Receivables (Schedule Of Activity In The Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Beginning balance	$ 47,943	$ 91,157
Provision	2,358	2,106
Charge-offs	(1,889)	(1,530)
Ending balance	48,412	91,733
Emerald Advance Lines Of Credit [Member]
Beginning balance	4,400	35,239
Provision	1,530	1,120
Ending balance	5,930	36,359
Tax Client Receivables - RALs [Member]
Beginning balance		12,191
Provision		2
Ending balance		12,193
Loans To Franchisees [Member]
Beginning balance		4
Charge-offs		(4)
All Other Receivables [Member]
Beginning balance	43,543	43,723
Provision	828	984
Charge-offs	(1,889)	(1,526)
Ending balance	$ 42,482	$ 43,181