Loss Per Share And Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Loss Per Share And Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Diluted earnings per share excludes the impact of shares of common stock issuable, shares	9,600,000	12,600,000	9,600,000	12,600,000
Weighted average shares outstanding	292,963,000	305,144,000	299,450,000	310,546,000
Common stock shares issued			1,000,000	1,100,000
Repurchased and retired H&R Block common stock, shares			13,000,000	19,000,000
Retirement of common shares, value			$ 177.5	$ 279.9
Purchase of H&R Block common stock, shares			200,000	200,000
Purchase of H&R Block common stock, value			3.1	3.5
Awards vesting period (in years)			three
Stock options granted in period			2,400,000
Nonvested shares granted in period			1,000,000
Weighted average fair value of options granted			3.36
Stock-based compensation expense total	2.0	3.5	11.0	7.3
Unrecognized compensation cost, options			7.5
Unrecognized compensation cost, nonvested shares	$ 16.5		$ 16.5