Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

9 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis Of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2012, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows at January 31, 2012 and for all periods presented have been made. See below for discussion of our presentation of discontinued operations.

"H&R Block," "the Company," "we," "our" and "us" are used interchangeably to refer to H&R Block, Inc. or to H&R Block, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as appropriate to the context.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our April 30, 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K. All amounts presented herein as of April 30, 2011 or for the year then ended, are derived from our April 30, 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K.

Management Estimates

Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates, assumptions and judgments are applied in the determination of our allowance for loan losses, potential losses from loan repurchase and indemnity obligations associated with our discontinued mortgage business, contingent losses associated with pending claims and litigation, fair value of reporting units, valuation allowances based on future taxable income, reserves for uncertain tax positions, credit losses on receivable balances and related matters. Estimates have been prepared on the basis of the most current and best information available as of each balance sheet date. As such, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Seasonality Of Business

Seasonality of Business

Our operating revenues are seasonal in nature with peak revenues occurring in the months of January through April. Therefore, results for interim periods are not indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

Discontinued Operations - Recent Events

Discontinued Operations – Recent Events

In November 2011, we sold substantially all assets of RSM McGladrey, Inc. (RSM) to McGladrey & Pullen LLP (M&P) for net cash proceeds of $495.6 million. We also received a short-term note in the amount of $32.3 million and a long-term note in the amount of $54.0 million. M&P assumed substantially all liabilities of RSM, including contingent payments and lease obligations. We have indemnified M&P for certain litigation matters as discussed in note 13. The net after tax loss on the sale of RSM totaled $37.1 million, which includes an $85.4 million impairment of goodwill recorded in our first quarter and tax benefits of $20.5 million recorded in the third quarter associated with capital loss carry-forwards utilized.

In the first quarter, we also announced we were evaluating strategic alternatives for RSM EquiCo, Inc. (EquiCo), and effective January 31, 2012, we sold the assets of EquiCo's subsidiary, McGladrey Capital Markets LLC (MCM), for cash proceeds of $1.0 million. We have indemnified the buyer for certain litigation matters related to this business. The net after tax loss on the sale of MCM totaled $12.4 million and included a $14.3 million impairment of goodwill recorded in our first quarter. The remaining EquiCo businesses will be wound down.

As of January 31, 2012, the results of operations of these businesses are presented as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated financial statements. All periods presented in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations have been reclassified to reflect our discontinued operations. See additional information in note 13.