Is versement trimestriel the right choice?

I have been living in France for the last 6 years, not working, and have gone back to work since January this year as a free-lance English teacher in Toulouse. I joined the Auto-Entrepreneur scheme in December and had nothing to declare for the first quarter, but will have something for the next.

I opted for a three monthly paymment, but someone (not official) has told me that I will receive no tax free allowance and will be taxed on everything I earn and that I would have been better to opt for an end of year payment. I am not due to pay anything for 2011 and I reckon 2012 will not be a great earner. If this is the case, is it possible to change over to an end of year assessment? Which is better for a small income? I have no problems paying taxes, but would like not to lose out on a tax free ceiling.

I have been paying private health insurance from Ireland for the past 6 years. Under the Auto-Entrepreneur scheme I think I am now entitled to a Carte de Santé. I received two seperate letters from the RSI asking for a copy of my birth cert and a translation. These I duly sent off over a month ago. I have heard back nothing since and am not sure whether to wait or to contact someone and if so who?