Receivables (Schedule Of Activity In The Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Apr. 30, 2012 Emerald Advance Lines Of Credit [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Emerald Advance Lines Of Credit [Member]	Apr. 30, 2010 Emerald Advance Lines Of Credit [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Tax Client Receivables - RALs [Member]	Apr. 30, 2010 Tax Client Receivables - RALs [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Loans To Franchisees [Member]	Apr. 30, 2009 Loans To Franchisees [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 All Other [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 All Other [Member]	Apr. 30, 2010 All Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 47,943	$ 91,157	$ 108,715	$ 4,400	$ 35,239	$ 42,875	$ 12,191	$ 14,136	$ 4	$ 4	$ 43,543	$ 43,723	$ 51,700
Provision	66,662	137,939	102,923	28,057	91,546	33,919	2	12,193			38,605	46,391	56,811
Charge-offs	(70,016)	(181,153)	(120,481)	(26,257)	(122,385)	(41,555)	(12,193)	(14,138)	(4)		(43,759)	(46,571)	(64,788)
Ending balance	$ 44,589	$ 47,943	$ 91,157	$ 6,200	$ 4,400	$ 35,239		$ 12,191		$ 4	$ 38,389	$ 43,543	$ 43,723