Receivables (Schedule Of Activity In The Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 44,589	$ 47,943	$ 91,157
Provision	75,726	66,662	137,939
Charge-offs	(62,612)	(70,016)	(181,153)
Ending balance	57,703	44,589	47,943
Emerald Advance lines of credit
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	6,200	4,400	35,239
Provision	28,430	28,057	91,546
Charge-offs	(27,240)	(26,257)	(122,385)
Ending balance	7,390	6,200	4,400
Loans to franchisees
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	0	4
Provision	0	0	0
Charge-offs	0	0	(4)
Ending balance	0	0	0
Receivables for tax preparation and related fees
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,279	3,892	3,850
Provision	4,647	1,631	4,853
Charge-offs	(4,157)	(3,244)	(4,811)
Ending balance	2,769	2,279	3,892
Royalties from franchisees
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	0	0
Provision	7,349	0	0
Charge-offs	(45)	0	0
Ending balance	7,304	0	0
All Other
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	36,110	39,651	52,064
Provision	35,300	36,974	41,540
Charge-offs	(31,170)	(40,515)	(53,953)
Ending balance	$ 40,240	$ 36,110	$ 39,651