Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	$ (582,628)	$ (548,001)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(155,159)
Mortgage loans originated for investment, net	22,978	30,829
Purchase property & equipment	(40,510)	(35,005)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net	(8,164)	(43,310)
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net	37,036	58,834
Loans made to franchisees	(27,682)	(64,851)
Repayments from franchisees	7,447	8,673
Other, net	36,934	28,195
Net cash used in investing activities	(127,120)	(16,635)
Repayments of commercial paper	(37,989)	(75,000)
Proceeds from commercial paper	77,979	114,490
Customer banking deposits	(129,285)	77,023
Dividends paid	(91,446)	(95,068)
Repurchase of common stock	(180,222)	(283,470)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net	(430)	1,493
Other, net	(28,057)	(21,352)
Net cash used in financing activities	(389,450)	(281,884)
Effects of exchange rates on cash	(6,035)	2,221
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,105,233)	(844,299)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,677,844	1,804,045
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	572,611	959,746
H&R Block, Inc. (Guarantor) [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	5,821	(46,961)
Net intercompany advances	266,274	423,572
Net cash used in investing activities	266,274	423,572
Dividends paid	(91,446)	(95,068)
Repurchase of common stock	(180,222)	(283,470)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net	(430)	1,493
Other, net	3	434
Net cash used in financing activities	(272,095)	(376,611)
BFC (Issuer) [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	(40,451)	(15,379)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(155,159)
Mortgage loans originated for investment, net	22,978	30,829
Purchase property & equipment	(94)
Loans made to franchisees	(27,682)	(64,851)
Repayments from franchisees	7,447	8,673
Other, net	28,300	15,941
Net cash used in investing activities	(124,210)	(9,408)
Repayments of commercial paper	(37,989)	(75,000)
Proceeds from commercial paper	77,979	114,490
Customer banking deposits	(129,055)	76,923
Net intercompany advances	17,228	15,851
Other, net	952	760
Net cash used in financing activities	(70,885)	133,024
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(235,546)	108,237
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	616,238	702,021
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	380,692	810,258
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	(547,998)	(485,661)
Purchase property & equipment	(40,416)	(35,005)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net	(8,164)	(43,310)
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net	37,036	58,834
Other, net	8,634	12,254
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,910)	(7,227)
Net intercompany advances	(283,502)	(439,423)
Other, net	(29,012)	(22,546)
Net cash used in financing activities	(312,514)	(461,969)
Effects of exchange rates on cash	(6,035)	2,221
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(869,457)	(952,636)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,061,656	1,102,135
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	192,199	149,499
Elims [Member]
Net intercompany advances	(266,274)	(423,572)
Net cash used in investing activities	(266,274)	(423,572)
Customer banking deposits	(230)	100
Net intercompany advances	266,274	423,572
Net cash used in financing activities	266,044	423,672
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(230)	100
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	(50)	(111)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$ (280)	$ (11)