Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	$ (373,140)	$ (394,549)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(28,990)	(39,275)
Mortgage loans originated for investment, net	12,652	11,192
Purchase property & equipment	(13,273)	(10,953)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net	(2,972)	(3,457)
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net		21,230
Loans made to franchisees	(5,062)	(16,477)
Repayments from franchisees	5,154	5,320
Other, net	25,776	18,167
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(6,715)	(14,253)
Repayments of long-term borrowings	(30,831)
Customer banking deposits	(179,519)	(186,245)
Dividends paid	(54,201)	(45,894)
Repurchase of common stock	(339,088)	(2,002)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net	468	1,762
Other, net	(19,939)	(24,916)
Net cash used in financing activities	(623,110)	(257,295)
Effects of exchange rates on cash	(1,498)	962
Net decrease in cash	(1,004,463)	(665,135)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,944,334	1,677,844
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	939,871	1,012,709
H&R Block, Inc. (Guarantor) [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	(20,577)	2,048
Net intercompany advances	413,392	44,084
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	413,392	44,084
Dividends paid	(54,201)	(45,894)
Repurchase of common stock	(339,088)	(2,002)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net	468	1,762
Other, net	6	2
Net cash used in financing activities	(392,815)	(46,132)
Block Financial (Issuer) [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	(42,793)	(22,900)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(28,990)	(39,275)
Mortgage loans originated for investment, net	12,652	11,192
Purchase property & equipment	(31)	(54)
Loans made to franchisees	(5,062)	(16,477)
Repayments from franchisees	5,154	5,320
Other, net	22,766	12,031
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,489	(27,263)
Customer banking deposits	(179,038)	(186,268)
Net intercompany advances	42,908	33,312
Other, net	146	22
Net cash used in financing activities	(135,984)	(152,934)
Net decrease in cash	(172,288)	(203,097)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	515,147	616,238
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	342,859	413,141
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	(309,770)	(373,697)
Purchase property & equipment	(13,242)	(10,899)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net	(2,972)	(3,457)
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net		21,230
Other, net	3,010	6,136
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(13,204)	13,010
Repayments of long-term borrowings	(30,831)
Net intercompany advances	(456,300)	(77,396)
Other, net	(20,091)	(24,940)
Net cash used in financing activities	(507,222)	(102,336)
Effects of exchange rates on cash	(1,498)	962
Net decrease in cash	(831,694)	(462,061)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	1,430,030	1,061,656
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	598,336	599,595
Eliminations [Member]
Net intercompany advances	(413,392)	(44,084)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(413,392)	(44,084)
Customer banking deposits	(481)	23
Net intercompany advances	413,392	44,084
Net cash used in financing activities	412,911	44,107
Net decrease in cash	(481)	23
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	(843)	(50)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$ (1,324)	$ (27)