Micro Entrepreneur - TVA - Non EU clients

As an Micro Entrepreneur - Prestations de services (BIC), my last year’s turnover had passed the basic TVA threshold ( 36800 ) but below the increased TVA threshold ( 39100 ). This year, I foresee that my turnover might exceed both basic and increased TVA thresholds ( above 41250 ) at some point. I have done some research online and I would like to double-check with you.

1 - Do I request the TVA number right after I exceed 41250€ or should I do it before? Where is the official website where I can apply for it?

2 - I work as a freelance art director providing concept, design and animation services. My clients are almost 80% from UK and Singapore. They are big business companies ( not individuals ) like ad agencies or production studios. I am not sure if they are VAT registered but should be. I have found some info saying that if the work is B2B with a UK / SG based business registered with VAT number, I do not need to charge TVA even if I have exceeded the TVA threshold for ME. And in the new invoices, I should include the company’s VAT number and the clause “Exonération de TVA – article 44 de la directive 2006/112/CE – autoliquidation” ( This tells French authorities and your client that VAT is not charged because the client self-accounts for it in the UK / SG ). Does this sound right? Am I missing anything or getting it wrong?

3 - If I do not charge TVA to foreign companies and let’s say I have zero TVA income, I’ll still have to declare zero to the French tax authorities, right?

4 - When I work with a French company/individual - can I choose not to increase my current day rate with the added TVA? Eg. I use to charge 10 euros and now I have to charge 12 euros with TVA, which would put my clients off and potentially make me lose business opportunities. Instead, I charge 8 euros with 2 euros TVA to maintain the same rate for my clients. I will have to absorb the loss myself and pay the 20% TVA out of my own pocket. It’s certainly not idea,l but do I have any other way if I do not want to overcharge my clients?

5 - Do we have benefits from charging and paying TVA at the end of the day? As you know, ME status doesn’t let us deduct any work expenses like buying and renewing software, tools and equipment, which can be quite a big sum of money to spend for a 1 man company. The added TVA is an extra burden on top of the social tax, 20% + 22% and that’s a lot. Do you think it’s worth switching to eg. SASU if my turnover reaches more than 60000?

Thank you so much, and I look forward to your responses!

Cindy