Receivables (Schedule Of Short-Term Receivables) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	$ 1,100,041	$ 278,115	$ 1,276,309
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(64,139)	(47,943)	(102,837)
Receivables, net	1,035,902	230,172	1,173,472
Emerald Advance Lines Of Credit [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	443,717	31,645	674,317
Receivables For Tax Preparation And Related Fees [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	333,636	38,930	280,364
Royalties From Franchisees [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	88,597	11,645	84,049
Loans To Franchisees [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	81,415	62,181	85,269
Receivable From M&P [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	32,342
RAC Fees Receivable [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	28,942		51,704
Tax Client Receivables - RALs [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	1,727	2,412	4,874
Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	89,665	131,302	95,732
H&R Block, Inc. (Guarantor) [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	$ 63	$ 88