Receivables (Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 67,466	$ 112,475
Emerald Advance Lines of Credit [Member]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	4,400	35,239
Tax Client Receivables - RALs [Member]
Allowance for doubtful accounts		12,191
Loans to Franchisees [Member]
Allowance for doubtful accounts		4
All Other Receivables [Member]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 63,066	$ 65,041

A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 4
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant