Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Apr. 30, 2009
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (5,600,000)	$ 218,000	$ (18,711,000)	$ (55,943,000)	$ 15,728,000	$ (1,687,000)	$ 2,395,000	$ (2,873,000)	$ (80,036,000)	$ 13,563,000	$ 24,119,000
Tax benefit (expense) from discontinued operations									74,900,000	(13,800,000)	(18,900,000)
Effective tax rate on discontinued operations									48.40%	50.50%	44.00%
Deferred tax asset	235,385,000				312,104,000				235,385,000	312,104,000
Operating loss carryforwards	212,000,000								212,000,000
Reduction to capital loss valuation allowance due to tax effect of disposition of businesses									60,000,000
Increase (Decrease) to noncurrent deferred tax liabilities	36,700,000				66,300,000				36,700,000	66,300,000
Unrecognized tax benefit	206,393,000				154,848,000				206,393,000	154,848,000	129,767,000	124,605,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	150,400,000				117,600,000				150,400,000	117,600,000	106,800,000
Effect of anticipated settlements of audit issues and expiring statutes of limitations	66,000,000								66,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in gross interest and penalties accrued on uncertain tax positions	(5,500,000)				4,400,000				(5,500,000)	4,400,000	4,100,000
Total gross interest and penalties accrued	38,600,000				44,100,000				38,600,000	44,100,000	39,700,000
Statutory federal tax rate									35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
H&R Block, Inc. (Guarantor) [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations									(80,036,000)	13,563,000	24,119,000
Ameriprise [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred tax asset	85,800,000				150,900,000				85,800,000	150,900,000
Valuation allowance	63,600,000				126,300,000				63,600,000	126,300,000
State And Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred tax asset	18,200,000								18,200,000
Valuation allowance	$ 12,800,000								$ 12,800,000