  Magnetocaloric effect (MCE) was investigated in the single crystal of
CsGd(MoO$_4$)$_2$ in the temperature range from 2 to 30 K and fields up to 5 T
applied along the easy and hard magnetic axis. The analysis of specific heat
and magnetization provided the refinement of crystal electric field (CEF)
parameters supporting the dominance of uniaxial symmetry. The knowledge of CEF
energy levels enabled the extrapolation of MCE parameters outside the
experimental region. Consequently, maximum values of the isothermal entropy
change, $-\Delta S_{\rm M}$, in magnetic fields up to 5 T are expected to occur
at temperatures between 1 and 2 K. While $-\Delta S_{\rm M}$ achieves 19.2
J/kgK already for the field 1 T, for the field change 7 T, maximal $-\Delta
S_{\rm M}$ $\approx$ 26.8 J/kgK with a refrigerant capacity of 215 J/kg is
expected. The absence of thermal hysteresis and the losses due to eddy currents
as well as good chemical stability makes the compound CsGd(MoO$_4$)$_2$
attractive for magnetic refrigeration at low temperatures. The possibilities of
further enhancement of MCE parameters are discussed.
