Receivables (Schedule Of Activity In The Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 47,943	$ 91,157
Provision	50,632	94,288
Charge-offs	(34,436)	(82,608)
Ending balance	64,139	102,837
Emerald Advance Lines Of Credit [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	4,400	35,239
Provision	33,570	71,325
Charge-offs		(32,919)
Ending balance	37,970	73,645
Tax Client Receivables - RALs [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance		12,191
Provision		2
Charge-offs		(12,193)
Loans To Franchisees [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance		4
Charge-offs		(4)
All Other Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	43,543	43,723
Provision	17,062	22,961
Charge-offs	(34,436)	(37,492)
Ending balance	$ 26,169	$ 29,192