In the criteria, you are trying to subtract a numeric value from a text string.

=DSum("Debit","ChBudgetQ","ExpenseType='Receipt'") is the control source for the text field that is returning value in the text field. This returns a sum of all the "receipts" in the column. i wanted to subtract that value from the debit total. I see what you mean now, hum i am at a loss of how to accomplish this. The control source for the debit text box is =Sum([Debit])

OK. Put the Debit Total outside the DSum function.

=DSum("Debit","ChBudgetQ","ExpenseType='Receipt'") - DebitTotal

Change DebitTotal to whatever you have named the debit total text box.

You are the man, thank you, that work perfectly.

You're welcome.