Initial principal amount of loans securitized.

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Losses Related To Discontinued Operations, Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of days of wages per tax season equal up to damages seek by plaintiffs in wage and hour class action lawsuits.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number Of Lawsuits

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number Of Securitization Transactions

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	hrb_
Data Type:	xbrli:positiveIntegerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Severance benefits claim.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Aggregate carrying amount of the estimated litigation liability for known or estimated probable loss from litigation, which may include attorneys' fees and other litigation costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the gross amount awarded, to be received by, or to be remitted to the entity in settlement of litigation occurring during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Details

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Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

The portion of the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the combined total of loss contingency liabilities which is expected to be resolved after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

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- Definition

Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (b)

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- Definition

The estimated maximum amount of possible loss from the contingency.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 14

-Paragraph 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

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-Paragraph 4

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- Definition

This is the principal amount outstanding for securitized loans only (across all types of loans).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 860

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (e)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 140

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph i

-Clause 4

-Subclause a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS140-4/FIN46(R)-8

-Paragraph B11

-Subparagraph b

-Clause 6

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Litigation And Related Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012 item lawsuit D	Jan. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012 Investigations, Legal Claims And Lawsuits [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Pending Or Threatened Litigation [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Lemus Case [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Williams Case [Member]	Mar. 17, 2009 RSM Parties Case [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] Investigations, Legal Claims And Lawsuits [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] Investigations, Legal Claims And Lawsuits [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued obligations under indemnifications	$ 79.0		$ 69.6
Liability for legal claims	130.0								0	122.0
Percentage of losses related to discontinued operations				80.00%
Claims for severance benefits	8
Initial principal on loans securitized					50
Principal outstanding on loans securitized					41
Expected payment for settlement of litigation, maximum						35.0	7.5	41.5
Litigation settlement amount	28
Estimated litigation liability	$ 650	$ 28
Number of lawsuits	9
Number of securitization transactions	25
Number of days of wages per tax season equal up to damages seek by plaintiffs	30