Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$ (1,426,949)	$ (1,247,200)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Maturities of and payments received on available-for-sale securities	436,380	68,013
Principal payments on mortgage loans held for investment, net	24,664	18,098
Purchases of property and equipment	(66,418)	(98,876)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(85,329)	(112,163)
Franchise loans:
Loans funded	(21,377)	(48,013)
Payments received	22,234	34,164
Other, net	3,887	6,079
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	314,041	(132,698)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of Commercial Paper	0	457,576
Proceeds from Issuance of Commercial Paper	0	1,049,062
Repayments of long-term debt	(225,000)	(400,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,346,831	0
Customer banking deposits, net	(326,705)	515,015
Transfer of HRB Bank deposits	(419,028)	0
Dividends paid	(157,530)	(164,905)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered	(1,888,595)	(10,355)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	25,803	16,026
Other, net	(43,972)	(15,993)
Net cash used in financing activities	(688,196)	531,274
Effects of exchange rates on cash	(16,575)	(15,549)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,817,679)	(864,173)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	2,007,190	2,185,307
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	189,511	1,321,134
SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW DATA:
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	157,691	201,374
Interest paid on borrowings	32,772	43,561
Transfers of foreclosed loans to other assets	2,515	3,240
Accrued additions to property and equipment	4,385	1,986
Conversion of investment security	0	5,000
Accrued Purchase Of Common Stock	$ 21,167	$ 0