There is no deadline. However after a certain point you won't be eligible for a refund or to make certain elections. And after a certain point, the IRS may not be able to collect on a non-fraudulent error you made, but you are welcome to pay anyway just in case you are being considered for a cabinet position.
If you did something fraudulent and want to come clean, it is best to get the 1040X filed before the IRS starts investigating.
If you forgot to claim a deduction, you have until three years after the original due date of the return (assuming you filed on time and didn't make any payments after the due date). You have seven years to claim a worthless security or a bad debt.
If you want to recharacterize an IRA contribution or take a corrective distribution, you have until the extended due date of your return (assuming you filed on time or filed an extension on time).
If you want to switch from a joint return to a separate return, the deadline is the original due date of your return.
There are a lot of different deadlines for a lot of different problems. You are always free to file, but it may or may not do you any good.
**Note: The above a federal deadlines. State deadlines may vary.***
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