The Company and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
The Company and Basis of Presentation	The Company and Basis of Presentation Description of the business: Blucora, Inc. (the “Company” or “Blucora”) operates two businesses: a Wealth Management business and an online Tax Preparation business. The Wealth Management business consists of the operations of HDV Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“HD Vest”). HDV Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of the Wealth Management business and owns all outstanding shares of HD Vest, Inc., which serves as a holding company for the various financial services subsidiaries. Those subsidiaries include HD Vest Investment Securities, Inc. (an introducing broker-dealer), HD Vest Advisory Services, Inc. (a registered investment advisor), and HD Vest Insurance Agency, LLC (an insurance broker). The Tax Preparation business consists of the operations of TaxAct, Inc. (“TaxAct”) and provides digital tax preparation solutions for consumers, small business owners, and tax professionals through its website www.TaxAct.com. The Company also operated an internet Search and Content business and an E-Commerce business through 2016. The Search and Content business operated through the InfoSpace LLC subsidiary (“InfoSpace”) and provided search services and online content. The E-Commerce business consisted of the operations of Monoprice, Inc. (“Monoprice”) and sold self-branded electronics and accessories to both consumers and businesses. On October 14, 2015, the Company announced its plans to focus on the technology-enabled financial solutions market (the “Strategic Transformation”). Strategic Transformation refers to the Company's transformation into a technology-enabled financial solutions company comprised of TaxAct and HD Vest (see "Note 3: Business Combinations") and the divestitures of the Search and Content and E-Commerce businesses (see "Note 4: Discontinued Operations"). As part of the Strategic Transformation and “One Company” operating model, the Company announced, on October 27, 2016, plans to relocate its corporate headquarters by June 2017 from Bellevue, Washington to Irving, Texas. The actions to relocate corporate headquarters are intended to drive efficiencies and improve operational effectiveness (see "Note 5: Restructuring"). The Company completed both divestitures in 2016. Specifically, on November 17, 2016, the Company closed on an agreement with YFC-Boneagle Electric Co., Ltd (“YFC”), under which YFC acquired the E-Commerce business for $40.5 million. On August 9, 2016, the Company closed on an agreement with OpenMail LLC (“OpenMail”), under which OpenMail acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain specified liabilities of the Search and Content business for $45.2 million. Segments: The Company has two reportable segments: the Wealth Management segment, which is the HD Vest business, and the Tax Preparation segment, which is the TaxAct business. The former Search and Content and E-Commerce segments are included in discontinued operations. The former Search and Content segment was the InfoSpace business, and the former E-Commerce segment was the Monoprice business. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the Company uses the term “Wealth Management” to represent services sold through the HD Vest business, the term “Tax Preparation” to represent services and software sold through the TaxAct business, the term “Search and Content” to represent search and content services sold through the InfoSpace business, and the term “E-Commerce” to represent products sold through the Monoprice business (see "Note 12: Segment Information"). Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Reclassification: The Company reclassified certain amounts on its consolidated statements of cash flows related to excess tax benefits generated from stock-based compensation and restricted cash, both in connection with the implementation of new accounting pronouncements. See the "Recent accounting pronouncements" section of "Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for additional information. Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and disclosure of contingencies. Estimates include those used for impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, useful lives of other intangible assets, acquisition accounting, valuation of investments, revenue recognition, the estimated allowance for sales returns and doubtful accounts, internally developed software, accrued contingencies, stock option valuation, and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual amounts may differ from estimates. Net capital and regulatory requirements: The Company's HD Vest broker-dealer subsidiary operates in a highly regulated industry and is subject to various regulatory capital requirements. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have substantial monetary and non-monetary impacts to HD Vest's operations. As of March 31, 2017, HD Vest met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject. Seasonality: Blucora’s Tax Preparation segment is highly seasonal, with a significant portion of its annual revenue earned in the first four months of the Company’s fiscal year. During the third and fourth quarters, the Tax Preparation segment typically reports losses because revenue from the segment is minimal while core operating expenses continue.

