Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	$ (394,549)	$ (348,251)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(39,275)
Mortgage loans originated for investment, net	11,192	17,618
Purchase property & equipment	(10,953)	(8,634)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net	(3,457)	(33,226)
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net	21,230	26,387
Loans made to franchisees	(16,477)	(33,720)
Repayments from franchisees	5,320	6,724
Other, net	18,167	18,848
Net cash used in investing activities	(14,253)	(6,003)
Customer banking deposits	(186,245)	(121,401)
Dividends paid	(45,894)	(48,692)
Repurchase of common stock	(2,002)	(164,369)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,762	1,500
Other, net	(24,916)	(15,987)
Net cash used in financing activities	(257,295)	(348,949)
Effects of exchange rates on cash	962	(2,232)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(665,135)	(705,435)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,677,844	1,804,045
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	1,012,709	1,098,610
H&R Block, Inc. (Guarantor) [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	2,048	22,849
Net intercompany advances	44,084	188,324
Net cash used in investing activities	44,084	188,324
Dividends paid	(45,894)	(48,692)
Repurchase of common stock	(2,002)	(164,369)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,762	1,500
Other, net	2	388
Net cash used in financing activities	(46,132)	(211,173)
BFC (Issuer) [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	(22,900)	(43,301)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(39,275)
Mortgage loans originated for investment, net	11,192	17,618
Purchase property & equipment	(54)
Loans made to franchisees	(16,477)	(33,720)
Repayments from franchisees	5,320	6,724
Other, net	12,031	40,668
Net cash used in investing activities	(27,263)	31,290
Customer banking deposits	(186,268)	(121,166)
Net intercompany advances	33,312	35,507
Other, net	22	176
Net cash used in financing activities	(152,934)	(85,483)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(203,097)	(97,494)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	616,238	702,021
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	413,141	604,527
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	(373,697)	(327,799)
Purchase property & equipment	(10,899)	(8,634)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net	(3,457)	(33,226)
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net	21,230	26,387
Other, net	6,136	(21,820)
Net cash used in investing activities	13,010	(37,293)
Net intercompany advances	(77,396)	(223,831)
Other, net	(24,940)	(16,551)
Net cash used in financing activities	(102,336)	(240,382)
Effects of exchange rates on cash	962	(2,232)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(462,061)	(607,706)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,061,656	1,102,135
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	599,595	494,429
Elims [Member]
Net intercompany advances	(44,084)	(188,324)
Net cash used in investing activities	(44,084)	(188,324)
Customer banking deposits	23	(235)
Net intercompany advances	44,084	188,324
Net cash used in financing activities	44,107	188,089
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	23	(235)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	(50)	(111)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$ (27)	$ (346)