Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value Disclosures

The Company uses ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), to measure the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements.

The fair value hierarchy is summarized below:

Level 1:	Fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:	Fair value determined using significant observable inputs, generally either quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices in markets that are not active.
Level 3:	Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs, such as pricing models, discounted cash flows, or similar techniques.

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Toll Brothers, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, and those majority-owned subsidiaries it controls. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in 50% or less owned partnerships and affiliates are accounted for using the equity method unless it is determined that the Company has effective control of the entity, in which case the entity would be consolidated.

Consolidation Policy

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. The October 31, 2013 balance sheet amounts and disclosures included herein have been derived from the Company’s October 31, 2013 audited financial statements. Since the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements, the Company suggests that they be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of April 30, 2014, the results of its operations for the six-month and three-month periods ended April 30, 2014 and 2013, and its cash flows for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2014 and 2013. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts.” The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2017 and, at that time the Company may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method and impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” (“ASU 2014-08”), which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing disclosures in this area. Pursuant to ASU 2014-08, only disposals representing a strategic shift, such as a major line of business, a major geographical area or a major equity investment, should be presented as a discontinued operation. If the disposal does qualify as a discontinued operation under ASU 2014-08, the entity will be required to provide expanded disclosures. ASU 2014-08 is effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, “Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors” (“ASU 2014-04”), which clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan has occurred. By doing so, this guidance helps determine when the creditor should derecognize the loan receivable and recognize the real estate property. ASU 2014-04 is effective prospectively for the Company beginning November 1, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-04 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 is intended to end inconsistent practices regarding the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is available to reduce the taxable income or tax payable that would result from the disallowance of a tax position. ASU 2013-11 is effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2014. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.