Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	$ (1,382,771)	$ (1,505,418)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(178,014)
Mortgage loans originated for investment, net	35,460	45,316
Purchase property & equipment	(71,549)	(51,198)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net	(16,022)	(50,832)
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net	533,055	62,298
Loans made to franchisees	(43,649)	(90,304)
Repayments from franchisees	8,455	9,926
Other, net	55,794	38,651
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	323,530	(36,143)
Repayments of commercial paper	(413,221)	(2,654,653)
Proceeds from commercial paper	644,168	3,286,603
Repayments of short-term borrowings		(2,654,653)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		3,286,603
Customer banking deposits	735,252	1,002,274
Dividends paid	(150,058)	(140,926)
Repurchase of common stock	(180,566)	(283,494)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net	(324)	(866)
Other, net	(31,424)	(10,062)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	603,827	1,198,876
Effects of exchange rates on cash	(3,446)	4,330
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(458,860)	(338,355)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,677,844	1,804,045
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	1,218,984	1,465,690
H&R Block, Inc. (Guarantor) [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	8,193	(43,026)
Net intercompany advances	322,729	467,873
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	322,729	467,873
Dividends paid	(150,058)	(140,926)
Repurchase of common stock	(180,566)	(283,494)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net	(324)	(866)
Other, net	26	439
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(330,922)	(424,847)
BFC (Issuer) [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	(448,362)	(725,197)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(178,014)
Mortgage loans originated for investment, net	35,460	45,316
Purchase property & equipment	(152)
Loans made to franchisees	(43,649)	(90,304)
Repayments from franchisees	8,455	9,926
Other, net	47,230	28,612
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(130,670)	(6,450)
Repayments of commercial paper	(413,221)
Proceeds from commercial paper	644,168
Repayments of short-term borrowings		(2,654,653)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		3,286,603
Customer banking deposits	735,491	1,003,482
Net intercompany advances	61,747	(315,752)
Other, net	57	(365)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,028,242	1,319,315
Net increase (decrease) in cash	449,210	587,668
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	616,238	702,021
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	1,065,448	1,289,689
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	(942,602)	(737,195)
Purchase property & equipment	(71,397)	(51,198)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net	(16,022)	(50,832)
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net	533,055	62,298
Other, net	8,564	10,039
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	454,200	(29,693)
Net intercompany advances	(384,476)	(152,121)
Other, net	(31,507)	(10,136)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(415,983)	(162,257)
Effects of exchange rates on cash	(3,446)	4,330
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(907,831)	(924,815)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,061,656	1,102,135
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	153,825	177,320
Eliminations [Member]
Net intercompany advances	(322,729)	(467,873)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(322,729)	(467,873)
Customer banking deposits	(239)	(1,208)
Net intercompany advances	322,729	467,873
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	322,490	466,665
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(239)	(1,208)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	(50)	(111)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$ (289)	$ (1,319)