Segment Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($) segment	Apr. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment			3
International total net revenue as a percentage of total (less than)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	$ 2,304	$ 2,135	$ 3,940	$ 3,496
Total operating income from continuing operations	1,285	1,066	1,298	868
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense			(200)	(184)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(3)	(3)	(6)	(9)
Goodwill impairment charge	0	(114)	0	(114)
Operating Segments
Financial results by reportable segment
Total operating income from continuing operations	1,596	1,437	2,153	1,745
Corporate, Non-Segment
Financial results by reportable segment
Total operating income from continuing operations	(311)	(371)	(855)	(877)
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(65)	(59)	(197)	(172)
Other common expenses	(238)	(187)	(635)	(560)
Corporate, Non-Segment | Technology-Based Intangible Assets
Unallocated corporate items:
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(5)	(8)	(17)	(22)
Corporate, Non-Segment | Other Intangible Assets
Unallocated corporate items:
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(3)	(3)	(6)	(9)
Small Business segment
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	580	516	1,690	1,560
Total operating income from continuing operations	217	166	627	524
Consumer Tax segment
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	1,598	1,489	1,930	1,759
Total operating income from continuing operations	1,293	1,188	1,327	1,178
Professional Tax segment
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	126	130	320	177
Total operating income from continuing operations	86	83	199	43
Segment Reconciling Items
Unallocated corporate items:
Goodwill impairment charge	$ 0	$ (114)	$ 0	$ (114)