington laws, to not only make sure I fill out my taxes correctly but can keep me updated on any tax incentives / strategies that might help me plan my investments as well. 

[Greg Verge]

I looked at legal zoom but then just did it directly myself. Legal zoom and other similar websites just ask you the same info as the form and then fill out the state form for you. Might as well directly fill it out yourself. $200 online submission at https://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/limitedliabilitycompaniesllconlineandpaperregistrations.aspx. Super easy and quick to do yourself in WA. You need to set up a state web account to service your LLC annual reports anyway and that is 1/2 the effort. As a side note the annual submission to the state for the LLC is trivial to do and basically just confirms your info has not changed since last year. You will also need to get a tax ID for your LLC and that is equally easy to do directly from the IRS at https://irs-tax-gov.com/application/?form=llc. Just make sure to lock down your LLC legal name with the state first and ensure it is identical across all forms.