Segment Information (Continuing Operations By Reportable Operating Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 2,301,370	$ 509,074	$ 134,628	$ 133,586	$ 2,562,990	$ 199,770	$ 134,340	$ 127,195	$ 3,078,658	$ 3,024,295	$ 2,905,943
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES	1,210,059	(90,865)	(200,573)	(175,816)	1,478,797	(347,825)	(179,362)	(184,494)	742,805	767,116	702,011
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS	4,515,420				4,693,529				4,515,420	4,693,529	4,537,779
Tax Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									3,056,299	2,999,460	2,877,967
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES									823,236	866,367	821,143
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS	2,978,506				2,945,242				2,978,506	2,945,242	3,012,525
Tax Services | U.S. assisted
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									1,865,438	1,794,043	1,712,319
Tax Services | International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									207,772	200,152	220,870
Tax Services | U.S. DIY
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									231,854	206,516	189,341
Tax Services | Tax preparation fees:
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									2,305,064	2,200,711	2,122,530
Tax Services | Royalties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									292,743	316,153	318,386
Tax Services | Revenues from refund transfers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									171,094	181,394	158,176
Tax Services | Revenues from Emerald Card®
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									103,300	103,730	98,896
Tax Services | Revenues from Peace of Mind® Extended Service Plan
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									81,551	89,685	71,355
Tax Services | Interest and fee income on Emerald Advance
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									57,202	56,877	59,657
Tax Services | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									45,345	50,910	48,967
Corporate and eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									22,359	24,835	27,976
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES									(80,431)	(99,251)	(119,132)
Tax Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS	$ 1,536,914				$ 1,748,287				$ 1,536,914	$ 1,748,287	$ 1,525,254