A request to review my situation was forwarded to the US BAEC office. Here is their response:

"The tickets in question were purchased during the period that Executive Club was having a special promotion where you only needed half of mileage normally needed for travel on an award booking. The correct amount of mileage was credited back to your account (17,778 BA Miles). Member Services has advised me that the actually (sic) amount should have been 15,000 miles.

As far as any refund in taxes, there is none. Our Refunds team has reviewed the case and replied that the taxes are the same whether your traveling in First or Club World."

Guess the EU rules don't apply. Sigh.

Thanks to all for their input.

MileageMaven