  A search for high-mass resonances decaying into $\tau^{+}\tau^{-}$ final
states using proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}= 8$ TeV produced by the
Large Hadron Collider is presented. The data were recorded with the ATLAS
detector and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 19.5-20.3 fb$^{-1}$. No
statistically significant excess above the Standard Model expectation is
observed; 95% credibility upper limits are set on the cross section times
branching fraction of $Z^{\prime}$ resonances decaying into $\tau^+\tau^-$
pairs as a function of the resonance mass. As a result, $Z^{\prime}$ bosons of
the Sequential Standard Model with masses less than 2.02 TeV are excluded at
95% credibility. The impact of the fermionic couplings on the $Z^{\prime}$
acceptance is investigated and limits are also placed on a $Z^{\prime}$ model
that exhibits enhanced couplings to third-generation fermions.