The Company and Basis of Presentation

Description of the business: Blucora, Inc. (the “Company” or “Blucora”) operates two businesses: a Wealth Management business and an online Tax Preparation business. The Wealth Management business consists of the operations of HDV Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“HD Vest”). HDV Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of the Wealth Management business and owns all outstanding shares of HD Vest, Inc., which serves as a holding company for the various financial services subsidiaries. Those subsidiaries include HD Vest Investment Securities, Inc. (an introducing broker-dealer), HD Vest Advisory Services, Inc. (a registered investment advisor), and HD Vest Insurance Agency, LLC (an insurance broker). The Tax Preparation business consists of the operations of TaxAct, Inc. (“TaxAct”) and provides digital tax preparation solutions for consumers, small business owners, and tax professionals through its website www.TaxAct.com.

The Company also operated an internet Search and Content business and an E-Commerce business through 2016. The Search and Content business operated through the InfoSpace LLC subsidiary (“InfoSpace”) and provided search services and online content. The E-Commerce business consisted of the operations of Monoprice, Inc. (“Monoprice”) and sold self-branded electronics and accessories to both consumers and businesses.

On October 14, 2015, the Company announced its plans to focus on the technology-enabled financial solutions market (the “Strategic Transformation”). Strategic Transformation refers to the Company's transformation into a technology-enabled financial solutions company comprised of TaxAct and HD Vest (see "Note 3: Business Combinations") and the divestitures of the Search and Content and E-Commerce businesses (see "Note 4: Discontinued Operations"). As part of the Strategic Transformation and “One Company” operating model, the Company announced, on October 27, 2016, plans to relocate its corporate headquarters by June 2017 from Bellevue, Washington to Irving, Texas. The actions to relocate corporate headquarters are intended to drive efficiencies and improve operational effectiveness (see "Note 5: Restructuring").

The Company completed both divestitures in 2016. Specifically, on November 17, 2016, the Company closed on an agreement with YFC-Boneagle Electric Co., Ltd (“YFC”), under which YFC acquired the E-Commerce business for $40.5 million. On August 9, 2016, the Company closed on an agreement with OpenMail LLC (“OpenMail”), under which OpenMail acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain specified liabilities of the Search and Content business for $45.2 million.

Segments: The Company has two reportable segments: the Wealth Management segment, which is the HD Vest business, and the Tax Preparation segment, which is the TaxAct business. The former Search and Content and E-Commerce segments are included in discontinued operations. The former Search and Content segment was the InfoSpace business, and the former E-Commerce segment was the Monoprice business. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the Company uses the term “Wealth Management” to represent services sold through the HD Vest business, the term “Tax Preparation” to represent services and software sold through the TaxAct business, the term “Search and Content” to represent search and content services sold through the InfoSpace business, and the term “E-Commerce” to represent products sold through the Monoprice business (see "Note 12: Segment Information").

Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Reclassification: The Company reclassified certain amounts on its consolidated statements of cash flows related to excess tax benefits generated from stock-based compensation and restricted cash, both in connection with the implementation of new accounting pronouncements. See the "Recent accounting pronouncements" section of "Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for additional information.

Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and disclosure of contingencies. Estimates include those used for impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, useful lives of other intangible assets, acquisition accounting, valuation of investments, revenue recognition, the estimated allowance for sales returns and doubtful accounts, internally developed software, accrued contingencies, stock option valuation, and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual amounts may differ from estimates.

Net capital and regulatory requirements: The Company's HD Vest broker-dealer subsidiary operates in a highly regulated industry and is subject to various regulatory capital requirements. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have substantial monetary and non-monetary impacts to HD Vest's operations. As of March 31, 2017, HD Vest met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject.

Seasonality: Blucora’s Tax Preparation segment is highly seasonal, with a significant portion of its annual revenue earned in the first four months of the Company’s fiscal year. During the third and fourth quarters, the Tax Preparation segment typically reports losses because revenue from the segment is minimal while core operating expenses continue.